Focusing on Positivity

I tweeted this last night: "Sometimes the wisest words come from the most unexpected sources #lifeadvice #staypositive #staystrong #stayfocused" because I had a conversation with an old friend that I know from high school and it's funny what can start as a superficial conversation (for lack of a better term) that turns into something deep and meaningful.

I'm not going to post the whole conversation (partially because I only have a part of it, partially because this isn't their blog and I doubt they want things on blast but if they want credit, I'd be more than happy to give them the shoutout), but I will post some of it. Also, there is some religious discussion but I think this applies to everyone, religious or not. It's hard sometimes to be a decent human being and I think this is what that boils down to.

We were discussing that we've been going through some struggles, some of the the struggles of everyday life, some of the larger, more impactful struggles (sidenote: everything, no matter how small, always has an effect, an impact, but there are differences in the struggles). That sometimes you lose your way but the key is to notice, fix it and get back on track.

Here's what they said that really hit home and I think a lot of people need to hear:

"Everyone needs people. Different ones for different situations. An army, if you will. People to bring positivity and light to the dark days. Keep you energetic and powerful on the good days. You can rise and fall on the daily. Who you have in your circle of support will determine how you handle situations. Humans aren't made to be alone. God created man, then he created woman from man. To be together. A team. United. Let him be the circle... and only allow those who truly know and appreciate you for who you are inside the circle. Love and pray. Give thanks for those in the circle. And always smile. [...] I hope you continue with your journey. And that you are happy with yourself and thankful for all you have."

Which really hit home. Who you surround yourself with is everything. They can fill you with joy, energy, and happiness or they can fill you with anger, sadness, and despair. The worst thing a person can do to you, is make you feel alone when you are actually with someone. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you need isolation, you need to focus on yourself and just do you - you can't expect someone else to create your truth or your happiness. What you can do though, is once you've built yourself up, is find people that build on that foundation. People that offer support, that you can offer back. Friendship isn't a one way street but sometimes you need someone more than they need you at a certain moment in life or vice versa.

I like to think of myself as a mostly positive person. I'm sometimes an asshole that is extremely sarcastic, but typically happy and optimistic. However, I've noticed lately that sometimes a bunch of little things tend to go wrong and they build and build and what happens is I lose that happiness, positivity, and energy. We've all been there. What we don't all have is someone to lean on. So I offer up the idea that if you need someone to listen, someone to lean on, someone to help pick you up - even if we talked yesterday, last month, last year, or ten years ago - reach out. Nobody should ever feel alone.

My mom sent me this the other day when I was feeling discouraged and I think it applies nicely here.