Positivity Takes Strength

"Don't mistake my kindness for weakness." Al Capone

 I am a believer in the power of positivity. I always have been. It's not just some "pie in the sky" ideology (though that is probably how it started), it's science. As we get to understand the human brain, studies are showing us that our minds function better when we are happy and not full of stress. So it's not that I just want to think about rainbows and unicorns. Science tells us that we can do more when are brains are happy.

 But positivity is not easy. It can be hard work. Positivity takes strength. But if you put in the work...it's worth it.  

 Positivity Takes Intention:   Most of what we see in the world is negative. As a matter of fact, studies tell us nearly 90% of what we see in the world and in the media is negative! It's not that people are bad...it's science. For thousands of years, our brains have been trained to do it to keep us alive. It's biological. But that constant need to find "the bad" is not serving us well today. There are not tigers around every corner.  

 Now we need to train our brains to look for the positive. We need to seek it out. The good news is, once we start to actively look for the good, it will show up more often. It's like when you buy a red toyota and then it seems you see them everywhere. You have told the subconscious mind that they are important. So it starts to point them out. That's what happens with good things. When you start to look for them, you see them everywhere.

 Positivity Takes Strength:  Because most of what you see is negative (and the same is true for everyone) it takes strength to be the one that points it out. We have, what feels like, the whole world working against it. From the 11 o'clock news (seriously why does anyone watch that anymore?) having story after story of fires and shootings, to your social media filled with complaining, you will feel like you are swimming upstream. You have to choose, every day, to look for the good. It's hard work.  

 And the reality is, there will be resistance. There will be the people, that when you post something good that you see, will argue with you. They will push back. They will rain on your parade. It takes strength and perseverance to keep spreading the positive message when it seems that no one wants to hear it. 

 Positivity Takes Teamwork:  And that's why it takes teamwork. When you decide to be more positive in your life, you might feel alone. It might feel like everyone is working against you. I get it. But there are others who want the same thing. Connect with them. Build them up and let them do the same for you.  

 We have this in Coshocton County right now. We have a great core of people working to move the community in a good direction. But with any progress, there is pain. And when that pain comes, there will be a group of people that want to tear that progress down. It's frustrating...but it's natural.

 That's why the teamwork is so important. When you are creating a positive future, you are not alone. It might feel like it...but you are not. That's why it takes strength, not weakness, to be kind.

 Keep up the good fight my friends. No matter where you are, pushing out positive is hard. It takes strength and perseverance.  

 But it's worth it.

This article was originally posted at HassemanMarketing.com. You can find new content there every day here.