Staying Positive, Being Happy and Living.

   

       

To me being happy is a sign of success in life. I know I'm a positive and naturally optimistic person but I'm not sure I've always been. I think a few things that have happened to me and those that I love have ultimately changed my mindset. We all get caught up in the daily routine of life, we become worn out, overworked, bogged down and stressed. This can give us a negative outlook on life, but I find being a negative person sucks the joy out of living and this can also touch the lives of those around us. 

    As you know there have been some events in my life that could have broken me for ever. Take Eloise's transplant for example, I could have wasted the last 15 years being incredibly sorry, angry , upset, depressed etc. Off course these emotions filter past at intervals but I don't allow them to stay too long. I've chosen to react positively and I now enjoy every single day. What you see on social media is my life and it's bloody fantastic. Of course I still feel pain, I'm not numb and finding out yesterday that my transplant world had lost Andrew hit me hard. I cried and cried, a trip to the gym was no longer an option and it was replaced with a candle lit bath and time to reflect and compose. Tears continue to threaten this morning but I'll get up and put my lipstick on ready for this new day. Andrew would want us all to continue enjoying every extra day of life we are given. 

  I'll continue to try to see things and people in a positive light. It's not always an easy thing to do, it's hard turning negative emotions into positive ones sometimes. I think it's worth the effort to change your mindset though. 

One of the things I do is live in a "happy bubble" possibly called ignorance ! I've chosen to cut out as much negativity as I can so I can deal with my day to day life. I often take a break from listening to the news, if I'm finding it too much. I can't watch aggressive or violent programmes, even to the point I can't tolerate idiots arguing on The Apprentice. I have a low tolerance to noise so all the arguing on reality shows etc puts me on edge. I choose to turn off the TV, not read magazines, close down FaceBook during tedious arguments etc. As these things can effect my positive outlook. This is the same with friends, colleagues and acquaintances, sometimes I have to create a distance for a short time. As I find it hard when people are bringing each other down, I like to build them up. To be able to stay positive it is essential I have influences in my life that support me and lift me up instead of dragging me down. I think what you send out matters a lot. What you give others and how you treat them is what you'll get back (usually) so I like to spread positivity......sorry if it makes you nauseated ! 

Exercise has done a lot for my emotional health and happiness more so than my physical health but that's slow work in progress and I'm happier on the whole with my appearance. Body confidence is the key and that's a mindset I'm trying to get myself into. A good nights sleep also helps, in fact when I'm sad like last night I tend to go to sleep really early. I have to hide away as I've had enough for that day. When I have a lot of thoughts or I'm feeling pessimistic sleep or exercise have a big positive impact on how I feel. I always put my lipstick on in the morning ready to smile. Smiling is so important to me. A genuine smile reaches my eyes and it's a good thing. When I smile at someone I like to think I made them feel happier even if it's temporary., if they smile back that makes me happy. Just something so quick and simple to do.

   It's not always easy maintaining a positive outlook as life throws some horrendous things at you but I know remaining positive during tough times has been more constructive for me. My positive attitude has given me strength to keep going. I work hard and hope for better days when I'm going through a tough period in my life. Of course I don't force optimistic thinking on myself while I'm in emotional turmoil or shocked. I just give myself space and time to process my thoughts and feelings first.

I try to start my day in a positive way, lucky Instagram followers who eagerly await my #goodmorningpost  (joke) I think it just sets me up for the rest of my day. I always start the day with a few tunes picked for the day from Spotify, loving my time capsule of 90's music right now. As a result of having a potentially life limited child I live very much in the present moment it's easier that way. I can stay positive for a day at a time, looking too far ahead makes me scared and my worries increase. I find it easier to connect with the moment and give it my full attention, that's why the little things in life are so important to me.

  Just because I'm positive and often found in my happy bubble doesn't mean that I've lost touch with reality. I don't avoid dealing with the negative events in my life I just don't let them take over my mind or day to day living. I just choose to focus on the positive aspects in order to keep going. If I dwell too much on the past I will miss out on better days. As one of my transplant family said yesterday " Make Every Day Count" 

                             

      As Mary Poppins would say or sing "A Spoonful of Sugar helps the Medicine go down. In a most delightful way." 

To Andrew a true gent who helped me believe that I'm doing ok in life and gave me hope for Eloise's future. Fly high Sir. I will try to carry on being "practically perfect."