When our thoughts are positive, our hearts will be too
Why is it always easier to remember a persons negative comments? Day two of my Blogtober challenge asks me to write about something somebody told me that I have never forgotten.
As I lay mulling the question over in bed last night a million past criticisms flew through my mind. I could remember them all so clearly, it seemed as if they’d been uttered yesterday. As with any unwanted thought, my inner peace becomes severely threatened if I give so much of a seconds lingering ponder to the nasty little gremlin. It took conscious effort and self-restraint for me to pretend my mind was a rolodex casually flipping past unwanted memories until it selected the right one.
The power of conscious thought is so much stronger than our ‘Monkey Minds’. In hindsight, I can counteract every negative comment my rolodex memory threw at me with a positive one. As soon as my focus latched on to one positive comment more began to flood the system. I had seen the enemy approaching, armoured myself and won the battle.
“One day you’ll be just a memory to some people. Do your best to be a good one” – Unknown
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines the word ‘inspiration’ as being: “Someone or something that gives you ideas for doing something” or “Someone that people admire and want to be like”. Who would want to be like me?
Before I came travelling I spent a lovely evening with a group of friends at a local pub. I remember feeling slightly overwhelmed with the turn out – I was more ‘popular’ and loved than my mind had liked me to believe at the time. During the course of the evening I became emotional when discussing my imminent departure from everything I had ever known. My self-doubt was offset when a friend told me I was “one of the most inspirational people” she knew. An inspiration? Why?
It appears dedication to my favourite bands, climbing mountains, recovering from heartbreak and travelling solo are all inspiring to my friends.
To do good things in the world, first you must know who you are and what gives meaning to your life.
Travelling has helped me reconnect with myself. I have rediscovered inspirations, goals and ambitions long forgotten. How can I help with wildlife conservation? Where can I utilise my skills best to help children in need? My friend has no idea of the impact her comment made on me – in fact she has probably forgotten she even said it. But as a result I am consciously striving to try and make at least one positive impact per day for someone/something.
So THANK YOU Jiggers – for giving me my own daily inspiration just because I get to call you my friend!
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