Affirmations.

​I expect it’s happened to you as well at some point – you are into a week of your life, and a whole number of things start to feel as though they are falling apart.  In our family unit this week, we are dealing with dying, with employment, with even having to get a crown put on a tooth.  It’s possible to have a whole host of other challenges that come forward, that seem to almost invite us to look down, to become frustrated, or even to roll into some kind of funk or depression.  How could things get worse?  How am I going to get out of this mess?  Why is this happening to me right now, right here?  Can’t I go back in time to when my life was joyful and hopeful?
Well, I’d like to offer you three thoughts – three affirmations, as it were, to help you through what you might be going through right now, or at least to keep, and think about when that time comes, which unfortunately, always does come at some point… I think it is helpful even to say these affirmations out loud.

1.  I am going to have a good, strong day.  The quality of this day of life is not going to be dictated by external happenings, no matter how good or bad they may be.  This is perhaps a keystone of what I have written about over the last thirteen months.  In the absence of intending how my day is going to go, I will then leave it up to living accidentally, allowing anything to affect and change the direction of my life, and again, the quality of my living.  This is a key weakness in the lives of most humans – they spend all their time reacting to external happenings, instead of living out of the deep well of hope and joy that should fill their lives.  Once you and I figure out this secret, that we start with having a good strong day, then the “slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune” will not claim our present or our future.
2. I will use today as a possibility.  I will direct my energy, not toward a negative, complaining lifestyle, but toward hope.  What’s the best thing that could happen today?  How well do you exercise the muscle of hope in your heart and mind?  The fact is, in our world today, especially in the news, the social media, and even the interaction with others, we have nurtured a negative, pessimistic view of the present and the future.  Certainly, the economy, and the pandemic, and even the politics of our nation and our world have fed into that approach to our lives.  However, it’s also true that the media seems to run these days on the fuel of finding the worst in the world.  It’s like loudspeakers have been set up to flood our entire lives with negative – again, from disease to politics to race relations to international conflict to economics – it is almost easier to just drown in the deep pool of what is wrong, than to stand firm on what is possible, that truly is hopeful for us and for our families.  Negative thinking is a habit, like biting your fingernails, or using curse words – it’s not necessary, and it’s not helpful, and it’s not something you and I need to spend any time whatsoever.
3. It’s not what happens to you that matters – it’s what you do with what happens to you.  I’ve shared this final affirmation before – frankly, and honestly, as we live our lives, sometimes we get served up a huge bowl of lima beans (I hate lima beans!).  That is, there will always be uncomfortable and challenging, and just bad stuff that enters our world.  The key to living with power and hope in our lives is not to let that overwhelm, or set the tempo or song list for you.  Yes, there will be bad things like death, disease, money problems, or family squabbles, or other things.  However, the core to an intentional, integrated life comes as we take charge in how we respond to what happens to us.  If all we do is live reacting to everything that occurs, then again, it’s as if we get in the car, put a blindfold on, and start driving.  It’s possible we will make it through ok, but more likely it is that we will just keep banging into things, because we have failed to be thoughtful, or respond-sible.  Deep breath, count to ten, go to a happy place – whatever it takes, but take charge of what’s next.  Don’t let it take charge of you.
4. (I’ll give you a bonus…) Maybe the sky isn’t falling, Chicken – maybe it’s only an acorn that fell on your head.  The classic children’ story of Chicken Little remains true today.  It’s possible, with a little bit of effort, to blow things way out of proportion, and to hook others into the same fear, anxiety and reactivity.  Instead of joining the gang of Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky or Goosey Loosey, why not be the one to stand in the way of all that, and invite a thoughtful approach, believing that, indeed, the sky isn’t falling, and won’t fall – it’s just an acorn, whatever that acorn is for your own life.

I do hope and pray that your life right now is full of joy and anticipation, but if you are struggling, or know someone who is, please feel free to at least think about and consider these affirmations for our lives.  The world is good – and so are you.
 
Word for the day:  rhathymia.  Pronounced ruh-THIGH-mee-uh.  Whenever a word begins with “rh,” you can almost bet it is Greek word.  This one is no different.  When you break down the word, knowing that “ia” stands for the state of something, like amnesia, or such, then the other two Greek pieces are rha, which means “easy” and thymos, which means “spirit, mind, or courage.”  Someone who has rhathymia, therefore, is someone who is optimistic, or has a carefree spirit, or who expresses light-hearted behavior.  They are happy, and always are looking on the sunny side of the street.