“Minds, my mind and yours, are run by the same principles. We are not unique. We mirror what is around us. If we walk into a red room, we become red. If we are always in a group of angry people, it is hard not to become angry. If we are with someone who is clear, our mind reflects that back and we become clearer. ~Natalie Goldberg

When was the last time you read or saw something positive in the media? Everywhere we look is doom and gloom. It’s quite rare to find a happy news article, not sure why. Couldn’t we all use a little happiness with all that is going on in the world? What would happen if the media turned itself around and started reporting on the positive aspects of life? Might the masses develop hope and turn their outlook towards the positive?

Tune the news out. It’s propaganda and only someone’s opinion or view of the world. Not too sure about the idea? Try it for a day or two and feel the difference it makes to your outlook. Seek the positive in your life. Look at the challenges as gifts that allow for personal and spiritual growth. Find what is really important to you. Give gratitude for all that you do have in your life.

Being negative or surrounded by negativity creates unnecessary stress, depression, fear and anxiety. This blocks the natural flow of life. We can physically feel it in our bodies; we tighten up which obstructs the flow of energy within our bodies. We become out of balance. Dis-ease develops. What happens within reflects outward. It becomes contagious. Spread the positive, happy, joyous energy that is within us all.  Don’t sell your Self short or “sell your soul to the devil”.

“Never doubt for a minute that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed it has never happened any other way.” ~Margaret Mead

The following story by Paulo Coelho sums it up nicely:

Hard Times by Paulo Coelho

A man was selling oranges in the middle of a road. He was illiterate, so he never read newspapers. He put some signs along the road and spent the whole day praising the flavor of his wares.

Everyone bought from him and the man thrived. With the money he placed more signs on the road and began to sell more fruit. Business was growing fast when one day his son – who was educated and had studied in a big city – asked him:

- Father, don’t you know that the world is going through very hard times? The economy of the country is in an awful state!

Worried by this, the man reduced the number of signs and began to sell fruit of inferior quality because it was cheaper. Sales slumped immediately.

“My son is right,” he thought. “Times are very hard.”

Related post: “What If?”