God, how I cannot stand to hear that when I am in the middle of difficult circumstances or situations. Then my ego slips into its diva part: “You can talk easily because you are not in that situation. You have no idea how that really feels.” The tricky thing is that my ego cannot convince me anymore. I simply have no excuses. I know exactly that when I dig into the mud I will only find more mud. But sometimes mud is what I need…
Sometimes I simply want to dig into the mud. I feel the need to really look at the issue and yes, to dig into the mud as deeply as possible. Because I notice that I already turned away for far too long. No suppressing anymore. I want to be angry. The volcano is finally at the point to erupt because too much stuff accumulated over time. It is time to look at it, to dig myself completely into it, to scream it out, to cry, to speak out what I forbid myself for far too long. Those are the moments when we stop lying to ourselves and confess how we actually perceived a situation but disavowed it. Our anger helps that we are not afraid anymore to look at the whole thing and to name it in order to finally relieve ourselves.
Positive thinking is often misunderstood. It is not about ignoring. It doesn’t mean turning away from how things are and pretending it is all good when it simply isn’t. Thinking positive doesn’t mean living in a dream world and using it as a tool for excusing yourself to deal with the inevitable or for not taking responsibility. But things are as they are. We will reach that moment when finally everything is getting too much and we need that explosion in order to free ourselves from that misunderstanding and be ourselves again. Misunderstanding positive thinking is like swallowing something we don’t like again and again. At one point we feel that gag reflex but we try to avoid throwing up as long as possible… until the pressure gets too big. Very often we don’t even realize that we are suppressing things. We think: “It is ok, I can handle this, I am not a softy. I am supposed to do it. I cannot say No. I am too afraid to change something.” But the mind can say what it wants. As long as we don’t feel it, we don’t believe what the mind tries to convince us. The pressure is building up.
Once you realize that you got tricked by using the positivity tool against you then go and dig, help yourself and make things bigger for a moment (only for that moment!) in order to support breaking that suffocating shell. Dig into the mud consciously as deeply as possible until you reach the rock. That is the moment when you realize that you hit rock bottom. It doesn’t go any deeper. You sit down and pause and all of a sudden get calmer. Like after a thunderstorm suddenly it gets lighter again. Things appear differently. Solutions or ways show up. You look up and see that there is only one way to go – upwards. Relieved from the burden and empowered by the insight you rise again! Now, you are able to look at the situation from a higher perspective and now you are able to really think positively because you liberated yourself from a lie you lived.
Thinking positively means looking at how things are now and finding a way to deal with them. Thinking positive means not losing faith that one day you will be through it which actually gives you the power to go through it. Thinking positively makes you see the situation behind the situation. This gives you the ability to find something in it which helps you to solve it or to show you how to move on. Positive thinking doesn’t mean bowing and accepting what others do to you or expect you to do. It doesn’t mean that you have to smile when even inside you are crying rivers. Positive thinking is knowing that there is always a way. Look at where you want to go to. The signs are there! Take yourself seriously and stay true to yourself. You matter!
In Love and Light
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I love the “Every day might not be good” quote…:)
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That statement shifts our point of view which is the important thing in changing our feelings in order to stand tall and empower ourselves! Thank you very much for reading, Sam!
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Definitely. I am enjoying your posts. Keep sharing and have a good evening 🙂
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Thanks a lot. Enjoy your evening too, Sam 😊
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I adore this♡ I recently used the screaming method when I lost my job but I’m still kicking.
I recently wrote a blog similar to this if you would like to check it out. Thanks again for the read:)
http://wp.me/p8kihx-Q
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Beautiful post, thank you.
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Haha, thank you very much, Salome. Thinking positive doesn’t mean refusing to see what is but to make the best of it. Have a lovely day 😊
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I love love this because every single thing you have said there is the centre of my thoughts these days and you put it all in words like you read my mind. I couldn’t agree with it more! I’ve been reflecting a lot and this is exactly what I’ve realised as well. Everything becomes easier to endure when you have a positive thinking. It doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to feel your pain or you can’t cry, it just means you have to keep hoping for better things to come and have faith 😇
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Yes, that is is exactly what I think about it. We shall feel life but that doesn’t mean we need to be unhappy or frustrated. There are challenging, sad, and unfortunately terrible things happening. But that must never ever extinguish the flame inside which always lightens our path towards a better tomorrow! Thank you so very much, Zee. I am humbled that you shared your feelings about this so openely here. Feel strongly hugged 💖
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I’m slowly but surely learning to be be open about a lot of things. I guess you have to confront things to really come in terms with it and accept everything so you can move on for better things in life. It’s a long way coming and a long way to go but I do feel I’m on the right path after a long time 😊
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“Nobody said, it would be easy….” but that doesn’t mean it is wrong (that reminds me actually of your statement lately… lol). You totally nailed it here, Zee. We need to risk that we get bruises and scars but at least it is our way, our decision, our life! It is the only way to find out how being alive really feels in walking towards the direction we feel …. nobody is walking in our shoes but we!
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Couldn’t have said it any better than you Erika. You have to own your scars and bruises and don them like a warrior. Our scars is what makes us who we are. We are all nothing less than a warrior ! 😇😊
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You nailed it: our bruises and scars make us the uniquely developed bing we are! We are warriors…. warriors of light!
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An interesting way of looking at things, Erika. Great post.
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Thank you, I alwas try to look at things from as many sides as possible. I am terribliy curious…. lol!
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Very wise words and an interesting way of looking at things. I think we all get into that cycle and feel positive means not dealing with things! excellent xx
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Yes, it often is used as an escape. But there comes the time when we realize that we cannot escape ourselves… Thank you so much, Lynn!
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🙂 xxx
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It’s taken a while, but I’ve learnt how I deal with things best. When my dad died, for instance, to the people around me, I withdrew completely for a day or so. I didn’t talk unless it was essential, and I immersed myself in my grief. But I already knew that this was what I needed to do. And I knew that, even in this dark time, things would be better and I just had to ride it out. Five years on, I still miss my dad, but it isn’t painful and I enjoy my life. But I really believe that I had to go through that awful grief first. Smiling and trying to be positive at the time wouldn’t have allowed me to heal.
Your post has provoked a lot of reflection here, Erika, for me and others. And I guess that was the intention. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes, exactly! We are here to feel – to feel with all senses! Those feelings are tools to help us grow. When we deny the feelings we get stuck and progress needs more time…. also the painful time is only stretched. Everybody has their own way of dealing with grief and everybody needs to be allowed to deal with it the way they feel. Thank you so much for sharing your experience here, Graeme. I hope many read it!
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“It is what it is”. How many times have I said that to myself this past year. Accepting but not giving up. And just when things seem insurmountable I shift the focus and eventually the light comes in again. Thanks for this inspiring post Erica.
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Thank you very much for sharing your own experience with us here. That is of such great value. It is hard when in the middle. But the only way to get through it is to keep our head up high to see the exit.
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So very true Erica.
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😊💖
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Erika, you perfectly described what actually optimism is.. 😀
Optimism is not mere a word, but a practice which need to be exercised too often, to be get mastered at.
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Yes, optimism is not denying what is but finding a constructive way of dealing with what is! Thank you for your comment 😊
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Thank you for this wonderfully inspirational post. 🙂
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I am the one to be thankful that you took the time for reading and commenting, Debbie! Thank you so much for your kind comment. I am happy you liked it 😊
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🙂
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Great post, Erika! This was a perfect read for Monday!
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Thank you, Lisa. I am always glad when the thoughts I share seem to make sense 😄
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Thank you for this positive charge to Monday! A great way to get this week going! We need to carry this attitude with us daily.
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I believe so or at least we need to remember it when the pressure builds up! Thank you, Sylvester! Very appreciated!
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Do the best that we can. You’re welcome, Erika!
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Here we are again… so true! Very much appreciated, Sylvester!
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It’s all good!
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☺😊☺
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A great Monday post sis!!!
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Thank you very, very much, Sis! Just thought about the misuse of positve thinking for not taking responsibility for our actions – consciously or unconsciously! Glad you liked it, Sis!
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I love all your posts sis!!! 😊😍
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You are biased, Sis 😘 😘 😘
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😜😍😍😍
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😁😁😘
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Wow for a powerful and thoughtful post Erika 🙂
It is not, that we never feel bad, but about finding the way out and up again, that shows our strength and positive minding.
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Right! That is what life is about, isn’t it? A constant getting stronger and more experienced in finding ways to overcome or solve issues!
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I agree Erika 🙂
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😊
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Reblogged this on jemsbooks and commented:
A profound and insightful post by Erika Kind that will reverberate across your mind and soul. Thank you, Erika, for this wonderful post!
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Positive thinking is what we all need, Erika! Thank you for sharing your profound thoughs in this wonderful post! It hit home with me. We all get down in life but it’s how we turn that around and rise above it that matters. You are exceptionally perceptive. Blessings & hugs to you! 😆
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Hi, Janice! I am thankful it spoke to you. As you say, things happen and it is how we deal with what happens. That defines how our life feels like. There is always another way and another day. Always! But we cna only see it when we look into that direction. Trying to bury what we really feel and label it positve thinking only makes things worse. Thank you so much for your kind word. Have a lovely and blessed day, Janice 💖
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Such a great piece of writing here Erika, one I fully understand.. I sometimes think that those of us who try to think on the positive side are often tested as a result. I know my hubby is always throwing me that sideways glance to remind me which head I have on 🙂
And its ok too, to dig and wallow around in that mud for a while too. It shows us we are still learning, evolving as we unearth new aspects of ourselves we still have to bring to the surface and clear away.
I for too long wore a mask, afraid of giving vent to those ‘feelings’ But you know we all have emotions for a reason and I learnt the hard way, to bury them for too long down deep means they gather more pressure, so that when I did finally erupt I sent my whole world flying ( nervous breakdown ) that not only shook me to my root, but all those around me too..
Now I punch the odd pillow, 🙂 or two.. 🙂 as I let off steam…. knowing its far better out than smouldering in the depths waiting to explode..
A brilliant post to start my day, reminding me again to pace myself and that I am no wonder woman ..
Love and blessings for a great new week ..
Sue 🙂
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That all sounds so familiar, Sue! So often we believe we have to act, be, think, behave in a particular way and don’t realize that it is against our nature until the inner tension makes us realize it. No one of us is a Superhero who is always aligned and centered. Things happen which throw us out of our vortex in order to learn from them how to get our balance again. Sometimes it needs a nervous breakdown to see that. We are all sitting in the same boat. And that makes it easier to confess that we are no Superheroes. At least it helped me to stand behind my “imperfections” (at least more than I used to… lol) Thank you, Sue!
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Which is why we learn from our mistakes, and why no one I have ever met yet is perfect.. 🙂 I often tell people that this is Earth School and why we came to learn.. 😉
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Exactly a place to study – a boarding school!
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Yes exactly 🙂 ❤
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This is was so good! Such a beautiful piece of work! Loved it!
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Hi Meher, I am thankful you feel that way about it. Thank you very much!
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True thoughts…expressed in a well written, powerful way! Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Joy, thank you very much. I am happy you feel that way. It is so important to not misunderstand what positive thinking means. Have an amazing day 😊
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Great Post Erika. Such an important life message there. Dealing with “less than perfect” situations can be very difficult for some people, but understanding what a positive attitude is (and is not) is the first step to a more rewarding life (together of course with the ever present power of choice). 🙂
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Right! What is positive for us doesn’t need to be positive for someone else. The “less perfect” situations are those we grow on, don’t we? Thank you very much, Colin! Your comments are always very appreciated. Have a good day!
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Fantastic! Such a powerful post!
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Thank you so much, Krista. I am happy you feel that way! Have a lovely day 💖
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What a powerful piece of writing, Erika. I was moved by your words, and stuck on that first graphic, a beautiful image of the pain behind the mask. Many of us were conditioned from a very young age to present ourselves to the world with a face that denied our true emotion. It was survival. It took decades, and many trips to that rock-hard bottom, to discover who and what we really are. The journey is personal, involves struggle, but always worth the effort.
A brilliant Monday post, as usual. 💘 ( I have to find out what you are eating over the weekend☺)
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😄😄 You are so funny, Van! Acutally I am preparing those posts days or even a week ahead in order to give myself time to still work over it when something comes to my mind to add or edit!
Thank you for this wonderful comment, Van! It is as you say. Many are conditioned to fit in and to bury themselves in order to be the ones they are told to be. Positive thinking then results in denying themselves even more. The way out of that misunderstanding is one of the liberating insights we can get. A personal path as you say. Thank you so very much for always taking the time for reading and leaving such valuable lines. Have a wonderful day 💖
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These are very thoughtful, I was pretty sure you didn’t whip them out quickly. Thanks, Erika. ☺
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Some flow just so and some flow a bit longer…. lol 💖💖
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Fantastic post, Erika! And now that you said it, all the things do catch up as some sort of a “gag reflex”. Just two hours back, I was telling the fiance as how somehow I am surrounded by whiners over the last two weeks. Everyone I know has been going through some rough patch. But unlike what you been saying, they refuse to do anything about it. Because they are either lazy, or non-confrontational or simply finding excuses. And that is annoying.
I don’t care if it is the worst crisis of your life or a lizard infestation in your bathroom – You ain’t getting my sympathy for long if you don’t even attempt to do something about it. You cannot reach the shores by just being the ballast – you also have to be the tiller, the hull and the mast.
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Aweseome, Prajakta! Another amazing and powerful comment. I agree with what you said. But as I experienced it myself sometimes I didn’t even notice that I turned away. I thought that I would do something about it but it was only a backing out until life made me realize it. Sometimes we need to be pushed again and again until we finally see that we have to take action or at least look at the situation. In the end, as you said: We need to be the whole vessel in order to reach the other shore! It needs clear people like you who make others see what they are doing unconsciously. They might not realize that they won’t ever solve something the way they are dealing with it by now. That was such a profound statement, Prajakta. Thank you very much! Btw. may I quote you once with your last sentence?
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So true! Often, we need to be driven into a corner before we shake ourselves and look around. And we do need that helping shove in the right direction.
And it is an honour that you would want to quote me 🙂 Thank you so much!
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Oh, wonderful! Thank you very much, Prajakta! The honor is mine 😊
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Excellent thoughts here Erika!
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Thank you very much, Nicodemas. Positive thinking is often misunderstood and then it can make everthing worse!
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Yes, for sure.
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😊
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Thanks for the uplifting words Erika 😉
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You are very welcome, Charles! Always keep your eyes towards the light!
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That’s for sure
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😉 😊
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Thinking positive is just a way of finding out how to do something tomorrow we couldn’t find a way to do today. Giving up isn’t acceptable.
xxx Massive Hugs Erika xxx
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That is such an awesome definition, David! May I save your statement and use it for a quote once?
Definitely: Giving up is not an option! Thank you for this powerful comment, David!!!
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very sad – “When a volcano erupts, people get surprised, but it is a volcano! There is no ‘place’ for the surprise! The biggest problem with people is that they are not serious about the matters of life and death! Be serious or alternatively lose your existence!”
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Thank you, Mihran.
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