If you are sick and tired to death of my FEEL GOOD POSTS every day, no worries! I am done with the daily "feel good posts." I did it! I completed my goal. I posted what I called "Feel Good" posts once a day every day of February. I gave fair warning in the beginning that it may make you sick of me - I am sorry if it did. But hopefully you enjoyed the posts and they made you feel... GOOD!
To tell you the truth, I was worried that this might be hard to do. I wasn't sure I would be able to find one good and fun thing to post every day for 28 days in a row. But you know what? It was surprisingly easy! I had more fun posts than I could even share. They came to me more easily than I can describe. And I think that can only be attributed to one thing - I was looking for them. If we look for the goodness in this world, it is there. In fact, it is right under our noses! We just have to look for it. And call me crazy, but after making this proclamation 28 days ago, I have noticed a lot more FUN stuff being shared by my friends. I am sure it has nothing to do with me, and they are just tired of all the negativity, as well. Whatever the reason, it feels so much better than listening to political rants. Just sayin'. And let's face it - all political rants are negative and offensive to SOMEONE.
Which brings me to my next point. Did you know it is a scientific fact we hear the negative in life a zillion times more loud and clear than the we hear the positive? That is a powerful concept. When I first heard this, I was a bit stunned. I thought, "How can this be true?" But it is true. I'll give you an example...
A motivational speaker can get up and talk to a group of people. Fifty people can come up to this speaker afterwards and share how much they loved every word of what was said. One person can come up and say how they didn't appreciate any of it and how it was not what they were looking for. In that motivational speaker's mind, it isn't the fifty compliments that will resonate. It is that ONE NEGATIVE comment that will get stuck inside the speaker's head. Even though FIFTY OTHER comments were POSITIVE! It is always the negative we hear and think about.
So that is why I think being mindful is so important. It is why I think we all need to look for the goodness this life has to offer. It is why I believe words matter. It is why I have decided to keep working at spreading love and joy and kindness to as many people as I possibly can. I am calling it "The Kindness Project." Frankly, now is the absolute perfect time to continue spreading love, joy and kindness. Lent is here!
For Lent this year, I am going to do something I have never in my life been able to do before. I am going to pray for my enemies. Every day. In fact, we are going to do this as a family for Lent. Not that we have a lot of enemies, but there are certainly people who don't like us. I think everyone has a few of these folks in their lives. It certainly won't be easy, this I know for a fact. But it is kind and good and what Jesus Himself asked us to do. I never understood His concept until this year, at this time in my life. Before, I couldn't see how it was possible to pray for my "enemies."
Being the target of hate and negativity can do wonders for perspective, though. My eyes and heart have been opened the past few months in ways I did not anticipate. It is obvious the world needs more love, plain and simple. It is obvious that good does exist. In fact, underneath my crazy and strong, sometimes offensive personality, even I myself am good. Yes, I have goodness to offer. Being a conservative Trump-loving Republican doesn't make me a bad person. I have a big heart, I promise, and I am going to use it. We all have more than enough negativity and hate thrown at us - I refuse to engage in it. I won't contribute to the hate. Instead, I will love, I will pray, and I will spread love and joy to the best of my ability.
If you can, choose love. Love one another. Be mindful. Be kind. Spread joy!
"...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." Matthew 5:38-48