MINDSET

Negativity is the thing that, maybe more than any other factor, will put a limit on your ability to be the best version of yourself you can be. The good news is that you're not doomed to negativity.

Having a 'Positive Mindset' is the practice of focusing on the good in any given situation. It can have a big impact on your physical and mental health. It means you approach the good and the bad in life with the expectation that things will go well. You may not be able to change the situation, but you can change the way you perceive it.

Happiness

A pleasant emotional state that elicits feelings of joy, contentment and satisfaction expressed by smiling and laughter. Used to remind us what is important.

Sadness

An emotional state characterized by feelings of disappointment, grief or hopelessness expressed by frowning, loss of focus in eyes and sometimes tears. Used to connect us with those we love.

Fear

A primal emotion that is important to survival and triggers a fight or flight response expressed by wide eyes and tense stretched lips. Used to protect us from danger.

Disgust

A strong emotion that results in feeling repulsed expressed by a wrinkled nose, gagging and no eye contact. Used to reject what is unhealthy.

Anger

An emotional state leading to feelings of hostility and frustration expressed by glaring, eyebrows drawn together and tight lips. Used to fight against problems.

Surprise

A brief emotional state, either positive or negative, following something unexpected expressed by raised brows, open mouth and a gasp. Used to focus on new situations.

Feelings

While emotions are associated with bodily reactions that are activated through neurotransmitters and hormones released by the brain, feelings are the conscious experience of emotional reactions.

A fundamental difference between feelings and emotions is that feelings are experienced consciously, while emotions manifest either consciously or subconsciously.

A conscious decision or action is made or done deliberately with you giving your full attention to it i.e.

• what to eat

• what to wear

• what to purchase

• what we believe

• what jobs and career choices we will pursue

• how we vote

• who to spend our time with

• what we say and how we say it

• what we will eat

• how we react

Responding Rather Than Reacting

Life is 10 percent of what happens to me and 90 percent of how I react [or respond] to it.

- Charles R. Swindoll, pastor, author, and educator

Bringing our attention to our physical sensations, thoughts, and feelings allows us to gather the internal information that will allow us to respond (choose our behaviour) rather than react (act automatically) when faced with typical personal difficulties and challenges, such as making a mistake; getting hurt; being dropped; or having difficulty with a teammate, teacher, friend or family member. The ability to respond rather than react has multiple benefits:

Holes and Different Streets

READ: slowly and twice, this poem by Portia Nelson:

Chapter One

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost... I am helpless.

It isn’t my fault...

It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I am in this same place.

But, it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in… it’s a habit… but,

my eyes are open.

I know where I am.

It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

Chapter Four

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter Five

I walk down another street.