This week's editorial

“One small positive thought can change your whole day.”
-Zig Ziglar

In the season of COVID-19 and all the negative news associated, the troubling economic business situations that have transpired, the extreme weather conditions across the province and Western Canada, etc., there are things a person can do to help keep optimistic in a down world.  

I think the biggest thing a person can do for their own mental health is to limit the amount of negative news they watch and listen to every day. It may even take some weaning to make that decision but it sure feels good after awhile to not overdose on negativism. Although it’s a good idea to keep on top of some news occurring in the world or maybe a headline or two on topics of interest, feeding on the news everyday and the hours dedicated to COVID-19 talk with its ensuing issues only drags a person down.  

Have you noticed that when you hang around with negative people, their negativism becomes a little contagious after awhile? Try and find people to spend time with that are optimistic; you can usually pick them out – those with smiles, maybe a sense of humour often help.  

I find that listening to music can soothe the soul or build a mood that can lift you up instead of drag you down. Although cleaning the house might seem like a mundane task and something that isn’t top of the enjoyment list to do, motivating music can make the job less tedious. Enjoying a wide genre of music builds certain moods. You can groove to the happy music of the 60’s, get motivated by listening to ‘Counting Crows’ (I can burn around the house and get my work done in half-the-time) or mellow out with Andre Bocelli or whatever your choice may be… you will find your mood lifted. Stay away from the dark stuff.   

Practise thankfulness. Each and every one of us may have issues or circumstances to overcome, but I can guarantee we all are able to find many things to be thankful for.  Meditate on that and you will find that in most cases, the good thoughts outweigh the bad.  

I do believe we all can live with purpose. As long as we are in the land of the living, we have the power to choose to be and do good, to feel-fulfilled, to focus on the positive and work to be as healthy as we can be. If you work at being the best you, you can be, people around you will notice.

Hugs go a long way in my book when it comes to ‘feeling the love’. So many times in life, words only go so far but a hug can warm the heart.    

And last but not least, laugh a lot. Laughter “doeth good like a medicine” and brings healing and health to your heart and soul. Find some good jokes that tickle your funny bone and share them with a friend.  

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.