Words That Heal #2: The Art of Positive Living

Originally published in my “Words That Heal” series. Now part of “Healing from Within.”

Every day we are bombarded with news.

Mostly bad.

If its not a war that’s ongoing, it’s people getting killed, women getting raped and children dying of malnourishment.

Don’t get me wrong!

I am as horrified as you are and my heart breaks when I see the kind of suffering that’s going on in the world. And it makes me feel grateful for what I have and not take my life and those I love for granted.

But I also ask myself,

is starting my day with this kind of negativity really helping me to live my best life?

You see, I’d made a promise to myself years ago when my daughter got well after years of suffering from a severe chronic condition.

You can listen to our story here.

I had promised that I would use my lived experiences, knowledge and my skills to reduce the pain of others who were in a similar place. I know what it is to live with uncertainty and apprehension about what the next day may bring.

We lived like this for many years when our daughter was unwell.

And over time, I learned how to lift myself up even during the worst of times.

The paradox of living in a connected world

Most of are living with an undercurrent of anxiety of what’s going on in the world right now.

And even though history shows us that we live in possibly relatively more peaceful times than ever before, it doesn’t really feel like that.

But then you have to remember, that we are all connected with each other in real time. So for the first time in the history of mankind, we get to hear and see about what’s happening as it is taking place.

For better or for worse.

In the past that was not the case.

And we know that, due to our brain’s inherent negativity bias, bad news sells.

Sensational news sells.

Breaking news sells.

But that’s not necessarily good news for you!

The importance of your mental diet

Because this is what makes up your “mental diet”.

And what you feed your mind with is as important as what you feed your body.

Infact, I would say, that it’s even more important than what foods you eat.

If you feed your mind with negativity and junk, that’s going to affect your body too

And that’s exactly what most of us don’t realise.

We scroll endlessly through the internet and social media looking for connection, entertainment and fun and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The problem is when we get sucked into wasting hours of our precious time in snooping into other people’s lives, not reality but what they want to show us.

And instead of spending time doing things we love and using our creativity to dance, paint, write, take photos and sing we endlessly consume.

And then we wonder why we feel uninspired, lacking motivation and energy.

Nurturing your creative spirit

You are a creative being.

You were born with gifts that you may not be even aware of!

And yet, you may be wasting precious time on things that are not even important to you

Isn’t that a shame?

So to begin with, why not focus on the “diet” that you are feeding your mind with?

All day, everyday.

Why not nourish your mind and your spirit the way you take care of your physical health?

With love, positivity and hope.

Break free from the cycle of negativity

I want you to imagine the incredible potential that lies within you, waiting to be unleashed.

When you start feeding your mind with uplifting content, engaging in activities that bring you joy, and surrounding yourself with people who inspire you, magic happens.

Your creativity blossoms, your energy levels soar, and you find yourself living a life that is truly aligned with your purpose.

It's time to break free from the cycle of negativity and embrace a new way of being.

Start each day by setting a positive intention, focusing on gratitude, and seeking out stories that uplift and inspire you.

Infact, I follow accounts such as Upworthy, Tinybuddha, newdayish and peacefulmindpeacefullife on Instagram for this very reason.

Here’s what the author Elizabeth Gilbert says about “creative living” in her book “Big Magic”,

A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner—continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you—is a fine art, in and of itself.

Remember, the purpose of life is not merely to consume, but to create, to contribute, and to make a difference in the world.

And by nurturing your mind and spirit with positivity and love, you'll be well on your way to living a life that is rich, fulfilling, and overflowing with purpose.

Start to engage in activities that allow you to express your creativity, whether it's through art, music, writing, or any other medium that speaks to your soul.

💛 What’s one small practice helping you stay grounded lately?
I’d love to hear—and maybe even include it in a future post (with your permission).

These reflections are part of my “Words That Heal” series. If you’d like more posts like this, hit the 💛 at the top or just reply to say hello.

Your voice is always welcome here.