Pragmatic Positivity Mindset

We're all just prisoners here, of our own device. That line from the song Hotel California has resonated with me throughout the years. But I've often wondered—what if your so-called prison was full of wonderful people doing wonderful things?

We only get one shot at this crazy little thing called life. Yes, it’s true that life comes with its (un)fair share of challenges, and I don’t expect anyone to be happy all the time. In fact, I’d probably be suspicious if they were. Still, I’ve seen too many people trapped in the murk of negativity, almost addicted to it. And while I don’t discount the weight of life’s hardships, I believe there’s something to be said for choosing a positive outlook—for making it a deliberate choice.

That’s the choice I aim to make, for myself and for you. Let me be clear: I’m not exempting myself from this task. If anything, I’m holding myself accountable even more. The last coupe of years have been a doozy, with its fair share of bulljive thrust upon me. Yet, in the midst of all that chaos, there were so many moments that shone like glimmers of joy. For those, I am most humbly grateful.

You can trudge through life in the doldrums, or you can figure out what tools you need to find and hold onto the light. I’m learning that a pragmatic approach to positivity—acknowledging the hard stuff while seeking the bright spots—makes all the difference. And that’s what I’d call it: being pragmatically positive.

Life’s too short and too precious to live any other way.

Photo Credit: Metro Melik | Photo description: parking lot full of cars outside of factory with a plume of smoke blowing to the left [north], the orange sunrise with a tree with no leaves, snow on the ground, Winkin, Blynken, and Nod aka the Three Stacks to the south / right side of the picture, gray blue sky