Understandably, many of us are confused by and nervous about the coronavirus pandemic. In times like these, it is natural for our in-built negativity bias to kick in. So while it’s true that as humans we tend to dwell on negative things, we can actively take steps to overcome this. The website linked above suggests four things:
- Stop Negative Self-Talk
- Reframe the Situation
- Establish New Patterns
- Savor Positive Moments
For the purpose of this reflection, I encourage all of us to take extra time to savor the positive moments in our lives. Catch yourself having an enjoyable conversation, eating something you love, appreciating something from nature, reading a book, watching a TV show, etc.
When you do catch yourself, stop and savor the moment. Take a deep breath and in your mind express gratitude for the moment you are having. For bonus points, tell someone about it.
We’re having stories and statistics thrust at us that may cause us to retreat into fear. When that happens, mindfully work to balance those by focusing on the positive. As my four stanza series of haikus in the image above suggests, the cosmos listens and responds.
Have it respond to your positivity. We all benefit.
Andy Smallman 