Positivity: Some assembly required

An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea. - Siddhartha Gautama Buddha

So positive thinking week continues here in Mabel Land...

 

Maybe one of the reasons positive thinking gets a bad rap is because some portray it as:

(A) Think positive -->  (B) Things get better

without inserting some sort of action between A and B. And when that doesn't work, people get all anti-stoopid-positive-thinking. It's bunk, this positive thinking crapolatude.

Back in April I posted some stories about Oprah--she sees the goal process sort of like this...

* Want something passionately
* Be positive AND do everything in your power to bring it about
* Then let go of your desire
* Trust that whether you Get or Don't Get the thing you were aiming for, it will be the right path for your life

In one case this led her down a totally unexpected path: She wanted to be a teacher, and ended up a talk show host, where she did teacherly things. If she had never let go of the teacher dream maybe she would have become a mediocre teacher, or a good but unhappy teacher, or ended up in some other random job bitter and depressed. But instead she let the dream go and allowed life to lead her down a new path.

Another time, she desired with all her heart to act in the film version of The Color Purple. It looked like she wouldn't get it, but she kept doing what she thought she should, until one day as she ran 'round the track at a fat farm she finally let the dream go, completely. A moment later she got a call from Spielberg who said to get out! If she lost a single pound she wouldn't get the part!

In both cases she didn't sit back and stare at the wall, waiting to become a teacher, or waiting to get the part. She did all she could do, and then let go.

I don't write this as a shaming--someone who is in a depression or has a chronic illness, etc. might be capable of less *action* in pursuit of their goals. Whatever "doing everything in one's power" means can only be judged by ourselves. But Helen Keller said, "because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do." (She was a total Pollyanna.)

All this to say, positive thinking should lead to some action (unless you just need to meditate cause you're very stressed out.) But equally important--once you've done your darnedest--recognize it, and shift directions before you drive yourself mad, or into depression and bitterness. 

The idea is well expressed in this oracle deck I like...

(I've drawn this card twice in the last few months, once in each direction. Lolz!)

 

Ally (right side up) The Phoenix is constantly reinventing itself and rises up whole and new and even more powerful with every death it experiences. This could signal an end of a relationship -or a dynamic within one- or an end of a job, a project, or even a life.

Perhaps no failure is involved, but it's time for a complete overhaul of your circumstances. You may be tired of what you're doing, or you may know intuitively that it's time to move on and try something new. Whatever the case, a death of the old and a celebration of the new are called for! Whatever you do now will indeed be a successful endeavor, for a rebirth is imminent!

Challenger (upside down) When the Phoenix challenges you, it’s really just a gentle reminder to let go and let what doesn’t work fall away. Maybe you’re not allowing things to change because you’re more comfortable with the familiar, even if you know that it’s not the best you could create for yourself. Fear of change is a crippling experience, as it works against Nature itself. The task at hand is to allow for an ending, as it’s timely and right that you do so for the highest good of all. In surrendering to the fundamental purposeful change, you will most definitely find yourself in better circumstances. The action needed is allowing. A rebirth is assured.

 

SONGS OF THE DAY

#1 - Doing Your Best - Eminem's "Lose Yourself"

Here's a guy who knows how to give it all in the pursuit of his dreams, which is why he's considered by his peers as one of the best rap artists. This song perfectly encapsulates the idea.

#2 - Letting Go - Eminem's "Talkin' 2 Myself"

This is from Eminem's last album, when he finally returned to writing decent music. It's about him listening to some of the rappers out there right now and almost writing raps taking shots at them--and then realizing he didn't want to do it because they sucked (which is cool in rapland) but because they were good. He was jealous. He had to let go of his ego, his embarrassment about hitting bottom, and just refocus back on his own talent. 

That's the power of letting go. And while I wouldn't call Eminem an optimist, his first single was "Everybody come take my hand, we'll walk this world together!" and "It's time to exorcise these demons, these motherf***ers are doing jumping jacks now!"   :-D  I'd say he's in a more positive place than he's been in his life.