Positive Day in the Bloggosphere

Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009 by Travis Cody in
39


Positive Day comes from the mind of a terrific 12 year old. She's Diva Daughter, the daughter of my blog pal Jennifer at Dust Bunny Hostage. The idea is explained in this post.

Positive thoughts lead to positive actions, which lead to positive results. Sometimes we can trace a clear path from the thought to the action to the result. Other times, there can be so much time between them that we're unable to find the connections.

But make no mistake, consistent positive results don't happen by accident. It takes planning, which takes careful consideration. And then we must act on the plan. And then sometimes we must be patient. We really do make our own luck.

Of course, we don't always get exactly what we want. And some would say that falling short of what we want is a negative result. I disagree. Falling short of a goal requires re-evaluation. What caused the short fall? Was the plan clearly defined? How many of the steps were checked off? Were any steps skipped? Were any steps unrealistic? Was the goal unrealistic? Was an intermediate goal attained, and could this be the jump off to a redefined new goal and a new plan?

These are all questions that make us think critically. And as we think critically, we uncover truths about the goal and the desire to reach it. And we uncover truths about ourselves. This is a good thing...a positive thing...because from this kind of critical thinking comes insight.

We should never be afraid of insight into ourselves and the world around us. I think this is how we take control and gain power over our own lives. And I think it's how we learn that the majority of people with whom we come in contact are after many of the same things we are. They don't necessarily want to take our things from us, nor do they need to. They simply want to find their things, their comforts, their wants, and their desires.

These things are not mutually exclusive...me from you, you from me, us from them. We can be an Us in this way, rather than some of Us and a lot more of Them.

That's why I was pleased to hear that Diva Daughter had come up with the idea of Positive Day. She took exception to someone telling her why she shouldn't like something. She wanted to decide for herself what she liked.

See, none of us can say what's good or bad for anyone else. Experts can try to tell us, but we're still allowed to make up our minds whether we like something or not. And it's ok not to like something that the majority likes. It is not ok for the majority to tell us we shouldn't like what they don't like, or like what they like when we don't.

We can all like what we like, and dislike what we like, without running the thing down or disparaging the people who think differently than we. When we explain why we like or don't like something, it's about individual taste.

How can anyone say that an individual taste is wrong or bad? Individual tastes aren't subject to majority or minority rule. You can say you don't like Harry Potter, but you can't tell me it isn't any good...I like Harry Potter!

So what are my positive thoughts for today?

  • Traffic does not have power over my attitude
  • The heatwave does not have power over my attitude
And what are my positive thoughts in the longer term?
  • Those determined to focus on the idea that differences of thought or opinion are bad will not have power over my attitude
  • Those determined to tell me I'm wrong simply because we disagree will not have power over my attitude
  • I will recognize and accept my prejudices, and they will not have power over my attitude toward those with whom I interact
Finally, what are my positive actions for today?

I only need one positive action, and that is to be open-minded in all things at all times.

Thank you Diva Daughter. If I'm still around in 2032, I'll give serious consideration to your ideas to take this country forward as its President. And you know what young lady? I think someone is going to beat you to the title First Woman President of the United States.

How's that for positive?

Jennifer, your girl is a keeper.

39 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:

    Excellent Post Trav. Very positive and upbeat. What you say is so right. Happy Positive Day July 31, 2009 :) Aloha

  1. Anonymous says:

    Wonderful post, Trav. I love your writing and your Positive attitude!

  1. Anonymous says:

    You made me smile... thanks!
    :-D)

  1. This was a phenomenal post Travis. You used that incredible brain of yours and combined it with your skill as a writer.

    BRAVO!

  1. Kanani says:

    How we frame things is everything!
    The other challenge is figuring out how to handle being around those who think negatively. I mean --I think it's easy to get caught up in a nasty spiral of criticism that has no beginning or end. I've found I can extricate myself from their mindset by either taking their argument and going into the issue in specific and trying to add clarity (not spin) or exiting with some kind of positive thought. A small platitude --"But I'm sure you'll be able to handle it," offers no solution but a gracious way for me to depart and at the same time affirming that it's within their powers to "re-frame."

    In the extreme case --my husband being in a delicate and dangerous war, I can't help but see the good he's doing (medical care to soldiers and locals) as an incredible opportunity for good. And so I find myself with little to complain about because I've re-framed all other parts of my life. I really am grateful. And once you have gratefulness in your system, well, the outlook changes.

    Anyway... I've left a post up for you and the other dance fans on my blog. I've searched around and found footage of both of the Kasprzak brothers (Evan & Ryan).

    Have a terrific day!

  1. I put up my post. Much better one here.

  1. Linda says:

    Now here's a positive attitude plus! Very nicely said and - no pun intended - positively uplifting!

  1. Sometimes the best gift you ever can get is not getting what you want. Mick Jagger summed that up nicely ;)

  1. I love your Attitude of Gradittude,Dude!

  1. Trav there is a great deal of good advice and wisdom in that post. Love the graphic you did for Positive Day.

  1. Cherie says:

    Thanks Travis for your part in making this Day happen. You Rock! :)

  1. What a great post and wonderful way of looking at things!

  1. j says:

    My word Travis. You are a genius.

    That was so well thought out and so well written. My favorite part though - the part that is just so "Travis" - is that you included positive actions. Words are easy (well, for some people) but actions? Accountability to the world around us demands more than words.

    I've said it repeatedly but I don't think I can say it enough - THANK YOU Travis.

  1. Dianne says:

    you're wonderful Trav!

    I love the sentiment about not being afraid of insight into ourselves and the world

    oh and in case I haven't told you lately

    you're wonderful Trav!

  1. Thom: I figured since this was worth doing, then it was worth doing as well as I could.

    Barb: Thanks!

    Lois: Well that's certainly a positive outcome!

    V: Thanks for participating and helping spread the word.

    Kanani: Well said!

    Charles: Thanks for participating in this!

    Linda: Well, if you're going to be positive then be positive I say!

    Starr: It is if you recognize opportunity.

    Mike: Thanks!

    Jamie: When I saw the google image of the glass of water, I knew that was the right one for this.

    Cherie: I was just a little part of it. The concept was all Diva Daughter.

    Petersons: Thanks for cruising by!

    Jennifer: Your daughter is an inspiration. Thank you both for this idea.

    Dianne: I say that if you go through life afraid of yourself, then you're just not living at all.

  1. Very well done, Travis. I can't imagine a more perfect post for Positive Day.

  1. Debra says:

    Such a wonderful post on being positive! Excellent! I enjoyed reading it very much.

  1. Anonymous says:

    The most important part of your post second to honoring ms. diva daughter was the statement regarding: "We can all like what we like, and dislike what we like, without running the thing down or disparaging the people who think differently than we."

    disparaging being the key word. There are some very pretentious folks in this world that have a sense of entitlement to put others down no matter how clever they think they speak.

    This day was a good day. I've had a stressful couple of weeks and this was a day of comittment to a young lady. Your post is equally important. Thank you.

  1. Julie says:

    You are not only a fantastic writer...but i like that brain of your's too! Biggie hugs for a great plan!

  1. Awesome post. Loved it! Thanks for stopping by my blog :-)

  1. Gattina says:

    Very nice post ! I think we are on the same line !

  1. Jientje says:

    Being positive is a lifestyle!

    Thanks for this post Travis, very well written! Have a great week!

  1. TopChamp says:

    Mm.. I will think about how to apply this in life. You're a good person x

  1. Aw, man! Such beautiful logic--and just when I wanted to pitch a temper tantrum! Thanks for the reminder against giving up power over my life to little bumps in the road. I found you through Just Livin' Large, and I'll be back to see what other nuggets I can glean from your future posts! C

  1. Tiz says:

    You are so right - outside circumstances have no control over our attitude!!!!
    Excellent post.

  1. Autumn says:

    Great thoughts! Thanks for visiting my blog... it's so nice to meet new people!

  1. Cheesy says:

    The heatwave does not have power over my attitude...because it already fried my last remaining brain cell! ^5 post m'dear!

  1. Kwizgiver says:

    Thanks for visiting my blog. Your positive attitude is infectious (in a good way)! :-)

  1. Rick says:

    Hey Travis! I agree with Jennifer- I'm so happy that you touched on actions as well as words. Great posting, and I just have to spend more time on your blog!

  1. Let me join with everyone else in admiring your very encouraging post, Travis. In my writers' group, we often learn through our workshops that not getting the results we're looking for calls for re-evaluation without banging our heads against the wall, simply because an early draft needs work. It's a long journey to being okay with that.

    In life as with writing, finding the positive in revisions is to discover what all those people blather on about when they talk about the process being more precious to them than the finished product. I think I'm halfway there.

    My positive thought for today - While I lay on the table for my acupuncture session, I repeated to myself, "I forgive myself for harming others. I forgive others for harming me." It amped up the pain in my leg during the session, but I figure it's important if the blocked energy is connected to that whole forgiveness thing.

    A positive action for today - I kept my headphones off while I wrote at the computer, so my husband wouldn't feel cut off from me. (My headphones put me in my little writer's cave, because my desk is in the living room.) He's having an agoraphobic day today, and has to go to work this evening, so I'm staying accessible when he feels like this.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Great post. I think yours was the best of all. Thanks for your comment on my blog.

  1. Great post. You have certainly made me feel more positive! Your words remind me of Browning's lines:
    "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp
    Or what's a heaven for?"

  1. Rita A says:

    Actions speak louder than words. But words are good, too. Good words, that is. Inspirational words for example, like your post.

    Thank you for visiting my blog. Greetings from Finland. - Rita -

  1. Akelamalu says:

    This is a great and very positive post Trav! :)

  1. A very positive post indeed!

  1. Great post, Travis!

    Positive thought for the day: "This too shall pass" with regard to my toothache. :)

  1. We DO in fact control our attitude and shouldn't allow outside forces to influence us, but we're human and we ARE affected. It's how we choose to change and act that sets us apart from lower animals, right?

  1. Anonymous says:

    The saying that "great minds think alike" is certainly true regarding Positive Day. It is wonderfully exciting how Diva Daughter has caught the vision as well in 2009. Actually Positive Day was conceived in writing on October 27, 2008 in response to my having created The Be Positive Do Something Positive Day in 2006. The individuals who are involved in the creation of Positive Day are all lovers and disciples of Jesus Christ as I am.
    Together we are communicating with and working with people from around the world to make Positive Day an internationally celebrated and recognized day for positive thought and events for people of all races, creeds, religions and spiritual persuasions, political affiliations, social status, ect. The date for Positive Day in 2010 is July 14. I am hoping that Diva Daughter will reach out to me so that we can discuss the possibilities as to how we can work together to make Positive Day an internationally recognized day in 2010. We look forward to hearing from anyone interested in Positive Day and discussing Positive Day 2010 with them. I can be reached at HaroldSays by email at harold@bepositiveday.com. I look forward to your response in the near future. Thank you.
    And remember, "Love wins!"