Spreading positivity is the one of the simplest and most powerful gifts we can share with others – and its benefits are exponential! Here’s why it’s more valuable than ever.
Spreading Positivity in an Uncertain World
One of the most important ways we can increase our wellbeing and positivity is by recognising what is within our control (and changing it if it doesn’t make us happy), and accepting the things that are not.
Sometimes accepting the things we’re not able to change can, on the surface, look like a lack of caring. But that’s not usually what’s going on.
It might actually be a case of coming to terms with something abhorrent which you cannot change – because the only alternative is to be eaten up by it.
When Spreading Positivity Feels Futile
I sat down to update an old post about Brexit, and how the loss of community spirit could be regained – and it felt impossible.
Everything I started writing felt wrong somehow, when so much is wrong in the world today. The intervening time between Brexit and now has certainly provided some perspective.
In the face of the health, political, and economical issues currently facing the world, talking about spreading positivity seems futile and trite. And yet…
It’s possible to be both appalled at what’s going on around us, wish things were different – and also accept that it’s beyond our control.
That doesn’t mean we should also quit being happy forever more. Quite the opposite in fact.
When things go wrong, don’t go with them.
Elvis Presley
Why You Should Spread Positivity In Spite of Tragedy
I gave my head a wobble and realised that it’s actually the perfect opportunity to feel truly grateful for what is right in my world.
And that while spreading positivity might be futile in the context of the families who are so very much in my thoughts but whom I’m unable to help – it’s not entirely futile.
Someone once told me growth and comfort do not coexist. And I think it’s a really good thing to remember.
Ginni Rometty
For a start, anybody in the world with access to a computer and the internet can read positive words such as the quotes I’ve included here. And who knows, maybe they’ll reach somebody who needs a reminder that good exists in the world.
Senselessness and tragedy are very real, but they’re not a reason for us all to give up on happiness.
9 Ways to Radiate Positivity and Spread Joy
If you’re looking for some simple ways to spread positivity, I hope this list will inspire you:
1. Smile
So simple, but so effective. Offering a smile makes you appear approachable, and is often infectious.
Imagine being responsible for making tens of hundreds of people smiling, simply by starting the chain!
2. Pay Someone a Compliment
How often do you see somebody, and love something they’re wearing or how they’ve styled their hair – but fail to tell them? Often it’s due to embarrassment or fear of rejection – but how great do you feel on the odd occasion somebody approaches you simply to pay you a compliment?!
Day made, right?
So next time a friend, a relative, a stranger – especially a stranger – is rocking their outfit, make a point of telling them. You’ll light them up.
3. Give the Benefit of the Doubt
It costs nothing, but it makes them feel better.
Bonus: it will make you feel better too – on multiple levels.
You’ll feel benevolent, gain their warmth and gratitude. You’ll also avoid the negativity of assuming you were not important, or whatever other bad feeling you could easily have been taken over by.
Nine times out of ten, people do not set out to hurt us. You might call it wrong very occasionally, but wouldn’t you prefer to feel happier 90% of the time, over being right 10% of the time?
4. Forgive
…Which brings us neatly on to forgiveness.
Remember, forgiveness is not to exonerate them – it’s to allow you inner peace.
5. Don’t Complain
I get it, it’s so easy to do – and then for it to become a habit. But make efforts not to focus on the things that cause you to complain.
Frankly, listening to someone moan all the time is boring, and draining. Those who become known as complainers tend to be short of people who want to spend time in their company.
In contrary, simply by being positive you spread positivity – and people will love you for it.
6. Be a Good Listener
Likewise, offering a good ear is a really valuable asset that you’ve probably noticed is quite special because it’s quite rare! How many friends do you have who you can count on to listen and hear you, without interrupting or making it about them?
It’s a fantastic skill, one that makes for an excellent friend – and anybody can choose to adopt it.
7. Practice Gratitude
When you practice gratitude, everything else falls into place and being positive becomes easy.
Gratitude helps you to reframe so that life feels good, and when you’re content, being positive is simply an extension of that.
Why not try these gratitude journal prompts?
8. Always Look For the Silver Lining
This is slightly different to being grateful. It’s easy to be grateful for obviously wonderful things – it’s not difficult for me to be grateful for my family and my home, for example.
Finding the silver lining in challenging or unhappy circumstances is much harder, but still important.
The silver lining can lead to gratitude. And it stops you from becoming consumed with negative feelings.
Essentially, training yourself to always seek the silver lining will, over time, help positivity to become your default mindset.
9. Altruism
One of the very best ways to spread positivity is simply by being kind and generous with your time, if you’re able.
One of the biggest benefits of this, perhaps surprisingly, is actually for the benefactor.
The quickest, most effective route to happiness and fulfilment is through altruism. (Which begs the question, is anything, ever truly altruistic? But that’s another post for another day.)
If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.
Booker T. Washington
- What’s Special About Positive People – Plus How You Can Adopt Their Habits
- Journal Prompts For Positive Thinking
- Life Lessons for Anybody Who Aspires to Be More Positive
- How Toxic Positivity Can Be Harmful to Mental Health – and What to Do Instead
- The Psychology of Uncertainty, and How to Cope With COVID Anxiety
- Social Isolation and Mental Health: How to Cope Alone or With Children
10 Ideas to Spread Positivity in Your Neighbourhood
Feeling compelled to make a difference locally? Here are some ideas to get get you started:
- Buy a few extra items in your local shop and drop them into the dedicated trolley for the local food bank,
- Offer to help out at events for your child’s school,
- Help to fundraise for them too,
- Buy a hot drink for the homeless person you see regularly in your town,
- Go through your wardrobes at home and donate anything you no longer wear,
- Set up a standing order to a charity close to your heart,
- Take a hot meal to your vulnerable elderly neighbour,
- Support local independent shops,
- Enquire about penpal schemes with residents in local old people’s homes,
- If you have spare time, volunteer.
Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.
Ryunosuke Satoro