This year has been full of trials for sure. Yesterday my husband and I had to make the awful decision to give away our nine year old cat. Sadly he was aggressive towards our toddler (and only our toddler) and had health issues.
This just seems to be yet another negative pin stuck into the map of 2012. I am trying very hard to focus on the positives in life but it’s getting to be more and more difficult.
How do you stay positive when it seems like one negative thing happening after another?
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Cheryl
(144 comments)
@tembrooke
7/24/2012 5:02 pm
I’ll let you know when I figure it out myself. Sigh! I thought last year was trying, but this year has been borderline evil.
The best things I can suggest are to avoid reading too much news (all negative), try to limit your contact (cyber or otherwise) with negative people, get plenty of sleep (I know, easier said than done), and try to do something every day that makes you happy — listen to a favorite song, read a book you love, watch a little TV… whatever makes you feel treated.
My dad would also recommend starting a gratitude journal, which reminds you of the good things in your life. (I did it for a while about 10 years ago and it seemed to help.) Here’s an essay where he talks about doing a gratitude journal: http://www.teachthesoul.com/2011/10/want-more-happiness-in-your-life/ (I think he also discussed it somewhere else on his blog, but that’s the only one I could find quickly. I really do need to finish tagging all those entries!)
Also — I LOVE that second photo. It’s gorgeous.
Hang in there!
Sarah
(3563 comments)
7/24/2012 5:54 pm
I completely avoid the news on the TV and newspapers. Can’t avoid it via FB or twitter though sadly.
A gratitude journal is a good idea!
OH thank you!! I thought the flowers were so pretty!
Fern
(7 comments)
7/24/2012 5:46 pm
I set one simple goal each day, achieve that as early as possible, and bask in having done that. Usually it’s something along the lines of “Clean a 3′ by 2′ area of counter in the kitchen” or “Scrub the microwave”. Something that I’ll be able to SEE has been done that day … and maybe the next.
Sarah
(3563 comments)
7/24/2012 6:01 pm
That’s a good idea!
Manda
(3 comments)
7/24/2012 5:51 pm
I am so sorry that you had to give away your cat. I have two cats and love them both dearly. But the oldest one (Jedi) is my baby and I don’t know what I would do without him. However, you did what you had to do to protect your child and I hope that gives you some comfort.
shared blog post – Tsubasacon
Sarah
(3563 comments)
7/24/2012 6:06 pm
I’ve had a lot of cats over the years and it’s just so hard no matter how they leave us… in the past 3 years we had a cat pass away from cancer, my husband’s very old dog pass away… now this. It’s so difficult!
Natalie P.
(4 comments)
7/24/2012 5:54 pm
Let me try this again(not under someone else).
In the end, you cannot change the past, but you can change your perception of it.
When life piles up negatives on top of negatives, I do my best to change my reactions and my perceptions. It doesn’t change the bad, but it helps me emotionally handle it.
Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.
Dwelling on yesterday leads you to lose sight of today and tomorrow.
shared blog post – Over the Rainbow…
Sarah
(3563 comments)
7/24/2012 6:02 pm
LOL I removed the other comments for you!
I dwell on the past and have massive anxiety for the future, makes it extremely difficult to live in the present!
Alicia
(8 comments)
7/24/2012 6:46 pm
So sorry to hear of your trials. It does seem they come in bunches! I also think that without these we wouldn’t fully recognize and appreciate the sweet days. Sorry, girl! Thinking of you.
And btw, your pics are gorgeous today! Another fab series!
Sarah
(3563 comments)
7/25/2012 4:41 pm
Thank you so much! I know EVERY year has it struggles, it just seems to be coming fast and furious this year for some reason.
Sukhmandir Kaur
(28 comments)
@sikhism
7/24/2012 7:29 pm
That sounds hard, but I suppose you have to focus on how much easier it will be with out the worry of negative interaction between kitty and toddler. I seem to constantly have to pull my self out of negative thoughts, when did it get like this? I take a deep breath, concentrate on inhaling a positive light feeling and exhaling worry. Tell my self this means something better is ready and waiting for me.
Sukhmandir Kaur
(28 comments)
@sikhism
7/24/2012 7:30 pm
ALl that and I forgot to say how beautiful your photos are I like how you focus on your central image and blur out the rest. Yes!
Nicole P.
(2 comments)
7/24/2012 10:08 pm
I try to think of all that I have to be grateful for. Or do something I can get tangible results: photography, baking. I’m sorry your down, but hopefully you get through it soon.
Sarah
(3563 comments)
8/1/2012 4:27 pm
Thank you, I appreciate that!
Ronni
(35 comments)
@lilrongal
7/25/2012 2:40 pm
I agree with whoever suggested the gratitude journal. Often, when I start to really feel down and depressed, I go through my photos and relive those memories. That helps me remember that there is good to be grateful for. Focusing on the good helps, but it’s super hard.
*hugs*
My neighbor has to give away his cat as well. :( He’s pretty bummed about it.
shared blog post – Sunday Stealing (13)
Sarah
(3563 comments)
8/1/2012 4:31 pm
Surprisingly, everyone else is handling it a TON better than I am. Too sensitive heh.
I keep trying to focus on the little things right now and I think slowing my work load down a bit is going to help as well, I get WAYYYYYY too emotionally invested in my work stuff!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies
(12 comments)
@ohmyveggies
7/28/2012 7:59 pm
I’m so, so sorry. We lost our cat 2 years ago after a freak illness and I still feel heartbroken over it. I know it’s a different situation, but either way, it’s so hard to say goodbye to a pet that you’ve loved for so many years. But you did what you had to do to protect your child.
As for staying positive, I think sometimes it’s okay to let yourself be in a negative place. Because if you try to move on too quickly, sometimes you don’t really heal, you know? But always know that things will get better eventually…
shared blog post – What I Ate This Week | Cantaloupe is not a substitute for mango!
Sarah
(3563 comments)
8/1/2012 4:32 pm
I’ve always had cats since I was oh geez… 7? and had a few pass away… it’s SO ROUGH!
Jen @ LitasWorld
(29 comments)
@litasworld
7/28/2012 9:11 pm
Oh so sorry to hear this!! You totally have to look after your son though!! And this is how you get through…blog about it so we can all send you some love!!!
Sarah
(3563 comments)
8/1/2012 4:33 pm
Thank you so much!!!