A few days ago, I asked each of you to drop a positive word that starts with the first letter of your name in my comment section. I was surprised at how many comments I received. I had very few duplicated. That in itself made me very happy. I want to share these words with you., some of the words I’ve never used or even really thought about. I found a large jar, placed it in my office. I wrote each word down on an index card. On the back of the card, I have chosen a few questions, things to ponder and a mantra. I intend to continue to fill my jar with positive word, words of gratitude, and things that make me happy.

Here are the words:

Smile, joy, joyful, super, kindness, audacious, magnificent, share, valuable, love, perseverance, devotion, passion, jubilant elated, tenacious, dreams, dynamic, marvelous, amazing, wonder, wonderful, caring, vitality, thankful, motivation, laugh, laughter, vibrant, righteous, resilient, magic, magical, passion, courage, rejoice, thriving, compassion, remarkable, strength, nurture, terrific, romance, miracle, jovial, loyalty and delightful.

When I think about these words, they give me hope. They give me things to look forward too. They give me insight. I will start to incorporate these words into my everyday life one word at a time. When I am having a down day, I’ll go to my positive word jar, pull out a card and think about this word all day. When I have a good day, I’ll choose a word to add. In doing this, I’ll be able to add words to my jar. (my jar will overflow Ith by the end of the year). Words of gratitude, praise and thankfulness.

Here are some examples of the of things to think about and mantras from the above words. When you read these things, stop for a minute and really think about them. Do events and stories come to mind? If so journal about them. Have a journal of positive things in your life, things you are grateful for so that when you are having a bad day you are able to reflect on good days.

Perseverance: I did not give up. I have persevered. Look at where you were and how far you have come. Look at where you want to be. What have you accomplished? What have you survived? Use the mantra, I will persevere.

Kind, Kindness: Who has been kind to me? How can I show kindness. Kindness costs me nothing. Use the mantra, I will acknowledge those who are kind to me, and I will show kindness.

Super: Think of the words attached to super. Super-duper looper. It’s not just a loop it a super-duper loop. Superman, superwoman, not just a man or woman but a super man or woman. Above and beyond the normal. Use the mantra: I will wear my cape today and be super in all things.

Elated: It is above happy. Similar to the word super. What has made me above happy? Who or what make me feel elated? Use the mantra: I will give myself permission to become elated about something small.

Dream: What are my dreams? What dreams have materialized in my life? How can I fulfil my dreams.? Use the mantra: I believe in dreams.

Valuable: What is valuable to you? Not just material things. What gives you value? Energy is valuable. Mantra to use I will see my value today.

Devotion: What am I devoted to? What do I spend my time thinking about or doing? Am I devoted to the right things? Do I spend quiet time in prayer and meditation? What you think and say you become. Mantra: I will be devoted to finding one positive idea a day.

Amazing: What amazes me? Do I realize how amazing I am? Who amazes me? Use the mantra I will do amazing things today.

Joy, Joyful: There is a song we are all familiar with, “Joy to The World”. Let’s be committed to spread joy. Use the mantra: Today I will be joyful and think of things that bring me joy.

Smile: What makes me smile? Can I share a smile with someone. Smiling costs you nothing. What do I have to smile about? Use the mantra: Today I will smile.

Miracle: What do I consider a miracle? When was the last time I witnessed a miracle? Am I so overloaded that I am missing miracles? Use the mantra: Today I will recognize miracles.

Courage: Who is courageous to me? How have I shown courage? Courage teaches us to face our fears, to acknowledge them. We want to demonstrate doing what is right, even when we have to acknowledge our vulnerabilities. Mantra to use: Today I will think like the cowardly lion visiting oz.

Here is the speech from The Wizard of Oz. Think about what he says:

Cowardly Lion:

Courage. What makes a King out of a slave? Courage.

What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage.

What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist or the dusky dusk? Courage.

What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage.

What makes the Sphinx the 7th Wonder? Courage.

What makes the dawn come up like THUNDER?! Courage.

What makes the Hottentot so hot?

What puts the “ape” in ape-ricot?

Whatta they got that I ain’t got?

Dorothy & Friends: Courage!

Cowardly Lion: You can say that again.

Did you know that positive words support brain growth? It expands the way we think, grow and react to situations. It reinforces a new way of thinking. It improves focus, gives you things to pay attention to and helps you in problem solving. On the scientific side it magnifies the effects of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins in our brains. It enhances mental functions such as creativity, faster processing in problem solving. It also lowers the level of pain and distress, eliminating negative self-talk. It makes us more resistant to illness. Positive thoughts result in positive results. However, forced positive thinking can stifle your ability to express your emotions so it is not something that should be forced. It is not meant to make you feel bad for having negative thoughts about a situation. It is not meant to overlook actual situations that need processed and worked through. It is not meant to replace seeking help from a professional when needed. It can also take away the feeling of being authentic. It’s finding a balance that is best for you. It takes practice, time and courage.

Positivity is contagious. Ever notice how someone will express something good and another person will just burst their bubble? It’s irritating. We’ve all done it or had it done to use. Let’s work on filling up the bubble instead of popping them. Let’s commit to changing the ripples in the water by raising the vibration with positive words and actions. Let’s affirm that we may not be able to change the world however, we become what we say others will join in. Try it for a week and see how things change. Then go two weeks to a month. Take note of how you feel and how others feel around you.

Here are a few run-on sentences. When we place the above words together here is what you have:

When you smile, it brings joy. Those around you become joyful because of your super kindness. Your audacious magnificence, that you freely share. It is your valuable love, that has persevered, due to your devotion to passion. It makes me fee; jubilant, elated and tenacious. I believe my dreams are dynamic, marvelous and amazing. It is the wonderful caring vitality that makes me thankful and motivated to know I can laugh and know that laughter makes me vibrant, righteous, resilient, and magical. I will be passionate having the courage to rejoice. I will thrive to show compassion, with remarkable strength. I will nurture the terrific idea of romance creating miracles allowing myself to be jovial, while remaining loyal and it will be delightful. Mic drop…..

What’s your positive word for the day? If you don’t have one use one listed.

Sending you positive energy for all your days to come.

Stacey