Now for something a little different but yet kinda the same.
Just like COVID-19, positivity is both infectious and easily spread to other people. I know that last few chapters have been very pragmatic and usually focusing on the negative aspects of life. However we really need to learn to cherish the good moments in our lives.
Like Mahky Mahk (think Bostonian accent) said “Come on feel the vibration.” Let’s go ahead and have that personal dance party in the kitchen. The music intend in this chapter is intended to get you to get up and move to the grove. Just like living through the bad times, you need to enjoy the good times. Simply set down your phone, turn off social media, drink in the moment, and this will allow you to fully appreciate this moment. We need to disconnect to truly connect with ourselves.
Rhymes will groove you
And I’m here to prove to you
That we can party on the positive side
And pump positive vibes
So come along for the ride
~Dan Hartman / Amir Shakir / Donald Wahlberg / Mark Wahlberg
Remember we are on the journey to lead us to a more balanced life. I’ve been teaching myself to look at the positives in every situation, even if it comes from one of my negative waves. My support system came through for me. Yes I did experience negative emotions but those also came along with positive affirmations.
So are you ready to move to the groove?
During this trying time, I’ve started to turn off the 24 hour news channels and been playing more music. Unfortunately the our news media shows have a strong tendency to sensationalize the stories they report. Now I want throw in a quick note, I still pay attention to the local new media as I they tend not to sensationalize what they are reporting. I found on early on that the media I was consuming was leading to an increase in anxiety. My therapist and I discussed that maybe I should turn off the news and focus my energies elsewhere.
What I found was my general anxiety started to decrease. Remember mindset and perception are key when dealing with your emotional states. The key to understanding your emotional states is mindfulness. And your environment can be a direct impact on do how these states manifest. In the last chapter we discussed making decisions for the better. We all should take a holistic view of our entire environment: friends, workspace, physical location, and relationships.
Live baby live
Now that the day is over
I gotta new sensation
In perfect moments
Well so impossible to refuse
~Michael Hutchence / Andrew Farriss
So join me in turning off the news and grab that new sensation. Surround yourself with positive people and good thoughts. Remember what I said in my story, optimism will carry you further than pessimism. By transforming you environment in a more positive one, it will breed more positive intentions. Out of these positive intentions will grow a positive mind.
Are you starting to feel it yet?
Yes I know it’s pretty tough right now to get out the house with the whole pandemic going on. However there are still ways we can have fun while being safe. Have a one person dance party in your kitchen, or better yet dance under the stars in your backyard or driveway. Don’t limit your ability to have fun to only the things you used to do. Think outside the box, innovate and come up of your own design. Engage in your creative side it’ll help ease the anxiety with staying at home. The reason that this works is you are solving your own “problem.” Personally I think most of the issues that surround anxiety deal with our inability to solve problems.
Across the nation
Around the world
Everybody have fun tonight
A celebration so spread the word
~Jack Hues / Nick Feldman / Peter F. Wolf
So let loose and allow yourself to feel good. Feel the music and allow the groove to move into your soul. You have to allow yourself to have good days and great moments. Remember positivity is infectious, once its in you it’s there for a while.
Why are you just standing there?
You need to surround yourself with the right people. That. was something that was a tough lesson for me. I though I had the right people in my circle, but they were never there for me. So I cut that dead weight. I fixed that issue with getting back in touch with the right people. I know I can count on them for help whenever I need it. As they say cream does rise to the top and turds sink. That last part may not be apart of the idiom, but I say it is and it’s true.
Ah we can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind
Cause your friends don’t dance and if they don’t dance
Well they’re are no friends of mine
~ Ivan Doroschuk
Why aren’t you dancing yet? Get out of your seat and get to movin’. We need to balance our bad days with good days. So jump start those good days with a safe dance party. This entire chapter is intended to get you movin’ to beat of your own drum and not someone else’s drum. Embrace the journey, the good and the bad.
Just let the music move you.
Remember we got to keep moving forward in order to grow. Yes I know Devo’s hit Whip It is kind of an odd inclusion in this chapter from a contextual/lyrical perspective, but this song makes you move and groove. Mental health is a marathon not a sprint. You need to keep moving forward and keep making strides in your own journey. Mindfulness is key in to unlocking your full potential. Since the beginning of the year that was 2020 I’ve taken a hard look at what’s important to me and that is feeling good.
Go forward
Move ahead
Try to detect it
It’s not too late
To whip it
Whip it good
~Gerald Casale / Mark Mothersbaugh
As I’ve stated previously I don’t watch the news very often, and to be fair I really don’t watch much television these days. I always have music on that gets me moving. I’ve been working on building myself and environment that encourages a positive mindset. This environment helps me both space out the time between my down periods as well as shortens them as well. Remember positivity is infectious and it will create more positivity in others. When this phenomenon happens, your positivity will increase and will last longer.
Good, you are starting to get the groove.
If this last song doesn’t get you moving I don’t know what will. In addition to the the good vibrations to pull you into that positive mindset, a little self love never hurt anyone. Take it for what you want, I’ll leave it at that. Love yourself and who you are. Also love others and show them compassion. Be spontaneous with your partner. Love is a two way street and communication is key to a trusting relationship. I’m not the swami when it comes to relationships as my last one was a dumpster fire, but that’s a story for another day.
So just let it whip. If you have that special someone, grab them and get them on the dance floor and have some god damn fun for fucks sake. Life is too short to always be down in the dumps.
I don’t care if you have rhythm or not move them hips. The rhythm will find you.
Musing 