Week 9: Positivity Campaign

H and I were arguing. It was hour 3. I tried every technique I knew to get us out of our defensive postures: joking, uniting against a common enemy/cause; nothing worked. Until H said,

You know what I think? We focus only on the negative parts of our relationship and not the positive.

It was the turn we needed. I seized that ball of light and ran with it. "You're right," I said. "That's my thing, too. I need your help."

Another aspect of negativity has been revealed to me this week that helps me get a better grasp of the Parasite. (Negativity - your days are numbered!)

In my first week of Lent, tackling negativity was an exciting, amorphous concept. The rush of the decision carried me through the first few days. But quickly I was arguing, depressive, worrying, fretting, griping and losing my temper as usual.


With the end of this second week (on my late Lent schedule), the necessity of a game plan has arisen and is quickly being addressed. It is not about killing some diffuse, nameless cloud. It is about the mundane, regular steps that take us through the day. These little shifts will make the earth quake.

So I'm beginning with a tip from H:

Stop listening to angsty music. (I hate emos anyway.)

And one from me (I'm listening to Kanye right now):

It's easy to be in a good mood when the sun is so bright. For a light-starved gal who just flew back from the suicidally-foggy Bay Area last night, I'm reveling in the rays of Amun-Ra. (check out my balcony! -->)

I believe the Universe is supportive of this act in the little signs it sends. Even the latest issue of Psychology Today declares:

"MORE THAN ANY OTHER MAJOR PERSONALITY TRAIT, OPTIMISM IS A MATTER OF PRACTICE."

Another article from the positive psychologists (damn I should have applied to that program after all!), it delivers the great news:

"Learning to think like an optimist, it turns out, is less important than acting like one."


"To heighten joy in life...when something good happens...make time to pay attention to it. Share the experience: The happiest people celebrate triumphs with others."

On mind-set:

"Are you concentrating on avoiding failure or looking forward to an opportunity to do something well?"

(this issue also has a correlative article on the maladaptive rigidity of perfectionism - although it should have had an Asian kid as its model)

Prayer for Positivity:

Dear Lord help me to give up negativity for Lent as perfectly as your Son.

Goddesses love me and protect.

Universe remind me that I am loved and there is enough to go around.