The election, the economy, the weather, and general concerns about the future of our country seem to take over the news these days. There’s always some headline-grabbing negative news story that can leave us feeling down. Many people are struggling with the polarizing status of our country when it comes to politics. Others feel like throwing in the towel and putting their head in the sand.

Don’t let this be you.

There is always hope. There is always a better day ahead. And remember – our American founding fathers were brilliant when they designed elections every four years.

There is always something good and plenty for which to be grateful.

The trick is not letting relentless negative news become your personal problems.

The media urges you to be pulled in, to live with fear and anxiety. Fear brings viewers, hungry for details and more news.

I encourage you to live above all this, and reject the concept that you should be pulled in and pulled down when things get rocky. Things in your life will get rocky. Maybe things already feel a little rocky. You don’t need to overact to these times.

If you feel like you need some relief from all the negative energy around you, then take a break. This could be for a few hours, or a few days. If watching or reading the news is causing you stress and frustration, let it go. You don’t need to follow every detail, and it may do you wonders to get away from it for a period of time or all together.

If getting past all the negativity in your world is difficult for you, I encourage you to try a few of these tips:

Go outside. Leave the news at home and go for a hike in nature, hands free. Don’t bring your smart phone. Just go out and be alone, or maybe with a good friend, with the plan to hike, walk or run.

Give Thanks for the Good Stuff. There are always good things in life to be grateful for. In your journal (if you don’t have one, then now’s the time) write down the top 5 things you’re thankful for and the top 5 things you’re looking forward to. Focusing on the goodness in your own life will help in taking your focus off national problems that you have little to no control over.

Remember that it’s Only Weather. This weekend it was snowing in Michigan. Yes – snow in mid-May. It was crazy, and I know a lot of people who spent their whole weekend bitterly complaining about it. I encourage you to laugh at snow in May. Choose humor as much as possible. Celebrate bizarre weather and don’t let it get you down. Weather is almost always small stuff. It’s just not worth complaining about.

Practice peace. The more peace you offer to people, the more peaceful you feel. Live a life of peace. Be kind, reach out. Remove negative thoughts from your mind and negative words from your vocabulary.

Surround Yourself with Positive People. We all need people to love us, encourage us and support us through the tough times in life. You become the average of the five adults you spend the most time with. Choose positive people to hang out with, and watch your own positivity grow, and watch your life start to flourish.

You are in charge of your own emotions and your attitude. You can’t control the weather, the news or the political climate of the country. You can only control your own thoughts and behaviors.

Your attitude is your choice. I encourage you to choose it well.

You and those around you are worth it.

Cheers!

Coach Brett Blair

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