Project [v. pruh-jekt] POSITIVITY Project [n. proj-ekt]

I recently embarked on a new and wonderful journey. I am training and studying to become a Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher (another blog for another time). During last weekend’s training session, one of the “lessons” we learned was to look for what our students are doing well in a yoga pose, prior to offering suggestions or adjustments. We, as teachers, are to change the way we see and perceive… and as my dear friend (who introduced me to yoga) would add… this is important “in yoga, as in life.” A portion of our homework assignment Sunday afternoon was to “look for the good” (off the yoga mat) ~ and let me assure you… this is easier said than done. After a few days of seeking points of light and goodness, I felt the need to expand my mission and invite others to join me in kicking the negativity habit. From this place of expansion, my coworkers and I organized and implemented the Project [v. pruh-jekt] POSITIVITY Project [n. proj-ekt].

For 24 hours, beginning at 8 am on the 24th day of June, we challenged ourselves and those around us to refrain from negativity and “look for the good”. Word quickly spread throughout my workplace (a nursing home), and within a short period of time, we had 28 participants!!! Each of us wore a brightly colored rubber band on our arm. The bands served 3 purposes… (1) Promote the project through the curiosity of others (2) Remind participants to remain positive – both proactively (brightly colored rubber band reminders) and “punitively” - *POP* (3) Create a game-like atmosphere that made the activity exciting and enticing. Who knew projecting a positive attitude could be so fun?

I learned a lot about people this week. There will always be stress and stressors, tragedy and failure, but when we open our hearts, our eyes open, as well. Experiences are neither good nor bad… it is our perspective that creates the labels we believe. People long for a sense of community. No one wants to feel isolated or alone. Although they may not admit or even recognize this truth, somewhere – deep within – everyone wants to belong to something greater than themselves. The beautiful reality is that we don’t have to come together and wallow in our misery (it DOES love company, you know), but we can also unite and create solid bonds through joy and laughter. I even found our Executive Director sporting a rubber band!

I came home with a few minor welts on my wrist Thursday evening. Most were self-inflicted pops. The project didn’t just apply to our verbalizations… it also applied to the thoughts we entertained about ourselves. *POP*POP*POP* By Friday morning, my friends were already requesting another 24 hours of positivity (permission to be positive)! So… the Project [v. pruh-jekt] POSITIVITY Project [n. proj-ekt] will continue… one day each week. For now we will designate a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday to channel our positive energy. Eventually we will work our way toward a “no negativity” Monday… but change takes time. :)

I encourage you to join us in this endeavor! I guarantee you will be transformed. We all know this is a very difficult period for our region, our communities, our neighbors, and ourselves. Without diminishing the severity of the Crude Crisis in the Gulf, we can deliberately seek, acknowledge and "... Hold on to the good." [1 Thes.5:21]. Be the eye of the hurricane, the calm before, during, and after this storm. As we look for what is going well we can remain steadfast in our prayers for the things that are not within our realm of control. We can let go, loosen our grip, and convert our unhealthy reactions to productive and beneficial action.

So… "Be a source of JOY and let the critics and haters complain about the world!" [Paulo Coelho]. Breathe. Experiment. Experience. Share.
Oh, and let me know about YOUR Project [v. pruh-jekt] POSITIVITY Project [n. proj-ekt]!!! I look forward to hearing from you!

Peace and love,
aeb :)