I have always been a positive person. I don’t know why. I just always have. I guess it is a personality trait. It never felt like it was something I had to work at, it came naturally. My high school football coach said, “Preston is so positive, that if he was traveling in a plane that was going down, he would say, ‘maybe we’ll land in a tree!’” (I am an optimist as well). What I have learned over the years though is that while I am a positive person, that doesn’t make it impossible for me to have negative thoughts and emotions. I am not immune to feeling sad, angry, or sorry for myself. Thankfully, I have a strong support system to help me become my positive self again.
Many people, young and old, though, struggle with their mental health are constantly barraged by the thoughts and feelings of negativity. They feel angry, sad, alone, and anxious without having the ability or support to come out of it. It weighs on them all day and night. I can only imagine how these last six months have impacted these people, along with many others that have been overcome by the negative veil that seems to be hanging over us all right now. Times are tough and we need to be able to combat this onslaught of negativity.
In order to challenge this negative thinking, we need to come together as a community! We need to support those among us that cannot escape the negativity with love and compassion. They need to know that they are not alone and that there are MANY people who care about their well-being. They need to know that someone is willing to run 100 miles in 10 days to show them how much they love them.
It also takes self-care. When negative thinking starts to become more prevalent, we need to try and reflect on why we are feeling this way, name it, and seek out support to help see what you can do get in with the good, and out with the bad. Help is available in the form of loving, supportive people that want nothing more than to see you shine.
Take care of yourself, seek others for support, know that you are loved.
- Preston Rodriguez
10 for 10 Daily Inspiration | Day 9: Challenge Negative Thinking
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