“How do you maintain your composure when you feel like you’re losing control?
How do you stay on track when it seems that nothing is going to plan?
How do you rise above your circumstances when you feel that there is no hope?”
These are just a few of the questions that have entered my mind in the last two weeks following an outpouring of feedback, kindness and love from people of all walks of life and in various places, both geographically and emotionally.
My response to these questions about how to stay positive, motivated and inspired to achieve your goals, is to remind others and myself that it is important to surround yourself with people who see the beauty, drive, promise and unfulfilled potential in you. These are the people who have your back and who will pick you up when you’re down. They are precious and must be treasured and reminded that they are precious every chance you get.
In choosing your ‘friends’, you must be very careful. In our real lives as well as in our virtual lives, it is true that not everyone who is on our ‘friends list’ is our friend! This is a point worth remembering as our lives become more and more influenced by social media . I’ve been known to even delete connections/tweeters/friends, who over an extended period of time, give off bad vibes. I truly believe that you must surround yourself with positivity – thoughts, people, friends and family. Life is just too short to put up with the negative energy.
Another key to keeping positive for me is to accept that there’ll be good days and bad days. Yes, even the most positive people, are allowed to have down days. It’s ok. These are days in which everything that could go wrong, seems to go wrong and you even begin to question whether you are even up to the challenges. These are the days that separate the people who are simply strong from those who are mentally strong, resilient and downright tenacious. The ‘real friends’ will go out of their way to check in on you and keep you focussed too. This is why you have to choose those friends carefully. They’ll often play a big part in how quickly you bounce back. As I’m known to say, “it’s spilled milk, move on. Tomorrow is another day”. As Maya Angelou says, “still I rise” which serves as inspiration for me to brush myself off and try again.
Remember where you’re coming from. Be proud of your past, heritage and life’s journey. Look back, help someone, be kind. It may just be a telephone call to someone who needs to talk. You have no idea what impact your ‘little act’ will have. Giving back to others in need is your duty. The world needs more of it. Be an encourager. Be an inspirer. Be a challenger. Bring out the best in people. Share your successes and lessons learned. It will help you and others to stay grounded and focussed.
So, remember to maintain your composure even if you feel like you’re losing control. Stay on track even when you feel like nothing’s going to plan. Rise above your circumstances even when you feel like there is no hope. My journey on this road of life has taught me many lessons. One of the key lessons is to live positively because you don’t know who you’re inspiring!!! Recent events have served to reinforce this. Thank you friends! I’ve been buoyed by your well wishes. I needed the reminder. 😊👍🏽
Until next time, trod on!
Follow my journey on Twitter: @mcintoshnichole. Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/thehumantouch0304/. Instgram: @tyrese876 and @nichole.mcintosh
Nichole McIntosh FRSA 