Something Positive
- allisonsheff
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Originally posted February 27, 2025
After briefly checking Facebook and all it’s horrors this morning, I found myself typing the words “something positive” into Google. I was desperate for something, anything, to get me out of the negative thought cycle and rumination that is so easily activated these days. I’ve also felt like I’m not entitled to “think positive” right now. I feel an obligation to not be happy out of a sense of duty to those who are struggling or fear of letting my guard down.
Then I read a passage from Dr. Martin Seilgman, who is often referred to as “the father of positive psychology”. He talks about how it’s easy to think positive in good times, but it’s in the dark times, when it seems like there is no hope, that we really need to lean into the positive. By finding the positive in bad situations, we can help develop greater resilience and coping skills for setbacks and challenges.
Like an algorithm, we get what we focus on. If we see something negative, we then seek out more negativity. As humans we have a negativity bias that stems from our caveman days. This bias helps us detect and prepare for danger, which is super great when you are being pursued by a bear, but not so great when it you justify doom scrolling as a way to “stay informed.” We need to retrain our internal algorithm to seek out the positive.
I am not in any way suggesting that we bury our heads in the sand and ignore what is happening in the world. I’m saying it’s not healthy to live in a negative thought loop of doom, and our perspective and our attitudes are clouded when we spend so much time in that state. Find the joy and possibilities amidst all the shit. As Mr. Rodgers would say “Look for the helpers.”
So, what did google give me? I had to dig, but here is what I found in my search. I’d love to hear where you are finding joy and inspiration these days.
An actor who is helping a disabled stage manager get a wheelchair capable van so he can get back out in the world. He has appropriately titled this “Help Carl Gain Mobility and JOY…”
Julie Andrew’s memoir about surviving WWII as an artist in the UK. The hills were not alive with the sound of music…in fact, Ms. Andrews had quite a difficult childhood that frequently involved ducking into bomb shelters. Her attitude and her resilience are inspiring and I would love to have her as a guest (never hurts to put it out there!)
The Parkinson’s Voice Project that is helping people with Parkinson’s regain their ability to speak.
Patagonia’s activism.
Builders This nonpartisan nonprofit led by 300 influential leaders with diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and expertise, who are uniting to defy our divides, reduce polarization and working towards solutions and not sides.
This café that offered free coffee to anyone that shared their favorite dance moves.
This site dedicated to nothing but Postive.News
Some resources:
Martin Seligman and the Rise of Positive Psychology-an article from the National Endowment for the Humanities
A gratitude journal. You can download this free journal, or just follow these simple guidelines: Write down 3 things you are grateful for. Write down 1 thing from the past that you are grateful for. Write down one thing in the future you are grateful for, as if it has already happened.
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Thanks for sharing part of your day with Anxiety and the Artist. Be healthy. Stay creative.
-Allison and the A&A team
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