Happy Easter everyone! Easter is all about new beginnings. Are you getting rid of any habits that are dragging you down? Or perhaps you’re choosing to create new ones that will do you some good? Good luck! One thing that I’d like to lessen is my being a worrywart. I tend to obsess over the littlest details to the point that the party pooper label’s nearing my forehead. It’s not easy to be spontaneous, but I’ll try harder. Here’s a toast to new beginnings!
I love the optimism that new beginnings bring. Venturing into this newness can sometimes be daunting though; self-doubt can pull you down, or others’ words can be quite discouraging. Here’s a line that I hope can help you deal with all these bad vibes. When I feel a not-so-nice situation coming my way, e.g. reading negative things, turning molehills into mountains, feeling my anger rise, I take a deep breath and repeat the following line to myself over and over:
“No to negativity.”
It’s a good mantra to have. I always feel calmer afterwards. My friends and I also remind one another about the mantra when one of us gets too wired up. Perhaps it can help you too. You can also try other mantras that can put you in a more positive frame of mind. How about “Chocolates… chocolates… chocolates…” or “White sand. Blue waves. White sand. Blue waves.” Or maybe cute little bunnies? What puts you in a good mood? What makes you feel better quickly?
I’m suddenly reminded of a scene from Disney’s Peter Pan. When Wendy and her brothers wanted to learn how to fly, Peter Pan told them, “Just think of a wonderful thought!” And they went, “Any happy little thought?” And so the kids thought of Christmas, snow and other good things. With the help of some pixie dust, they were able to fly! Oh what the heck, let me post the lyrics to the song from that scene:
You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!
Think of the presents you’ve brought
Any merry little thought
Think of Christmas, think of snow
Think of sleigh bells Here we go!
Like a reindeer in the skyYou can fly! You can fly!
You can fly! You can fly!Soon you’ll zoom all around the room
All it takes is faith and trust
But the thing that’s a positive must
Is a little bit of pixie dust
The dust is a positive mustYou can fly! You can fly!
You can fly! You can fly!When there’s a smile in your heart
There’s no better time to start
It’s a very simple plan
You can do what the birdies can
At least it’s worth a tryYou can fly! You can fly!
You can fly! You can fly!
So where was I? Ah, yes, positivity. When you’re down in the dumps, just say “No to Negativity” or think of “any merry little thought” and you, too, can fly, fly, fly, into positivity.
Again, a toast to new beginnings! Happy Easter!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Linnor
April 8, 2007 at 1:31 am (17 years ago)Happy Easter Toni!
This Holy Week, my family and I are into this little game (more of a challenge actually) to refrain from saying negative things/comments… Otherwise, we pay P1 to the pot.
It’s a great “learning” experience for everyone to have a positive attitude.
ganns
April 8, 2007 at 6:33 am (17 years ago)This is great, Toni! Your catchphrase is a surprise to me, because I’ve always thought of you as an upbeat person. Isn’t “No to negativity” negative, though? 😉 Wouldn’t “yes to positivity” be better? LOL
For new beginnings, I claim (in the risen Christ’s name) victory over sarcasm! Starting now. Hwek hwek hwek.
Leah
April 8, 2007 at 9:27 am (17 years ago)A good mantra for sure. When all goes bad, think of something good about it.
I would probably try to set goals and fulfill them, just like New Year’s resolution.
Happy Easter Toni
jey
April 8, 2007 at 11:10 am (17 years ago)happy easter, toni! and i think i should keep and practice the same mantra – no to negativity – and just live life with all the positive vibes.
thanks, toni! =)
Toni
April 8, 2007 at 12:07 pm (17 years ago)ganns: Sometimes saying NO is more powerful than saying YES. 😉
Daphne
April 8, 2007 at 4:32 pm (17 years ago)I’ve always gotten a positive vibe from your posts in your blog. And that’s why you won at the Philippine Blog awards, imho.
What makes me feel better? I bombard my best friend’s inbox with my whining rants so I have someone to absorb them and the longer my emails I feel better after pouring out all my sama ng loob. He probably gets all stressed out when he sees an email from me nowadays. But hey not every email naman is negative, so there! 😀
Happy Easter, Toni. Here’s to new beginnings!
Miguel
April 9, 2007 at 12:30 am (17 years ago)Hi Toni! Thanks for this post… I need it right now
barbara
April 9, 2007 at 3:46 pm (17 years ago)I’m so in love with positive vibes right now and thank you for sharing this thought. I love it a lot that I’ve put it on my “inspirational- thought- white board”.
I spend so much of my time in the office that sometimes I forget to think of the good things. So one day I decided to post a white board, where I can pust good thoughts.
I started with 3, and now have added your positive thought.. “NO TO NEGATIVITY”. It will be there for a long time
thank you.
Check them out here – http://www.papelpapel.net/pic_library/office1.jpg
close up – http://www.papelpapel.net/pic_library/office2.jpg
-Miss B
Kay
April 9, 2007 at 5:12 pm (17 years ago)I need to keep this is mind since tomorrow will surely be a toxic day at work since its day 1 from a 5 day holiday weekend.
Sidney
April 9, 2007 at 7:11 pm (17 years ago)Happy Easter to you and your family !
rach
April 9, 2007 at 11:06 pm (17 years ago)Hi Toni! Glad to see you’re back from your short break. What a positive way to start a new post. I’ve always been grateful to your blog because of the good things you share with your readers. I agree with Daphne, you have a way of spreading good vibes through your blog. Keep it up.
That’s a good mantra. Sometimes I tell myself (addressing myself like a third person), “That’s okay Rachel. It’s not the end of the world.” I tell myself these words after feeling disappointed about certain things, events and people.
I also worry about the smallest detail. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to concentrate when something is bothering me. I often turn to my husband when I feel troubled. When I hear him say that it’s alright and things will be better soon, I somehow feel reassured.
Belated Happy Easter. Sorry wasn’t able to drop by yesterday. I was out with my family and had a terrific time. I’ll share more about it on my blog soon.
tin
April 10, 2007 at 8:21 am (17 years ago)This post went straight to my heart… Need to lose the negative energies in me!! (my short temper and yes, my being worry wart too!)
romela
April 10, 2007 at 4:36 pm (17 years ago)“No to negativity”. I was hoping for some longer, more profound statement… but it did the trick effectively though! You’re right, life is simply all about how we choose to think of it regardless of the situation, and what others would say. Keep the positive spirit, and happy Easter too!
vina
April 10, 2007 at 8:31 pm (17 years ago)happy easter tons!
hehe, like you, i get affected easily by even the littlest things. i just worry and think too much. luckily, i’m very babaw lang din. it’s easy to put a smile on my face. konting joke and suyo lang, ok na ako.
but i’m really thankful to N, because he made me realize that i’ve been spending too much energy on being sad and negative when, really, i shouldn’t. he’s such a positive energy, and he is one of the main reasons (if not the main reason), that i am having so much fun now.
Toni
April 16, 2007 at 7:14 pm (17 years ago)kay: I didn’t do a single cleaning thing during the loooong weekend. Come to think of it, I hardly clean during Saturday and Sunday. Those days are meant to be savoured! 😉
Sydney: We had a great Easter. I hope you did too! Thanks for the greeting.
Miss B: Wonderful! I love your inspirational board. I particularly liked the quote “I deserve the best and accept the best now.” Beautiful for as long as you do your best in everything too!
rach: Thank you for the kind words! A good support system helps us deal with all the negativities of life. We are lucky to have such wonderful and helpful husbands.
tin: It’s so difficult to let go of worries, especially when we want to be in control. I think that for as long as get to balance our worries and our need for control, we will be fine. Easier said than done, however.
romela: It’s short and sweet, and does the trick!
vina: I like what you said about N having that positive energy, and how it cascades on to you. This is precisely why I like surrounding myself with happy people and happy things. There’s just way too much anger and sadness out there, I would not want it to consume me. Happiness is wonderfully contagious and even the littlest spark of positivity can trigger a beautifully peaceful experience.
Toni
April 17, 2007 at 3:59 pm (17 years ago)Migs: I hope you’re much better now.
Have a good week.
Daphne: Thank you so much for those very positive and encouraging words! They put a big smile on my face. Maraming salamat.
Jey: Yes, stay away from negativity, surround yourself with positive people… that helps a lot. Take care!
Leah: It’s a cliche, but every cloud does have a silver lining. It’s hard sometimes to spot it but there is one for sure. Hope your week is good!
Ganns: Ah but saying no is sometimes more powerful and positive than saying yes. And… how’re your new beginnings coming along? Hehe.
Linnor: I like that! We also have a “Cussin’ Pot” at home but we hardly use it. Not because we don’t say bad words, but because we don’t know where to put the pot. Our home is just so crammed, hahaha. I’ll try that P1 for every negative thought/comment. What a great practice! I hope that pot does NOT get filled up.
Cheers!