The Positivity Issue (v.13)

Positivity In The Face Of Negativity
Tawanda Suessbrich- Joaquim
When we think of the past few months, on social, economic,
political and global levels, it’s enough to make
most of us frustrated. Some of us might laugh nervously.
Others might actually take a few moments to
hold in tears. It may, for some, seem like the world is
falling apart—an incapable president, environmental
issues not being taken seriously, police brutalities, less
and less rights for marginalized groups every day. The
list seems endless.
​But how do we stay positive in the face of all this negativity?
Is it even possible?
​I’ve found the answer to be yes. We can absolutely stay
positive, and here’s why—it’s the only way to make it
to where we want to go.
​We tend to think of things in terms of everlasting dichotomies—light
and dark, happy and sad, good and
bad, positive and negative. These ideas come from
thousands of years of survival through distinction,
knowing which plant is poisonous, expressing our
emotions, trusting the people in our tribe and protecting
ourselves against those who aren’t and so on and
so forth. But I don’t think things have to be so black
and white.
​Personally, I like to relate positivity and negativity to
ebbs and flows—picture a wave rushing in and out
again with the tide. Good times and not so good times
are like the seasons. We all go through our spring,
summer, fall and winter cycles, just like our environment
around us. The world and all the people in it
need to go through beautiful warm, sunny days spent
outside into cold, snowy days where we’d rather stay
in, because just when we think winter will never end,
the sky will clear and the flowers will start blooming.
And the seasons will begin all over again.
​Staying positive in times like these means understanding
that life is filled to the brim with happiness and
sadness, and both of them are good. They are good
because they are both essential to our growth as beings.
If we were never sad, we wouldn’t be so thankful
for laughter, for hugs and kisses, family and friends.
Sometimes we need a little bit of difficulty to push us
towards doing the best we can, towards working hard.
And at the end, it’s all worth it!
​I guess what I’m trying to say is: with the change in the
global atmosphere during the last year, you know this
year, 2017, is going to be all about big moves and even
bigger changes. So GO FOR IT. Don’t let anyone, including
yourself, keep you down. Begin every day with
an affirmation—a simple “I can do this,” “I’m beautiful”
or “inner peace equals outer peace” will help you
move mountains. Get off the couch. Take matters into
your own hands,
and don’t be afraid
to learn, to ask for
help. Spread love,
joy and knowledge
everywhere
you
with the change in the global
atmosphere during the last
year, you know this year,
2017, is going to be all about
big moves and even bigger
changes. So GO FOR IT.
go. Stay educated. Stay aware. Stay healthy, and do
whatever is best for you. Get together with people who
make you happy, eat your favorite foods, learn some-
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