Hi! I’m currently sharing some ideas I have through this blog series

10 Things I Would Tell ANYONE

and today I’m going to write about

#9: The Very Clichéd Concept of Positive Thinking: Well, What’s Your General Attitude?

In my upcoming book (shameless plug, details to come), I unabashedly share the ups and downs of my internal thought processes, my anxiety disorders, my temporary leaning towards psychotic violence, and ultimately my growth into a reasonably normal (-ish), relatively compassionate and empathetic, generally sort of okay person.

No, the truth is that I’ve become very compassionate toward others. Whereas I used to find people (anyone but me, and let’s face it, often me also) annoying and objectionable, now I’m in a state of mind where I try to be completely accepting and loving of everyone. I did say, “I try” in that sentence. It’s not easy or natural; it’s a goal.

I want to encourage you to have a general attitude of positivity. I want you to welcome each day as having opportunities in store for you – opportunities to connect with and have impact on others, opportunities for personal growth, opportunities to choose kindness over violence (I love the “they chose violence” meme, don’t you?), and so on.

Most of my life has been spent fighting against the clichés. I hate them. But I find they are true – sorry to disappoint. Just take it from me, it’s easier to just accept each and every one of them and integrate them into your personality than it is to try and carve out your own unique slant on things – you can’t do it! I always thought I was a realist, not a pessimist, but realism is actually pretty negative. More recently I’m trying to see the positive, the good, the joy, the uplifting nature in things. I’ve made the choice to create a little world of positivity for me to live in. And yes, before you say it, I know that it’s easy to cynically say “Oh, he’s living in his own little dream world.” Right. I mean, I agree. In the past, I have said that about others with great disdain. But let me say this – I just don’t want to be miserable anymore.

What this means is I’m not going to doom-scroll the news headlines. I’m not going to worry too much about the big issues that plague humanity and Earth, or the fact that humanity is a plague upon the Earth. I’m not going to look at life through the angry, disgusted lens of some OK Boomers and Far Right Conservative Republicans I know (often one and the same). I’m not getting political – I’m giving examples so hold your horses there, partner! To that point, I’m not going to read about, think about, or participate in politics – all it does is bring me down! Forget it! I’m going to focus on the things that bring me joy and make me happy. Period.

So I ask you to examine your own mindset. Are you generally positive or negative? Are you generally happy or agitated? You have some choice in this, and choice is everything in life (more on that later).

This entry might be a little preachy, and if it comes across that way, I do apologize. It’s just that I’ve wasted a lot of time feeling bad up until more recent years and I want to change that. And I want you to learn from my mistakes. Don’t be like me – you can do better than this ! Obviously!

Kind of on that note, I’m on medication to manage my anxiety just so that I can function. I share this (openly, all the time, like a broken record, ask my friends) to say, if your mental condition is not good, don’t wait, seek help. If you are suffering physically, seek help, don’t stall. Learn from my mistakes – don’t wait!

It’s up to you. But I encourage you to actively manage your own attitude, feel great, be great, be good to others and slay the day! Every day!

Thanks for reading! Cheers!

Your friend,

Rock Rockstead is – despite your protests to the contrary – an author, blogger, artist and professional procrastinator. His accomplishments are few but he did write a book (shameless plug). Website and social media links to appear here soon. It’s a work in progress, like us.