by Jeannie Pitt

Created on: December 25, 2008

They always say, "It's best to keep a positive attitude." Having a positive attitude is almost always easier said than done, unless you've experienced a spot of pure and blissful enlightenment. Most of us don't fall into that category, though we may be searching, so here are some tips to help keep a positive attitude in times of trouble, sadness, and rough times. Even if you're just having a bad day, you may find ways to pull yourself up to a more peaceful place.

The most important way to combat irritation, guilt, anxiety or stress is to stay in the "now." The present moment, this one right here, is all we've got. We all know this, but tend to forget it the moment after we remember it. Staying in the now and not wandering around with your mind in the past or the future is a tough thing to do. Like anything else, this will take some practice. The best way to build up skill in using this important tool is to practice it while you're doing a mundane chore; preferably one that you really don't like. Let's use doing dishes as an example.

If you can't stand washing dishes, you might avoid it, put it off, or at minimum, get overly anxious and irritable when time for the chore comes around. Next time you're up for dishwashing, try this exercise. Plant your feet firmly in front of the sink and assess your situation. Go into it with a sense of control and accomplishment. As you begin to wash, notice things like how the soap lathers, the temperature of the water, the patterns of your dishes, and the moves you normally make unconsciously to get your dishes as clean as possible. Don't think about all the other things on your to-do list. You're not going to get to them until the dishes are done. Don't think about how guilty you feel for having put off dishwashing for this long. That's over because you're washing your dishes right now. Stay in the moment. Stay with the dishes. If all this sounds kooky, then feel free to go right on being anxious or angry about having to do your dishes.

Now that you've done the dishes, this nicely transitions us to the next point. We all know that organization feels better than clutter. It just does. You may have convinced yourself that you don't mind living with clutter, but let the maid come in and clean it all up for you and see how different you feel in that space. If you can't afford to pay for housecleaning, then unfortunately it's on you. Don't overwhelm yourself, but take 10-minute periods throughout your day to organize little sections

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