How to Spread Positivity in Your World Today


Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/insomnia90/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“Though I might travel afar, I will meet only what I carry with me, for every man is a mirror. We see only ourselves reflected in those around us. Their attitudes and actions are only a reflection of our own. The whole world and its condition has its counter parts within us all. Turn the gaze inward. Correct yourself and your world will change.”
Kirsten Zambucka

Improving your attitude and living a more positive life overall can take a lot of time and effort.

But a part of it can also be simple. You can spread positivity around you with small actions.

This will not only make you and other people feel better today. Over time you tend to get what you give.

You will make it easier for yourself to live a more positive life in the long run too.

Smile.

Smiling puts you and the people around you into a more positive mood. It even works when you don’t feel much like smiling.

Just try forcing a smile for 30 seconds if you are feeling a bit negative and see what happens.

Give a genuine compliment.

Compliments are awesome. But make it a genuine one. Make sure you really mean it or it may have the opposite effect as your insincerity shines through.

Find something a bit unexpected – like great taste in old soul music rather than looks – and something that is important to the other person and make a positive, appreciative comment about that.

Hugs.

A hug is, just like smiling, a simple physical thing that can make anyone feel a little better. People love hugs.

Encourage someone.

There is much discouragement in the world. You may hear from people around you, you may receive much negativity from the TV and newspapers.

Many will back down from doing something they want because of that atmosphere of discouragement.

So instead, be an exception and encourage people to believe in themselves and what they want to do.

Change the way you feel.

Emotions are contagious. So to spread positivity, know how you can create and sustain a positive attitude and optimistic mood. Know how to pick yourself up out of slumps.

Besides smiling, you can also appreciate life more, change your physiology, act as you would like to feel, ask better questions and recall positive memories to make a quick emotional shift.

Help someone out in practical way.

Maybe it’s not encouragement that is needed. Maybe it’s a practical solution.

So lend someone a hand when they are moving. Or give them a ride in your car. Or if they need information, try to find a solution via Google or by asking the people you know.

Just listen.

Sometimes people don’t want any help. They just want to vent or for someone to listen as they figure out things. It may not seem like much but it can be an immense help for someone who needs it.

So be there fully – don’t sit there thinking about something else – and listen.

Put things into perspective.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in a problem and to make a mountain out of a molehill. But you can help out by adding your perspective.

The two of you can talk about it, perhaps laugh about it and even find the hidden opportunity within the problem that in one person’s head may have almost seemed like the sky was falling.

Play positive music.

Uplifting music is of course a great way to boost your own mood. You can do the same for people around you.

Put on a really positive song when you are hanging out. Or send them an uplifting playlist for Spotify or a link to a video on Youtube.

Perform a random act of kindness.

Just holding up the door or pointing out the way for someone who seems lost can be a way to spread a little bit of positivity.

It’s always nice when someone you don’t even know does something kind for you.

Pay it forward.

If a friend or stranger spreads a bit of positivity to you then in some way pay it forward. Spread the positivity on to another person and let an upward spiral of positivity grow and expand in your world.

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About the Author

Henrik Edberg is the creator of the Positivity Blog and has written weekly articles here since 2006. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Gothenburg and has been featured on Lifehacker, HuffPost and Paulo Coelho’s blog. Click here to learn more…

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • My take would be “Express sincere gratitude.” Don’t just say “thanks” out of habit. Mean it by looking the waiter or cabbie in the eye when you speak. If it’s someone from work, express gratitude with a safe gesture such as tapping the shoulders or a really firm, two-hand-clasped handshake or ask how you could be able to help back. For people you love, don’t just let words work their meaning. Give a hug, a kiss or both. :) You’d be surprised how your expression of gratitude give you a positive feeling, put you in a positive mood and give positive powers to the people who got your expression.

  • This is very inspirational. Great way to start the day : )

  • Jayson

    I like this article very much. Looking forward for more cool articles from you. :-)