Happy Treasure Hunt Tuesday! This past week I heard a couple of different times about how our brains are more naturally prone to remember negative events or feelings rather than positive ones. A quick Google search provided much reinforcement, and just glancing through the keywords and opening sentences on the page stirred my heart even more deeply about the importance of intentionally looking for, giving thanks, and sharing the good stuff God provides in our lives.
Even small moments of gratitude can make a big difference in my perspective and frame of mind, and I hope you can be encouraged in these pursuits, too. Here are a few of my favorite treasures lately:
** You may already know how much I love summer, especially when there is a lot of good swimming weather like we’ve had the past few weeks. So it made my heart even happier to find this article adding scientific evidence to support carving out time to jump in the pool every day:
Just 20 Minutes of Swimming a Day Helps You Beat Stress, Sleep Better and Relieve Body Ache
** I loved being able to meet a friend for lunch in the local park one day last week, and we discovered they had a small garden planted in the middle of it. The sunflowers added some extra cheer… how fun!
** Then I was able to get together with another friend the next evening, and she showed me her favorite sunset spot at the lake. What a peaceful view!
** Of course I still love the sunsets at home, too…
** It was also a huge treasure to be able to take my niece to Holiday World yesterday. I love that it’s been an annual tradition for us, and we had an amazing day even with a little rain. It’s such a joy to spend time together and make great memories!
** Another great perspective-booster for me lately has been the song “Raise a Hallelujah” by Bethel Music. I’ve had it playing on repeat, and I appreciate how the lyrics spur me on to a better frame of mind, focusing on praising the God who is always worthy and always working.
“I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies.
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief.
I raise a hallelujah; my weapon is a melody.
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me.”
~ “Raise a Hallelujah” by Bethel Music
I’d love to encourage you to think about and share what helps foster a positive perspective for you, too…
Do you have a favorite activity that brings you joy or relieves stress?
Is there anything from nature that always uplifts your spirit or helps you see God’s goodness a little more?
Are there any people in your life who bring a smile to your heart with time together or even just thinking about them right now?
Is there a song that always puts you in a better mood or frame of mind?
(P.S. Check out last week’s post if you’d like to read more about song lyrics bringing perspective in prayer.)
Even taking a few moments to think of something positive, give thanks, and share it with someone else or write it in a journal can provide a big boost to your state of mind. And making a habit of these steps can help rewire our brains so they will be more likely to continue to take those positive paths in the future.
It’s not denying reality; rather, it is making a point to see more of the fullness of reality. God is always working in every circumstance–I want to have eyes to see and a heart to praise.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
~ Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
~ Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
I’d always love to hear any of your treasures, too! Feel free to leave a comment or send me a message on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
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