WE DO WHAT WE DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE – #BellLetsTalk
You are committed to helping others. Do you remember why you chose this path? Don’t lose sight of that passion. Stop to admire the small victories, and you will see that your efforts make a big difference.
© Soloviova Liudmyla / Adobe Stock
Flourishing
Living within an optimal range of human functioning, one that connotes goodness, generativity, growth, and resilience
– Fredrickson & Losada, Am Psychologist, 2005
Vs.
Languishing
Living a life that is ‘hollow’ or ‘empty’
– Keyes, J of Health Soc Behavior, 2002
MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF BASIC HUMAN NEEDS
Self-Actualization
‘Feeling on top of the world’
Self-Esteem
‘I like me’
Love And Belonging
‘I feel all warm and squisy’
Security And Safety
‘I feel safe’
Physiological Needs
‘I’m warm, dry, fed and rested’
Have you heard of the Positivity-Negativity Ratio? It is the ratio of pleasant to unpleasant ‘feelings, thoughts, and attitudes’ over time.
Experiencing Compassion Satisfaction vs. Compassion Fatigue is based on sustaining an optimistic outlook and creating an environment in which you experience more positives than negatives.
THE POSITIVITY-NEGATIVITY RATIO – THE GOLDEN RULE IS 3:1
Easier said than done? Preventing Compassion Fatigue is easier than overcoming mental and emotional struggles. Here are some ideas to help you develop and sustain an optimistic attitude. Baby steps.
Focus on the positive
-concentrate on the things that are working for you
-adapt a ‘glass half full’ attitude. Look for any good you can in each situation – or a way to change a situation into a good one. Find ‘the silver lining’
-put your game face on and play to win
-find positive meaning in negative events-find benefit in adversity
-find hope
Live your life through ‘An Attitude of Gratitude’
-show kindness – express kindness in your words and
-show respect and appreciation
-smile for yourself, and for strangers you pass on the street. Smiles make everyone’s day brighter
-share compliments and commend others on their successes
-carry out little acts of kindness – without expectation
-create a ‘gratitude journal.’ It is impossible to be stressed, depressed and angry, while you are in a state of gratitude
Embrace Life
-assume that all people are honest and compassionate
-be forgiving – give second chances and be grateful to receive them
-be open to the possibilities life has to offer
-believe that your best days are yet to come
-embrace change
-trust in yourself, and the universe your faith (whatever that means to you)
Laugh Out Loud
-laugh with others
-laugh at yourself (and your animal companions)
-laugh when you don’t feel like laughing – try to remember something that makes you laugh and use that to get you through a tough moment
-laughter releases ‘feel good’ endorphins and helps us cope with stress
Take what you do seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously
– Staples, Your Life Unlimited, 2013
I hope this post finds you when you need it and preferably, before xoxo
What a lovely and inspring post! Thank you for this.
Dash Kitten Crew recently posted…It’s Cable Car Day Around the World
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Wow I need to print this out and make a wall hanging out of it! So many excellent things to consider. I aim to have a flourishing life yet there are times these reminders of what to focus on would come in handy – I feel this is true for all of us so thank you for inspiring all who come across this post to reflect on these positive things!
Joely Smith recently posted…10 Out Of The Box Things Couples Can Do On A Tight Budget
Stay tuned – more positive ideas to come…..
I love the baby steps, each step forward is a wonderful feeling and as we always say “Laughter is the best Medicine” Thanks for this wonderful post
Laughter definitely is therapeutic. Our furkids give us plenty to laugh about 😉
Laughs, smiles, compassion, kindness, trust – makes the world a better place for all of us and it feels good too. Thanks for sharing.
Val Silver recently posted…2106 Amazing Animal Rescue Videos
It definitely makes this world a better place. Thanks.
These are some great words to live by. I love the photo how happy you both look.
Tonya Wilhelm recently posted…Bringing an Outdoor Cat Indoors, How To Bring an Outdoor Cat Indoors
I do try to practice what I preach lol
A very beautiful post and a good reminder to live with gratitude – the world will open up in miraculous ways if we just are simple loving life!
Rebecca at MattieDog recently posted…Our Dog Has A Magical Butt…Time For Fish
I love that!
This is wonderful, I barely remember my psychology classes from college, but I think that in order to achieve that top tier, you need to have all the bottom tiers filled. Which is why it is so important for people involved in rescue to also take care of themselves. If you are physically drained, it takes a toll on the rest of your life.
I haven’t read the THE POSITIVITY-NEGATIVITY RATIO before, but that seems to make a lot of sense.
Beth recently posted…In Loving Memory: Syler the Boxer
…and if we deplete our energy we aren’t able to care for others.
I work very hard on only putting positive thoughts out, so I can receive more positive in my life. It can be a challenge in unexpected ways. What a wonderful article to remind us all of how our thoughts and general mindset can affect our overall lives.
Positivity weighs less (on the mind and the body).
I’ve experienced too much compassion fatigue the past few years. I look forward to my upcoming retirement.
Sweet Purrfections recently posted…Wordless Wednesday
Please take care of yourself.
Positivity and self-care are important and often get neglected. I’m working on it myself!
Tenacious Little Terrier recently posted…My Dog Training Inspiration or Ode to Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
I’m glad to hear that!
I always forget about this ratio; thank you for reminding me. When life gets hard I tend to forget about the things that could uplift me, about the positive input that I should be focusing on to balance things out. It never does any good to dwell on the negative, but when struggling with anxiety and depression, the “negative” can become a person’s new normal.
Let’s change your normal! I look forward to sharing some fun, positive ideas very soon 😀
Love this post. Good reminders of how to live a good, happy life. It is possible, even though many don’t think so!
Some people have it figured out. I’m sure we can all find something to smile about.
Finding a partner to laugh out loud with has been one of the greatest shifts in my life. So grateful. Focusing on the “wins” is so very important. in all things.
Well said, Sonja!
Very inspirational. Thank you so much for sharing this.
My pleasure!