Originally published on Kasamaalee.com on July 28, 2015 By Kasama Lee.
“A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you can’t go anywhere until you change it.” ~ Unknown
Have you ever been around a person who doesn’t see much good in the world? I mean the sky is clear blue, they’d say it’s too hot. Or when it starts to rain, they get upset that they didn’t have an umbrella instead of dancing in the rain? Let’s call them “Darkness.”
Then there’s that one person, let’s call them “Sunshine.” No matter how rotten things are in their lives, they manage to find one good thing to be grateful for out of the whole mess, no matter how small.
Now let me ask you. If you had to be trapped in a 30-storied elevator with either “Darkness” or “Sunshine,” who would you choose to be stuck with?
I believe you know the answer. So given you have a choice, which one would you rather be for yourself and for others?
If you picked “Darkness,” you may want to close this page now.
If you picked “Sunshine,” you’re at the right place. Read on.
Here are 3 simple steps to be a sunshine every single day.
1) Bedtime ritual: Before you go to sleep, read, listen or watch something positive or inspirational. I would skip the news. Your brain is like a sponge. It soaks up what you feed it and stores it into the night so it will replay what you fed it again in the morning. Have you ever said to someone, “What’s wrong with you? Did you get up on the wrong side of bed or something?” Now you know why.
2) Morning ritual: First thing after you wake up. Refrain from getting on other people’s agenda: no phone, no computer, no TV and no newspaper.
Get on your morning self-care routine first. I’m one of those people who need their sleep. I don’t function well at all when I’m sleep-deprived. So I’ve made a decision a while ago to go to bed early so I could get up 30-45 minutes earlier than before. Yes, you heard that right. I choose to get up extra early so I could pray, meditate, read, write and I often times manage to get in some exercise. Those are my self-care routine. I figured once I’m taken care of, there’s plenty more of me to be the sunshine for myself and for others around me.
This is huge! You could either create your own agenda or you will become other people’s agenda. It all depends on what you focus on first thing in the morning.
3) This is a tough one! Here it is. SMILE!!! It’s free.
You can smile all day long. I was just at a restaurant where their corporate culture is about being enthusiastic, positive and friendly. The young man who took my order smiled the whole time. It was an awesome and rare experience to see. You think he might have had some practice?
When was the last time you stood in front of the mirror and practiced smiling? I’ve had to do that lately so I’ll remember to smile when I’m being taped or even when I’m speaking to one person. It was weird to have to practice smiling at first but I’m so glad I went all in for it. Why not?
Your smile could change the whole atmosphere, especially when the rest of the crowd don’t even make the effort to smile. You’re not doing this just to be the sunshine. Would you think it’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re smiling?
So here’s the challenge I will leave with you. I know all this could sound overwhelming to take on all at once. So pick one routine you would adopt for the next 21 days. Would it be the bedtime routine, the morning routine or simply being conscious contributor and simply smile at a stranger when you make eye contact!
I know you would start feeling the positive ripple effect surrounding you. Leave me a comment below the blog and let me know what you will do differently and do give me your update!
I dare you! Go on and be the “Sunshine!” The world needs you!
By the way, here are more self-care tips! They’re awesome if used as prescribed.
Kasama is a mother, a wife, a well-recognized inspirational speaker who has become a mentor, a coach, a consultant to women in business who want to live the life they love. She is a certified John Maxwell leadership speaker, trainer and coach. She’s a creator of an online program, Wonder Women: A Transformation To Your Best Life in 30 Days