What is right, right now?

What is one thing in your life that is right, right now?

Is your family healthy? Do you have someone that loves you? Are you safe?

Day-to-day life can be hard. There are stressors, to-do lists, chores, and more to do than time to do it. When we are in the middle of it all, it’s easy to find all of the things that are wrong.

My friend, Stephanie Dalfonzo, shared this simple question in a Facebook Live discussion. It’s a small question with a big impact.

Take your home for example. Whether you live in an apartment, house, or on a friend’s couch, it’s easy to look around and find all of the things that you wish were different. The walls might need to be painted, carpet might need to be replaced, or maybe you are dying to get rid of the wallpaper you’ve had since 1985. I’m sure you can look around and find quite a few things you wish were different.

But when was the last time you looked around your home or living space for the things that are right? Do you have electricity? Running water? A comfortable place to sit or sleep?

When we zero in on what’s right in our life, our brain begins to scan the environment for whatever is top of mind. If you’re looking for good stuff, you’re much more likely to find it. Doing this often will literally change the neural structure and function of your brain, offsetting your negativity bias. It also produces dopamine and serotonin which will lift your mood and calm your nervous system. You’ll find yourself in a positive spiral, rather than a negative one.

So, here is your assignment (should you choose to accept it):

Write the following on a piece of paper or a sticky note and display it somewhere you will see regularly (computer monitor, refrigerator, bathroom mirror, etc.): WHAT IS RIGHT, RIGHT NOW?

Since our brain cares more about our survival than our happiness, it is constantly looking around every corner to find what’s wrong. Unfortunately, we tend to find what we look for. This week, try looking for what’s right about your home, job, kids, family, and life.

Then next time you find something wrong, counter it by finding something that’s right.

Be intentional about finding the good in people and situations. Take notice of little moments, appreciate small gestures, and communicate your gratitude to others. The more specific, the better. Your brain becomes primed to start finding the good stuff out there, and there is plenty of it — even in difficult times.

You can double down on these positive emotions by taking time to savor them. Every time you sit in a positive moment, you embed it more deeply into the neural structure of your brain. Whether it is savoring the first sip of coffee, snuggling with your pups, sending a text of gratitude to a friend, or binging a new Netflix series, delicious moments are all around us if we just take time to experience them.

Leave a comment on social or send me an email at [email protected]. Let me know one thing in your life that is right, right now, and as always, share your delicious moments!

Stay brave and resilient,

Anne

And don’t forget…every single day for the month of November, practice at least one random act of kindness. We rarely know at the time what a huge impact a small act of kindness may have on someone’s day or even someone’s life. Let’s make kindness go viral this month!