In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realized, through it all, that… In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.
Truly yours, Albert Camus, French Philosopher
Bright Side.
Albert Camus really spoke to me here. It got me thinking about change & struggle. Do you resist it? I know I do. In order to train our mindset we need to explore our resistance & what we are struggling with.
We resist things that we feel like we can’t change or aren’t ready for. We don’t realize that it is this resistance which causes our suffering. It does more harm than the circumstances we are resisting.
Challenge? Level Up.
Lean into your resistance to find a way to soften & accept things.
How? Here’s the formula:
Do this by listing what you are resisting
List the bright side is for each
What? Here’s the challenge:
Level Up & practice this mindset reset technique for 21 days
You’ll thank me, promise, this cycle of negative dark side self-talk is history
My Struggles? Winter.
I resist winter, like I can change the season with my will to resist 😂. I’ve lived my life in a climate where winter can be harsh. You would think after 37 winters. The resistance would lessen, NOPE.
Every year it's a challenge. For me winter is synonymous with boredom, Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) & honestly, a fear of all the illnesses that fly around (*News Flash* My Virgo-OCD-self is a very tidy germaphobe).
Tool #1.
One of the tools in my arsenal that I use to fight my resistance is Two Word Story. Cheesy & TRUE!
I use all of my Level Up coaching techniques on myself, that’s how I know that they work. Two word story forces me to view things from the bright side & reset my perception to be helpful, instead of detrimental.
Two Word Story is my daily mindset reset, it lets me be present in the moment & find joy in simple things - the beauty of a new snowfall, accepting winter hibernation, & associating it with cuddling, sitting by the fire, hot cocoa, family.
Echos.
Finding the bright side & forming an appreciation for the positivity in every situation carries a positive ripple effect through all the layers of your life, much like an echo rebounding in a cave.
To realize the vast impact a small mindset reset can cause, retrospective introspection is essential. It’s so f-ing awesome to inspire YOURSELF, when you look back & realize how much growth & progress I’ve made.
Don’t ever forget that looking back to evaluate change is a MUST. You cut yourself off, by not retrospectively reviewing your progress & praising yourself for the strides you’ve made. You’re an amazing creature & the best praise you can get or give comes from you.
Tool #2.
Another tool I use in my battle against resisting resistance ( 😂) is the knowledge that all things have a beginning & end. Spring will arrive, as surely as Winter will recede. There is no sense in resisting, it’s comical to think that at some level I actually did (do) believe that my resistance would in any way have an impact on the reality of winter 😂.
To Sum It Up.
Accepting that which I cannot change, is a sort of freedom, I think... Certainly, practicing being comfortable with change → which is constant & relentless → has nurtured my inner strength & resilience to flourish.
Albert Camus said, “...In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer”. So, look on the bright side & let there be light. 🌟