Being Positive

I went on a retreat with the Clark County Youth Commission this weekend (3/21-3/23).  What this retreat was about, was on our policy assignment to the Board of County Commissioners on the policy of Community Well-Being.  What does this topic mean? Well, this topic roots from the idea of happiness, and what makes a community really happy.  Last year, we tackled the topic of Youth Violence Prevention, and this year we decided to take on the flip side of the negative, and are focusing on the positives.

Anyways, through this retreat we really got down and researched methods of reducing negative thoughts.  Thinks like mindfulness, putting yourself in other people's shoes, meditation, and other various methods like keeping a positive journal.  Lately, I have realized that my blogs have been very negative.  From the combination of multiple stressors in my life, it has been hard for me to keep positive.  So, within our research for our Policy assignment, one aspect that we found was that writing a positive journal about things you are grateful for can reduce negative thoughts, increase exercise and countless other good symptoms. 

As a result, I plan on updating my blog with a "Positive Journal" post once a week.  This would potentially just include 3 things that I am grateful for, for the past week... who knows, maybe I will write a lot on them; maybe not.
 

1. My Friends: Although it may seem obvious, this week was good because of my friends in many aspects.  My friends were there for me when I needed it; things like when I asked a girl to prom, helping me with math when I needed it and keeping me company in the wee-hours of the night. My friends have been so important this week, supporting me when I need help and giving me inspiration to
2. The Youth Commission: Sometimes I am completely in love with the Youth Commission, sometimes I feel that it overwhelms me.  This week, being my last retreat with the Youth Commission, I am definitely in love. From the research presentation, to my late night pillow fights, to the impromptu musicals to fight for the mustache kingdom; my weekend has truly been amazing because of the Youth Commission and all the volunteers and people in it.  This also gives me hope that there will be a better tomorrow, because of the passion, and interests each student has. 
3. The Colleges I have been accepted to: When one applies to a college, one can be accepted or rejected.  Although the last week has been full of rejection, I think about the positives.  I still have colleges I have been accepted to, like the University of Washington and Boston College.  Although it is hard to accept these letters of rejection, and it is hard to think positively, I am most definitely thankful for the schools I have been accepted to.