Looking on the Bright Side

Sep 5

Picture this, a flat tire on your way to an important day at work, and you are already running late. Or imagine a purple cloud filled with raindrops pouring down on you, your spouse, and all 300 of your wedding guests. How about when you tried out for the tennis team, but your body ached in soreness during your audition? These are shifting moments that many of us experience in our lives, and they can cause much distress.

Children and adults alike will experience sadness, anger, disappointment, and discouragement; we didn't ask for it to be this way; it's merely a part of being human. We should expect that everything in life doesn't go according to plan, but it is how we move on from these situations that build the most character.

Children are masters when it comes to creating more reasons to be cheerful. Amazingly, they have even mastered this ability while gazing in the face of adversity, sadness, and discouragement. Think about it: if things don't always go according to plan, why not change things for the better?

Many of our young male campers love to chat about weaponry, tanks, and jets. They marvel at the strength of these massive machines and the precise killing mechanisms that man has created for protection and dominance. Although it is incredible to witness these weapons advance, we shouldn't forget how their practice can cause severe pain for others affected.

The jump from sadness and destruction to happiness and wonderments was no match for Juwan from camp Seoul. As we spoke about his impressive tank engine and genius catapult that he built, he revealed, "I would like this tank to shoot confetti and start a party.". This creative reality where war machines turn into party machines is a nice brain-break from our gruesome world of war zones and injustice.

Most of us are blessed enough to avoid dangerous war areas, but that doesn't mean that a brain break from reality is unnecessary. Think back to the beginning scenario about the gloomy purple cloud that hovered over your wedding, a most important event that took months of planning, saving, and decorating. Mother nature has no rules, and frequently, humans will rely on her mercy to stay at peace.

Another positive-thinking technique that our campers revealed was during a loud evening thunderstorm. Cami shared that she could not sleep through the storm and was having trouble relaxing through the thunderous booms and the striking bolts of light. You can't make the storm clouds disappear (as I said, we are at the mercy of mother nature), so what did Cami do?

Cami dreamed that she could play outside in the storm. Playing outside with her friends makes her feel happy, and she thought about what it might feel like to frolic in the storm's rain puddles, whirling wind, and roaring thunder. The next day, she drew a picture to represent her positive thinking.

Whether you use positive thinking to escape the fear of war or thunderstorms, this is a critical skill that allows for relaxation and better decision-making. When your brain clouds overwhelming feelings of doubt and fear, it becomes increasingly difficult to see the positive and make healthy choices.

We can become inspired by our children's creative minds and positive thinking. Next time you feel uncomfortable thoughts, how can you process them and turn them into more positive thinking? Can you imagine a coping skill to relax? Can you write or draw your feelings? Can you make an escape plan for next time? The power is all in your mind.

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