“If the bath water only got 
half a degree warmer 
every hour, we would never 
know when to scream.”
Marshall McLuhan

Positivity is defined as “the state of being positive; a positivity that accepts the world as it is.” I do my best to be a positive person. Negativity brings people down. Positivity generates energy, good feelings, and a greater sense of well-being. Living a life which is consistently positive, however, can be quite a challenge.

Canadian television personality Chantal Sutherland urged listeners, “Never let anyone bring you down.” Well, that’s easier said than done. The Dalai Lama wrote, “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” I embrace these words on a regular basis, yet I continue to struggle with some people and situations in my life.

I think Walt Disney exhibited tremendous wisdom when he acknowledged, “I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.” Yes, it is! Try as we might, we will all encounter individuals who undermine our inner peace. There will always be situations that leave us feeling stressed or overwhelmed. There will be times in our lives when we struggle to cope with some of the realities with which we are confronted each day. That’s just how life works.

We all find ourselves on treacherous paths from time to time, yet there is hope. When we find ourselves in such situations, it might be beneficial to recall the words of motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. He said, “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” 

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, was quite familiar with the day-to-day struggles life can bring to us. She acknowledged, “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” The predicament here, to which Marshall McLuhan refers in his words quoted above, is recognizing exactly when we’ve hit rock bottom.

It is a well-known fact that there are aspects of our lives which we simply cannot change. We don’t have control over other people. We are powerless to control a number of factors in our lives with which we must contend. The words of legendary entertainer Jimmy Dean offer sage advice on this topic. He said, “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” In the end, this is what’s most important. This is what we are called and challenged to do — to be willing to adapt to ever-changing situations.

The struggles of today are just that; they are the struggles of today. Time goes on. Things change. People change. It is critical for us to recognize that these struggles may offer us the opportunity to develop the courage, strength, and skills needed for tomorrow.