Ka-POW!!

I often feel like I'm walking along, doing just fine, maybe humming a tune to myself, and along comes this giant fist of emotion, punching me right in the stomach. "Ka-POW!" Suddenly all the breath is sucked right out of me, I crumple into a little ball and there I sit. Then, along comes the wave of negative thoughts. I almost feel like I'm being surrounded by them, as if they were evil little imps that refuse to stop the attack. I feel like they're in a whirlwind around me and I'm looking but I can't seem to find the out. It's almost like a comic strip. Often I feel like I just have to ride out the whirlwind, hold my breath and hang on tight until the chaos subsides. What I need to do is figure out how to access my own "Ka-POW" of positive thoughts and emotion to fend off the evil little "thought-imps", so I can emerge with a victorious fist raised. In the  "Happiness 101" class I took I definitely learned some happiness techniques to help me strengthen my "Ka-POW" skills. While taking the class, my happiness level increased and I often felt victorious over the negative thoughts that sometimes take me out. But as the time since the class has faded, I've felt my "positivity" muscles atrophy a bit, and it's been easier for those negative emotions to punch me in the gut once again. It's really hard work to be positive and change your outlook on life! It takes daily practice and dedication, and a lot of giving up old and "comfortable" ways of thinking and being and adopting new and scary ways of doing things instead. So, back on the horse I get. One of the happiness tools I need to reinstate is writing daily positives.So here are my positives for today:
1.) Music- I'm listening to one of my favorite Pandora stations right now (the Mika station, for anyone who is curious). It's so wonderful that there are so many unique and talented people in the world who create a myriad of beautiful kinds of music. Music definitely has the power to uplift, inspire, and just flat out make me laugh, and for that I am grateful.
2.) My sister- She is so wonderful! She has so many amazing talents! I admire her dedication, her drive, her compassion, her intelligence, her wit, and too many other things to list. I am so grateful that I have the honor of being genetically linked to her. :) I'm also so grateful that she is willing to let me move in with her. I can't wait to have the adventure of living in Portland and I also can't wait for our bond as sisters and friends to strengthen even more,
3.) The love I have to give- I know this one maybe sounds a bit conceited, but I honestly feel like I was just born having a lot of love for those around me. I've always loved children and been drawn towards working with them, and it has ended up being such a rewarding thing to do. It makes me laugh daily and I feel like I am doing something worthwhile, which is such a blessing.

I'm already on my way towards more positivity. :) Giddy up!

P.S. I apologize for the corniness of this entry. I was apparently in a corny mood today.