Here Comes the Sun
Last weekend I spent the day with my daughter, Hannah. We ended up at the family farm picking sweet corn, but we also wanted to check on the new sunflower patch my son and brother planted in the spring. The sunflowers were just starting to bloom in hues of light to brightly colored yellows and reds.
As we were leaving the farm I mentioned how young sunflowers follow the sun throughout the day. A young sunflower faces east at dawn to greet the sun, then slowly turns toward the west as the sun moves across the sky. During the night, the sunflower makes its way back facing east to begin again the next morning. The sun helps the flower blossom and grow.
I started thinking how that story could be used as a metaphor for people that seek out joy and happiness. People that often focus on the sunny aspects of life blossom and grow faster than those focused on negativity. Having a positive attitude is said to help with many areas including health, relationships, socialization and overcoming obstacles.
In today’s climate, people are often stressed, filled with fear, anger, sadness, or uncertainty of the unknown. Within the last 18 months of shortages, shut-downs and lost jobs throughout the pandemic, it may seem the farthest from someone’s mind to be positive. If you’re unable to feel happy, don’t expect to go from complete misery to feeling fantastic in an instant. You have to honor where you are now, and incrementally move towards a better-feeling space. Small shifts can start to do wonders for moving up the feelings ladder towards happiness. When your brain is able to make a little shift towards the sun, feeling better naturally becomes easier. Allow yourself the space and permission to blossom and grow.
Ways to seek a sunny attitude
Be optimistic
Look around and seek goodness or fun in your day
Find any reason to smile
Believe in yourself and speak kindly
Find simple everyday blessings in your life
Be around positive people and distance yourself from negativity
Negativity is contagious. It can spread the clouds of envy, despair, fear, and anger. Each morning when you rise, face the east, feel the warmth from the light and announce, “Here comes the sun.” Then follow it throughout the day just as the sunflower does to help you bloom and grow. Let your soul be filled with sunshine and positivity even if it’s one little step at a time.
xoxox…..Sheryl
