Why Joy, Hope and Positivity Are Tools for Survival

How we can cultivate the power of positivity to see things more constructively and improve our overall outlook on life

It might sound strange to say, but it is undoubtedly true. Joy, hope, and positivity are not just fleeting emotions; they are essential tools for survival. These feelings can help us navigate through difficult times, provide us with the strength to overcome obstacles, and give us the resilience needed to face life's many challenges. Embracing joy, hope, and positivity can transform our outlook on life and enable us to thrive even in the most adverse circumstances.

From 2010 to 2012, I experienced a series of significant setbacks that deeply impacted my life. These years were particularly challenging, as unforeseen events led to a profound sense of sadness that overshadowed any moments of happiness I once had. During this difficult period, I lost all hope and felt a deep sense of despair about my future. At that time, I was residing in Saskatoon, where I felt increasingly isolated as I struggled to find direction and purpose in my life. I was completely at a loss, unsure of what steps to take or how to overcome the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness that had taken hold of me.

In 2012, I made a significant life decision and moved to the Yukon. Here in the Yukon, I was fortunate to find a job with the Government of Yukon, which provided me with stability and a new beginning. Alongside this job, I discovered an unexpected passion and started teaching Bhangra dance during the evenings. This dance movement began to sprout seeds of joy within me, giving me a sense of fulfillment and excitement.

As I continued teaching Bhangra, I slowly started to realize how much change one can create in oneself when they begin to look at life in a more hopeful and optimistic way. Although this transformation did not come overnight, it gradually unfolded over time. I found that joy, hope, and positivity became my essential survival tools, helping me navigate through the challenges and uncertainties of life.

The process of teaching dance not only brought joy to my students but also allowed me to connect with the community in Whitehorse (Yukon) in a meaningful way. It became clear to me that the impact of looking at life with a positive outlook could ripple outwards, influencing others and creating a supportive environment. This journey of personal growth and the discovery of inner strength has been profoundly rewarding, and it continues to shape my perspective on life.

While going through this journey, I concluded that negativity and positivity have a profound influence on us. They shape who we are, what we do, what we think, and how we approach life. Positivity bias can uplift our lives in ways we cannot even imagine, offering a perspective that brings hope and resilience. On the other hand, suffering begins when our minds continuously cycle through negative thoughts. These thoughts damage us more than we realize, often affecting our mental and emotional well-being far more than the actual events or situations we direct them towards. It is important to recognize this cycle and actively work towards fostering a positive mindset, which can help us navigate life's challenges with greater ease and optimism.

On the other side, negativity bias refers to the phenomenon where negative events, experiences, or information have a greater impact on an individual's mental state and processes than positive or neutral ones. This bias causes people to focus more on and remember negative information, often giving it more weight in decision-making and perception.

This can manifest in various ways, such as dwelling on criticism more than praise, feeling the sting of a setback more acutely than the joy of success, being critical of friends or relatives or partners or others around, finding faults in systems, blaming others instead of taking responsibility, being more influenced by negative news stories than positive ones, and using social media to comment negatively about others.

What a coincidence that while I am writing this article, my radio is narrating CBC News about protests happening across the UK. As I listen to the broadcast, I find myself reflecting deeply on those events and affirming how negativity creates more negativity. Nowadays, it is alarmingly easy to spread incorrect rumours and fear over social media and shape mindsets on a massive scale, making them even more vulnerable and ready to do anything, which can lead to violence. If those mindsets were nurtured with positivity and consistently reminded with reassurances that we humans of the world are all cut from the same cloth, sharing common humanity and intrinsic value, the results could have been dramatically different and overwhelmingly positive. Such an approach would foster a sense of unity and understanding and would give comfort to those who felt ignited by social media rumours in that country, potentially leading to a more harmonious and peaceful coexistence, where empathy and compassion prevail over aggression and discord. The power of positive influence cannot be overstated; it can transform not only individual attitudes but entire communities and nations, steering them towards harmony, humanity, and understanding rather than discord and conflict.

When facing setbacks in personal life, the negativity bias can contribute to anxiety, depression, and a generally pessimistic outlook on life. Understanding and recognizing the negative patterns which the mind creates and loops them, can be the first step toward mitigating their effects and striving for a more balanced perspective.

Physical movements have the power to tap into inner positivity, which can be created when we move, whether it's walking, hiking or dancing to music. Here is the video I selected for your positivity break today:

Positivity is not a magic wand that can instantly solve life’s setbacks or challenges. However, maintaining a positive attitude can definitely change how you approach these setbacks. By adopting a new, more optimistic perspective, you may find yourself better equipped to navigate through difficult times and discover alternative paths that you might not have considered before. This new approach can ultimately help you find a better way forward and, over time, ease the burden of those setbacks.

Positivity might not solve problems, but it equips you to manage them more effectively. Hope is like a close friend; always keep it by your side. And for joy, don't let your inner child slip away.

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