Be inspired by bad news

Be inspired by bad news instead of depressed

When we hear about something bad happening in the world how does that make us feel?

It seems every week there is a tragedy - earthquake or tsunami, greed, children starving - there are a lot of terrible things happening in the world every day.
It can be pretty overwhelming if you really think about it. A lot of people stop tuning into the news or just grow disconnected to the lives of others. I used to try to avoid all those "negative" stories but not anymore.

Because they inspire me. In fact they inspire me so much I realised yesterday I part of the reason I had been feeling uninspired lately is because I haven't been exposed to what is really happening across the globe.

Because I believe and I care. I believe WE can make a difference, each of us has the power inside to do something wonderful. And I care about everyone and hate to watch them suffer.

So the first step is toreally connect and be aware of what’s going on. Be aware locally and globally and make an effort to find documentaries, news and stories that highlight in detail what’s happening. Don’t be afraid to find out the nasty details and look for the "human side" so you can connect to the story personally.

Secondly appreciate your own life and how good it is. Use this insight to help strip away all the things you may be wasting your time on like watching TV and see how much energy you could be using to help those in need. Don’t get caught up in guilt either, none of this is your fault just be aware of the time you have that you could use to help others.

Thirdly examine your own gifts and social connections and look for a fit for your gifts into what’s going on in your life and the world. It can be something really simple like calling someone who appreciates your company or it could be starting a new project that may one day change the world. It doesn’t matter what it is, and it is different for everyone. It is your own unique gift to the world.

There is no wrong way of trying to help but you might have to try a few different things before you find something that really works. It took me years to find something I really believe in and I’m still not sure how to go about it exactly!

But trying brings me a heap of satisfaction and happiness.

Owning our emotions

In the west it is very common and accepted to blame other people on how WE feel. For example someone cuts us off in traffic we say he made us angry which justifies us yelling abuse at him and honking our horn (or worse). But when we treat our emotions as something that we have no control over, that isn't a part of who we are, that other people have total control over. Then we become weak and unstable.

One of the most powerful lessons and skills I have learned in life is how to own MY feelings instead of blaming them on others. This is the very first step in what I like to term - "really growing up." Until we own our emotions we can't begin to understand them nor can we develop better emotional patterns. Until we own them we are stuck being as a child who cries whenever they feel bad.

All it takes is a shift of perspective in how we think about emotions, especially our own. But this small shift will changes our lives forever. We will never again feel powerless when someone does something that effects us or when faced with strong negative emotions.

One of my biggest personal issues was to do with love, when I really liked someone and they didn't give me enough attention of they did something like cancel a dinner date for the 4th time in a row I would be hurt and blame them for causing this kind of emotional pain. How could they do this to me when they know how much I care about them?!

But I wouldn't feel the same way if it was someone else, like a friend. And other people also don't feel the same thing and just because I love someone doesn't mean they love me or at least not in the same way.

Take our road rage example again, not everyone reacts angrily, so if cutting someone off really was something that made people feel angry then why doesn't it effect some people. It's because the angry reaction is our emotional reaction and it's something we can change, other people do it that's why they don't get upset.

That's the same as my over reaction to perceived slights from the person I supposedly was in love with, once I owned my reaction I was able to stop blaming the other person and begin to examine my own emotions and change my reaction accordingly. I would think - no this isn't a sign of betrayal, it's just a sign they don't like me as much as I like them. Time to face reality and MOVE ON :)

Owning our emotions can be pretty painful at first but it is well worth it. It is much easier to keep blaming other people, but in doing that we will never grow up properly! By owning our emotions we are able to stop simply reacting to what goes on around us and forge our own destiny. It also helps us to see things more clearly and understand the actions of others without them being distorted by our own reactions. It is the only way to truly grow up and become emotionally mature.

Have faith in your own power. They are YOUR emotions! You CAN change your negative reactions by owning them. It might not be easy but it is incredibly liberating and empowering when you do this. You will feel like a new person. Like you have finally grown into an adult and your life is in your hands.

So next time you think someone has done something to you that MADE you feel sad or angry stop and examine it a bit closer, own that feeling and make it yours. Say to yourself -  


"No they didn't make me feel bad, that bad feeling is mine, and reacting this way is something I've learned to do and it's something I can deal with. It's a reaction I can change and in future I can stop reacting this way."


Own it and take control of your life! Good luck!