Shift Focus to Manage Mindset
The essence of mindset is two-fold: being aware of how one is thinking and feeling in the moment and then having the ability and tools to shift it, as desired. Feeling stuck is full of yuck! Managing mindset can be fun, a little wild even, and there are literally opportunities everywhere, especially on the oft-maligned social media platforms.
Before we begin: I’m bringing warfare into the conversation today. I’m no longer a “pure peacenik” as I’ve lived long enough to see too many horrors that I want stopped. I’m grateful to those who share the goal and are willing to put their lives at stake for the rest of us.
This post is inspired by a short video I saw on Twitter yesterday, posted by a Ukrainian account in support of their soldiers. It lifted me up, the vibe is just so awesome, and it’s waaay outside of my usual comfort zone or predictable mindset. So let me set the stage for you.
Imagine for a moment you’ve been in a war zone since 24 February 2022 — that is 550 days. You’ve been subject to chronic air raid sirens, have known many who have been killed and/or kidnapped, and let’s imagine you are a soldier committed to saving your country and its people. There is little time to sit on the pity pot, as this is exactly a life and death challenge every day.
Here’s what struck me about this short video post that follows:
- What a fierce mindset to have this much joie de vivre and positivity so far into the war! I want what they have.
- Three men, exhibiting peak camaraderie. Yes to that.
- I love the music! “Don’t hurt me” — please! For Sure!
- And then the question: What is love? (Such a great question with endless answers.)
- Guys who are dancing! Even if behind the wheel. Movement is a wonderful way to reset your mindset!
- And to be fully transparent, ok, these guys are just so attractive in their strength, their moves, their positivity, their sharing, and their laugh at the end. (I recorded it twice for you to get a fuller effect…)
- I think they are wearing Aloha shirts — check out the flower power.
- This is just one of countless creative and inspiring posts I’ve seen about Ukraine!
Here's the tweet link. (Twitter and Substack are not playing well together. So I recorded the video on my computer for you. Not exactly sure how it will get delivered to you — good luck!
This was posted by olexander scherba, @olex_scherba.
Ambassador for strategic communications at @MFA_Ukraine, Amb to Austria (2014-2021). Author of “Ukraine vs Darkness. Undiplomatic Thoughts”. Personal account.
So one of the points here is that comparison can be used to lift us out of the funk, as we discussed last week. It does not have to make us feel “less than” or “one down.” If you’re thinking life sucks right now, watch this video and be glad you’re not in a war zone. Or facing total destruction on Maui.
Still, I am NOT recommending a spiritual bypass or any version of ignoring or stuffing your feelings. Feelings are the decorations of life and they color us in so many ways. Sometimes it’s useful to take a one-minute rant, and flush that stuff out of your system. Frustrations happen! I even recorded an UNDERWATER one minute rant many years ago on my Beach Walks channel, and you can do this with me anytime.
That’s it for today. Some light-hearted fun about super serious things — just a perfect way to flex those mindset muscles.
Of course the unmentioned subtext here is GRATITUDE. It always works, it always can lift us up, and I rarely use the word “always.” I ask you to join with me in sending our loving energy to those less fortunate, whoever they are, wherever they may be, grateful for the many aspects of our lives that are doing just fine.
Love and hugs to you. Thanks for reading. Let’s feel better together.