I’ve been called a Pollyanna before. I totally took it as a compliment (though I’m not sure it was meant that way). I have noticed over the years, that I tend to try to find the good in all situations. That isn’t to say that I don’t get disappointed or upset. I do. I sure do.
But, I always try to find something to be glad about – hence the Pollyanna Principle.
I know that the internet has really changed the way we communicate with people about our lives. Facebook, Instagram, and blogs are full of amazing photos of incredible vacations, happy kids, balanced meals, perfect houses, and enriching activities. The way we can instantly and widely share our accomplishments definitely gives a false sense of perfection to many people. I am guilty of doing this.
But I don’t feel guilty about it.
Why share this blurry, sad photo:
When I could, instead, share this adorable, (more) happy photo:
As a quote (perhaps falsely attributed to Abraham Lincoln (the internet it torn on this issue)) in the movie Pollyanna says, “When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.” This can be said about ourselves as well. If I look for the bad in myself, I will become mostly bad. If I look for the good, I will focus on that and become good.
I know that I have bad traits. I try not to focus on them, but to be aware of them. I do, however, try to focus on my good traits. If I put my energy into the things I can do well, I feel that that goodness will spread into the things I can’t.
My One Little Word of the year is Gratitude, and this totally connects to my positive attitude. Every single day, I think about what I’m grateful for, and usually I have to work hard to find a single word that can express the goodness of my day. Even on my roughest, toughest days, I’m able to find something to be grateful about. This morning Alma peed her pants, drew on herself, and woke Harriet up. I felt myself getting really angry, so I took a moment to just be grateful for my beautifully frustrating 2-year-old, and remind myself that she is a 2-year-old. It took a lot of energy to be glad in the moment. But, after a couple deep breaths, I was glad.
There is a lot of genuine positivity on the internet. I wanted to share some of my favorite blogs and vlogs where the Pollyanna Principle is living and breathing:
First is my friend Evynne Hollens’ YouTube channel. If you want to hear some beautiful music, and watch a new mom’s journey, please check out her channel. Evynne has always been one of the most positive people I’ve known, and she is also one of the most successful people I’ve known. I am going to say that those two things are related. Watch this video about her amazing attitude, and this beautiful cover of Alma’s favorite song.
These are my three favorite blogs. Whenever I do a reader clean-up, these three stay on the top of my Favorites list. They are all inspired.
Kal Barteski is an amazingly strong and beautiful artist. She has her own Girl Tribe. She understand the power of encouragement and positivity. Check out her project that tells people all over the world how awesome they are. Kal is truly awesome.
Elise Blaha Cripe has a lovely attitude, and a lovely blog. Her little corner of the internet is full of great tips, and beautiful photos.
The blog that is mostly likely to make me cry (and I love a good cry) is Girls Gone Child. Rebecca Woolf is giving her four children the most amazing childhood full of music, dancing, creativity, expression, adventure, camaraderie, and love. She isn’t one to shy away from the difficult or the mundane, and that is why I keep going back to her.