“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
–Maya Angelou
What if we always looked to the bright side?
I’ve noticed on Badger Mountain that some flowers, like the one in the picture below, turn toward the sun. I googled this to find out why.
Keeping the flower facing the sun warms it up. Warm flowers are more attractive to pollinators such as bees, which prefer a cozy blossom. For young sunflowers, tracking the sun maximizes their exposure to sunlight, fueling photosynthesis and helping the plant grow taller and stronger.
There are also flowers that close at night. This helps them conserve warmth and scent, keep their pollen dry, and protect themselves from nighttime predators.
As I thought about that, I wondered: What if we did the same thing?
What if we intentionally turned our attention toward the light rather than focusing on the darkness?
What if we cultivated a positive mindset and chose to believe that life happens for us, not to us? The Latin meaning of the word “for” is “in favor of.”
If we did this, we might begin to see challenges as opportunities for growth. We might start viewing failures as “learns.” We may even discover opportunities that had been hidden by the predators of negative thinking.
I believe we’d be happier, too.
Like bees attracted to a warm flower, people are naturally drawn to those who radiate hope, gratitude, and possibility. And just as flowers grow stronger by turning toward the sun, we grow stronger when we focus on what is possible rather than what is wrong.
The next time you’re tempted to focus on the darkness, remember that there is a bright side to every challenge, event, or circumstance that enters your life. Look for it.
You may be surprised by how much stronger, brighter, and more resilient you become—and how that light impacts those around you.
Jan McDonald
Maxwell Leadership Certified Team