Enthusiasm is such an interesting word and notion. You can have enthusiasm for anything, including things that are positive and things that are negative. I have known people who are enthusiastically negative!
They get all fired up and stand tall on their soap box about all the things going wrong in their lives. They like to blame and be the victim. They seem to thrive on telling others all their bad news. Misery does love company, doesn't it? Do you know someone like this? It's easy to get sucked in, isn't it? I think we all have encountered people who live their lives like this... in a constant state of complaining.
Just think: what if those people could turn their awesome level of enthusiasm into positive energy. What if they could shout to the highest mountain about all the wonderful blessings in their lives? What if they were able to celebrate their victories and not keep giving power to their misfortunes? Do you think that slowly their enthusiasm would attract people into their lives instead of repel them? I think this is a very attainable goal.
I know we all get into a negative slump every now and then... but are you one that thrives there? Are you someone who would rather complain and blame than take ownership and prove victory? If you have a tendency to be a "Negative Nelly" or a "Negative Nate", then there is a challenge for you to become enthusiastically positive!
The word "enthusiasm" derives from two Greek words, en and theos,
which mean "in God" or "God within."
Enthusiasm... Entheo... God within.
Many people don't realize or remember that we are all part of God, which is Pure Love. Our natural state is joy, love, and enthusiasm. Have you ever seen a baby who did not possess these qualities? It is only when we begin to grow and talk and interact with the world that we lose this "magic". We lose sight of our natural way of being. We lose our zest for life, we lose our joy, we forget we are Love... we soon drudge through our day-to-day routine with a lack-luster demeanor! It doesn't have to be this way... let's get positively enthusiastic!
Enthusiastic people are contagious! So, if you hang around negatively enthusiastic people, you may catch what they have! Wouldn't you rather catch some Positive enthusiasm? I know I would! So... we must first become enthusiastic about the positive things in our lives, and release the urge to broadcast the negative happenings in our lives. The more we focus on the good, the bigger the good will grow. Then we will attract other positively enthusiastic people into our lives, and the cycle continues.
People who are living passionately are healthy and attractive. These people are more productive, set and reach their goals, and laugh more. These people have more friends, are more outgoing, and make healthier choices when eating. That sounds good to me... doesn't it sound good to you? It sounds much better than being down trodden and complaining all the time.
There is a difference between being enthusiastic for you and being enthusiastic for others. It is healthy to show passionate excitement towards yourself and others, but it is not healthy to only show it towards yourself. We've touched on this topic before... being passionate, enthusiastic, and happy for someone else is very empowering to that person and to you! If you are a naturally positively enthusiastic person, then make sure you share that great trait and show your passion towards other people's successes!
You can be enthusiastic in all areas of your life. Anyone who knows me knows that I am really passionate about my food. You can say that I am a "Foodie", in that I love food! I really love to cook, smell, look at, and eat food. I love pretty much all kinds of food. Is there something that stands out to you that you are passionate about? Hopefully it is a good thing that empowers you and not a negative thing that drains you and the people who are around you! Enthusiasm drives you... but in which direction are you driving?
Take Action: This week and beyond, let's be aware of what makes us feel enthusiastic. If it is gossiping, putting down others, complaining, or any other negative act... let's rein in that urge and start becoming enthusiastic about all the positives in our lives! If you are already really great at being positively enthusiastic, take inventory, and make sure you are being just as enthusiastic for others as you are for yourself. Let's try to get back to our natural state of being: joyful, loving, and positively enthusiastic!
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