SEARCH FOR THE SILVER LININGS

I think next week might see a return to Positivity Week. In Positivity Week, I try to avoid saying, thinking or feeling anything negative at all, and simply choose to see the positive in everything.

Shouldn't every week be like that?

Well, yes, probably, but you already know that it isn't. And maybe focusing on it for a week will do some good. After all, the last few weeks haven't exactly carried the global feel-good factor have they?

In Positivity Week, you don't ignore all the clouds, you don't pretend that they're not there; you simply search for the silver linings.

Sure, your taps are dripping and there are holes in your favourite pair of boots because you walked to work in them one time too often. Of course your Mum's worried about you eating properly and secretly wants you to move back home while your Dad thinks the exact opposite. But hey, behind all that, you've got a brilliant life with a great family, a good job, healthy lungs and running water.

I don't know. Maybe Positivity Week makes me look like a 'naive simpleton' but I genuinely think there's at least something in it. Especially when a lot of people seem to be crushed by the thought that the world is going to hell in a handcart at the moment.

Actually, the bit of the world you're responsible for doesn't have to. You can change it; you can make a difference, change the atmosphere, make things better... and that starts with your attitude, esepcially over the small things.

So in Positivity Week, we search for the silver linings. And once we find them, it gets a whole lot easier to recognise the sunshine.