I’m writing Christmas cards these days and also doing a series of collaging exercises. How do these two things intersect? Well, they’re all about positive words. Words that are encouraging and lovely, and true and honorable and…
Positive words – is your language, the words that come out of your mouth (or pen) optimistic?
Sure, we all need to talk about the serious stuff in our life. We need to explore solutions to problems and deal with where we’ve failed and what isn’t working in our lives. Yes. Those words will hold some deeply troubling statements of concern, and even self-reflective non-positive words and ideas. Please hear me: I’m not suggesting you overlook or avoid using words that cause angst for a good end purpose. Don’t ignore the bad. Fix it. Or find a way to (at least) make it into the best it could be, all things considered…
And yet, let’s not forget to also use positive words in our conversation about ourselves, our life, and even our really negative situations. As bad as it gets, there is the option to find words to frame at least some part of ourselves and our life and those around us in a good light…
What are some positive words?
When Rob and I talk to couples about cheap date night ideas, one of the favorite ideas is to go to a card shop and choose cards to read to each other. Financially you might not be able to purchase cards, but you can take a field trip to look through the cards and share the positive statements in them. And laugh at the funny ones.
Those greeting cards will (mostly) hold positive words… just like the Christmas cards I’m writing. Hope. Peace. Blessings. Joy… and more.
What are your favorite positive words?
Which ones do you use most often? Here are 100 of mine:
- thankful
- hopeful
- blissful
- persistent
- merry
- cheerful
- encouraged
- assured
- optimistic
- comforted
- enchanting
- contented
- pleased
- grateful
- expectant
- happy
- cherished
- courageous
- promising
- useful
- glad
- joyful
- zippy
- contented
- enthusiastic
- gratified
- grateful
- gentle
- serene
- glad
- sympathetic
- mellow
- amenable
- galvanized
- endorsed
- loved
- refreshed
- favorable
- enthusiastic
- willing
- responsive
- thanksliving
- useful
- boosted
- respected
- bright
- affirmed
- enlivened
- spurred
- promoted
- positive
- aided
- fostered
- fortified
- commended
- helped
- advocated
- playful
- upheld
- befriended
- jolly
- sparkling
- chuffed (this is one I’ve learned from my junk-journaling cohort from the UK)
- reassured
- blessed
- light-hearted
- worthwhile
- applauded
- reassured
- delightful
- beloved
- caring
- beneficial
- supported
- pleasant
- sweet
- heartened
- profitable
- lighthearted
- excited
- revered
- enthusiastic
- tickled
- exhilarated
- treasured
- responsive
- vibrant
- well-disposed
- endearing
- valued
- admired
- well-pleased
- restored
- strengthened
- passionate
- loved
- included
- helped
- resilient
- precious
- What word have I missed that you’d include?
Want to feel good?
Or at least begin to put some happy thoughts into your head… and share with others?
Here are two options:
A. Choose five of the words above, and think of a person in your life who reminds you of that particular word, or an instance where you felt that way… Then write a note to thank that person. (By-the-way, even if that person has passed, or you don’t have their address, still write the note, because expressing it on paper has power.)
B. Choose five of the words above and write five notes to special people who you’d wish that for… “Dear _____, my wish for you is that you feel… “)
To you – the person reading this post:
I’m thankful for you –
you are valued,
and my wish for you is to have all those positive words show up in your life
in special ways that demonstrate how very much you’re loved.
love,
Lori
Throughout December I’ve been practicing collaging using a list of prompts. For today I used the prompt “add handwriting”, so here’s a video on what I did:
(click if you can’t see the player and this will take you to YouTube)
And if you’d like to download that image of all the positive words on a page you can click HERE.
