MacGyver on CBS.com

Recently, my wife and I have been watching old episodes of MacGyver, from CBS.com, while we eat our breakfast in the morning.  I used to watch it as a kid.  It was one of my favorite shows.  I just loved how he could turn a lawnmower into an airplane and fly to safety!  He always gave you a sense of security, like there was always hope.

Since we’ve been re-watching the episodes I have had the chance to see him from a new, grown up, perspective.  Sure, there have been those moments where I’ve been like, “Oh WOW, that was some really bad acting.”  Or, “RIGHT, like that would really happen.”  But the core of what made the show so enjoyable for me is still there, even as an adult.  I think the main reason for this is that, like I just said, with MacGyver, there’s always hope.  No matter how bad things look, you just know he’ll find a way to make the most of the situation.  He never gives up!

So I guess you could say that this post is about HOPE.  Hope is a very key element in staying motivated and productive.  Hope is what keeps us going even when we don’t feel we can.  It’s that light at the end of the tunnel that draws us.  But once we lose hope it’s GAME OVER.

Let me give you an example.  (I don’t remember where I saw or read this, but it was probably on another blog or on TV.  If I could remember where, I would be happy to give credit where credit is due.)  A scientist did an experiment on two rats.  He started by putting one in a container of water with absolutely no light to see how long it could tread water, in the dark, before it gave up.  I think it only lasted about 3 minutes.  Then he put the second rat int he same container of water, but this time with a small beam of light coming in through the top.  This particular rat ended up treading water for (if I recall correctly) about 36 hours.

Now let me start by saying that I didn’t like the idea of these animals being forced to drown, but the findings were pretty amazing.  Basically, with hope, the rat pushed itself until it couldn’t go any further.  But without any hope there was very little effort and then nothing.

I think this is true for all living creatures.  This is why depression is so devastating.  This is why if you’ve ever had that feeling like it’s all for nothing or nothing matters, you’ll agree with me that it’s a pretty scary feeling.  We know, as humans, that without hope, our minds and bodies have a much lesser chance of survival, let alone success.

So I would just like to encourage you to really try to focus on the positives in life.  Know that there is always a silver lining and that any situation has potential for good.  Always encourage others and you will be encouraged.  Make the decision now, to keep your eyes on those things that bring you joy and away from the horrors of this world.  There will always be that “car accident situation”.  Those bad things in life that you just can’t seem to take your eyes off of.  But I am here to tell you that it’s your choice.  You can either see the light, know there is hope and keep on going.  Or you can focus on all the bad things in this world, lose hope, and eventually give up.

I am not here to tell you to turn a blind eye to those needs around you.  There are many situations that are ‘bad’, but need our attention.  What I am referring to, like the “car accident situation”, are those negative areas of your life in which you have no control over and yet choose to dwell on none the less.  So when your feeling encouraged, positive and driven, be sure to feed off of that energy and make the most of it.  But when life takes the wind out of your sails, it is your job to re-group and re-think the situation.  Look around you, find those things that are taking away your hope and make the necessary changes to regain your positive perspective.  Life is too short to spend it focusing on the negative.  And life is too precious to miss out on the positive.

1-Live a healthy lifestyle.

Nothing makes you smile lie feeling great, having lots of energy and knowing that you are treating your body with respect.  So a great way to keep a smile on your face is to exercise, eat right, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep.  I think this is a no brainer, but very important none the less.

2-Stay focused on the positive.

Another one that is very obvious and yet not so commonly implemented is to stay focused on the positive.  No matter what the situation there is always a silver lining.  Find the good that is always present and keep it at the forefront of your mind.

3-Be prepared to take a step back.

When the going gets tough you need to be ready and able to step out of the situation and get some air.  By remaining in a bad place you will be making it that much harder to see the way out.  But by taking a step back, clearing your head and getting a fresh perspective, you will be much more capable of maneuvering through any situation.

4-Spend time in nature.

I always find that nothing brightens my day like a good outing in the beautiful outdoors.  Sunshine, fresh air, greens and blues, there’s nothing better.  Always make time to stop and smell the roses, literally.

5-Serve Others.

People usually shy away from the word serve as something they would ever do for another human being.  It sounds so demeaning.  But serving others and putting their needs above your own is a wonderful way to keep a healthy perspective and show someone you care.  Keep a look out for opportunities to fill a need and help another human being.  There is no greater antidote to an unfulfilled life than that of helping others.

6-Never lose the kid in you.

The kid in you is the source of your greatest imagination and the innocence that allows for a fresh perspective.  When we ‘grow up’ we should never loose this child inside, but instead we should embrace it as part of who we are and the great asset that it provides.  There is no more genuine smile than that of a little child.  That child is still inside you, you just have to let it out.

7-Always be flexible.

As important as it is to always have a plan, we need to remain flexible so that we can roll with the punches.  Life is always going to throw us a curve now and again, but it is up to us to either let it get us down or make the necessary changes to keep moving forward.  So always be prepared to make a change and your smile will stay in tact.

8-Find healthy escapes.

Sometimes life is just too much to deal with.  We need to a place where we can feel safe and are able to think clearly.  Whether it’s a hobby, location or just an experience, find that place where you can get away from the trials of life so you can rest and recoup to go back out and hit things head on.  Just make sure it is a ‘healthy’ escape.  It can be tempting to escape into those places that are hard to come back from.  You will know it when you are in it.  Just be clear with yourself that you will only stay if it is truly beneficial to you life.

9-Keep your priorities strait.

There is nothing more dangerous to you mental well being than misaligning the things that matter most.  A common cause to an unnecessary frown is an over focused mind on that which is of little importance.

10-Appreciate the things you have.

Last but not least, never forget what you already have and how blessed you are to have it.  Things like your family, friends, pets, etc… Always appreciate these things and you will never have to live another smile’less day.