Certainly we have all experienced times in our life where we have found ourselves in a state of mind when we begin to feel a little “down and out”. By “down” I mean discouraged, fearful, worried, and feeling sorry for our self.  “Out” meaning we may feel disconnected with how we think our life should be and even experience a separation from any sense of joy, happiness, or satisfaction.  It’s during those days we feel overwhelmed, overworked, emotionally exhausted, and we begin to wonder how we are going to rise above it all.  Yes, we all know that life is about learning to face challenges, work through weaknesses, overcome obstacles, but it also about finding joy, building loving relationships, and just enjoying the journey.

Removing ourselves from a state of mind that is “down and out” to a more rewarding “up and in” one is under our control—it is a choice.  But first we must have a desire to bring ourselves “up” and actively “in”-volve ourselves in our daily life.  “Down and out” people sit on the sidelines watching the parade of life while “up and in” people actually join the parade.  Our journey is not meant to be a spectator sport but a sport where we become active participants creating our own destiny.

If you find yourself in a “down and out” state of mind, develop a true desire to change it and choose to take action. Do not procrastinate!  An “up and in” life is packed with positive relationships, a loving connection with God, heartfelt gratitude, self-respect and love, service to others, accountability, plus a healthy balance of physical, spiritual, social, and emotional wellness.  What this means to you, is enjoying a quality of life where you can expect an increase in experiencing true joy, happiness, contentment, and satisfaction.

It’s up to you—“up and in” or “down and out”, what kind of life do you want to live?

“Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted. If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind.”  ~Author Unknown