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Sometimes it's difficult to put out any positivity into the world when there's so much pain and injustice and unfairness. But that is exactly when it's most important to send out a little ripple of hope and love.
A couple decades ago, a younger me thought it didn't matter how you motivate yourself so long you get yourself to act. To be motivated by negative emotions or positive emotions - the difference didn't seem important so long you do motivate yourself.
But now I see just how deeply wrong I was. Motivating yourself through negative emotions is *easy*. Anger, revenge, and the like - it's raw, guttural, visceral energy. You get addicted to it, and year after year, you get to the point where you can't motivate yourself otherwise.
...Until you break, one way or the other, and you realize you just can't keep going. Negative emotions are good short term motivators but are terrible, terrible long-term motivators.
If you set yourself on that path, not only do you change - you become a negative person - but you also miss tremendous chances for self-knowledge and growth. Besides, what's the point of working for the good of humanity while you become a sour, negative, angry, miserable person?
So here's a reminder. Take time out for yourself. Spend time with kids. Smile from your heart, not just your lips. Laugh at your own mistakes. Give a friend a hug. Act silly once in a while. If you can't do these things effortlessly, perhaps it's time for a longer break.
