“What’s the good news today?”, I asked the group.

Seventeen blank faces stared back at me in silence. I rephrased my question. “Who’s got some good news to share?” Still no response.

“No one in this room has one good thing to say about something that is happening in their life today? I don’t believe it! What’s wrong with you people?” I joked.

This is a common routine, one which I repeat in each of my fitness classes at a YMCA in New York City. You’d think the folks who gather in those classes each week would be prepared for it by now and be ready with an answer. No such luck.

The Y groups are not unique in their muted response to my weekly question. I’ve taught in many places over the past 13 years and have often asked that same question and received the same blank looks and silence. It always amazes me that many people can come up with a string of bad news items, often ripped from the headlines, but are hard-pressed to share some good news.

I should add that what often happens in those situations is that someone eventually says, after more prodding, “Well, we’re here in class”, or “The sun’s out.” One reliable woman will sometimes chime in with an anecdote about her daughter’s success in school. I’ll take it!

Last Friday I watched the DVD You Can Heal Your Life, the story of Louise Hay and her over 30 years of success at teaching people how to use positive affirmations to change their lives. I was already quite familiar with Louise Hay, having read her book You Can Heal Your Life back in the early 90’s. I also saw Ms. Hay on the Tavis Smiley show on PBS last year and was shocked and thrilled to learn that she was 83 years old. Go Louise!

Watching the DVD on Fri., Feb. 27th reminded me once again of my month-long commitment to Radical Openness. “Now that February is almost over,” I thought to myself, “what do I want to do about with this Radical Openness deal?” Well, the answer is “Keep going!”

So for the month of March I will continue to be Radically Open to seeing my life and the lives of others in new ways, thinking thoughts that move me out of victim mentality, and looking for ways to be more upbeat and spontaneous in every moment. PLUS, I am going to add a Positive Affirmation that I will say at least once a day to myself as I look in the mirror (an ode to Louise). That affirmation is:

“My life is full of abundance. I take great pleasure in all ways creating work that I love, and knowing that loads of money comes from my doing that. My relationships are remarkably fluid, fulfilling, and all ways moving more fully into LOVE. I am committed to knowing and loving all aspects of ME as I allow my divinely human self to go forth in the world, to grow and to glow.”

I invite you to join me on my quest for a more positive life experience. Send me your affirmations and I will happily post them on Fishing for Soul. Please let me know if I can use your first name or your initials when I post the item.

Happy Affirming!

Joe