I have been feeling really happy lately, and some of you have noticed. I am still trying to find myself (do we ever stop?), but I feel like more than ever I am closer to figuring out what makes me happiest. Positivity is like wildfire, and I want to be wrapped in it like the snuggliest, warmest down comforter on a cold, cold day. I hope that you all find KERF to be a virtual place that you leave feeling uplifted and cheerful. I am hoping to focus a bit more on this in the coming months.
The Lively Show Podcast
I have become absolutely obsessed with The Lively Show! Some of you recommended it to me earlier this year, and I have loved listening to the podcast. Jess brings my spirit up every time I tune in. Her show is a combination of interviews, tips and tricks (love her monthly “Favorites” and Q&A episodes), and uplifting chats about how to live with value-based intention. Jess and her husband have parted ways, and she is a business owner in a similar industry to me, so I can relate to her so much. She has been traveling throughout Europe all summer after selling her house and all of her furniture inside, so you never know what’s coming up next! But most of all, she just radiates positivity!
I bought some of her intention tattoos – love them!
The Yoga Mat
I went to a yoga class last week and while I was hanging out in warrior two listening to the teacher, I realized how much I love it when yoga teachers give mini lectures during class. On this particular day she was talking to us about good energy and ways to keep the positivity flowing using a metaphor of a dam. It was a simple lesson, but I absorbed it like a sponge in the context of such a relaxing and wholesome physical practice.
Surround Yourself With Positive People
Positivity is contagious. You get to choose who your friends are, where you hang out both in real life and online, the actions your kids watch you do, and the choices you make. Just like you might choose to eat something that is nourishing to your body because it makes you feel good, you can choose to affect yourself and those around you by the intentions you radiate. Are those vibes positive or negative?
This video I saw on Facebook recently really calls that to the surface:
I love this quote from the clip:
As Gary challenges us, let’s make positivity louder!
Faith says
Love this, Kath! I have always been all about positivity–life is too short!
Thanks for sharing! I will have to listen to The Lively Show podcast!
coco says
Love your positivity Kath! I truly feel uplifted after reading your posts! 🙂
I’ve also divorced last year and I’m so much happier now with my new family! Sometimes it’s hard to make such a decision, but our hearts know better where to lead us.
Lisa C says
Long time reader here- glad to see you so happy lately. Much love to you!
Danielle @ Wild Coast Tales says
Couldn’t agree more about making positivity louder! Surrounding myself with positive people has been such a “positive” change I have in the past few years and just being more aware about what I am taking in and how it makes me feel – from blogs, social media, to books, people, experiences.
cvillian says
It is called a dharma talk, not a “mini lecture”. Your utter ignorance and laziness is what people hate about you. And yes, you are happier because matt is gone and you have a new guy and you are 100% in charge and free of mazen half the time. Please be honest once,instead of full of shit.
KathEats says
I’m wondering how you feel after writing this? Lighter? Happier? Refreshed? I hope you have a lovely day! And I really hope you don’t have children.
Kori says
Well then, the sad excuse of a person above missed the point of this post COMPLETELY. I love your reply. Kath, I love you and your blog, and it is a place of positivity. I so needed this today. I’ve been struggling with some anxiety that I”ve brought on myself, so reading about happy thoughts truly helps. It sinks in and really does help me feel the calm wash over me. <3
Tonya says
GO Kaaaath!!
AWESOME RESPONSE!
Nicole says
cvillian’s comment is exactly what Gary was talking about – a very sad, dark, unhappy person trying to have a louder voice. (Oh and you made a mistake…it should be “c-villain”…that’s clearly what you are). So thank you for giving us the chance to prove you’re not louder than all of us and our positivity today!! And thank you Kath for this extremely uplifting and awesome post…have yourself a wonderful, joy-filled day! 🙂
Sue says
The best part of this is that it isn’t a dharma talk. A dharma talk is what occurs with a meditation teacher. A yoga teacher sharing her thoughts during class is just that – sharing thoughts, mini-lecture etc.
I love when those resonate with me!
Eliz says
You are one bitter human. Quit your hate mongering !
Safa says
Bitter. So bitter. I can’t imagine such people are for real.
I am a long time reader and LOVE your blog! Keep up the awesome work xx
Emily E. says
Wow, how mean spirited and nasty. You must be a pretty miserable person to actually think posting something like that is okay.
Emily E. says
I was commenting on cvillian’s post, not Kath btw. Love you, Kath!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
I LOVE the lively show!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Kath! I’ll have to check out her podcast, thanks for the rec. I also really like it when a yoga teacher gives a quote and intention at the beginning of class and repeats it at the end. Really brings it home for me! Have a great and positive day! 🙂
SarahMTSBB says
Woah. What possesses people to lash out at strangers online?!
Anyway, you are right! As a perfectionist, I can definitely easily focus on the negative and bring myself down. Others’ bad moods can also bring me down, which I never really thought about until I found myself working in a toxic lab and starting my day ok just to have my mood ruined when I would be overhearing my coworkers ranting endlessly first thing every day. Recently I have been working on focusing on the big picture and the good in my life even when I’m having a bad day and it’s really helping me be happier. There are lots of areas in my life where things aren’t ideal and are outside of my control so I can’t even make them ideal. But I can focus on the good and appreciate what I do have. Life is too precious to waste being miserable. It can be over in the blink of an eye, a truth I can’t ignore as a healthcare professional.
Linda @ the Fitty says
I’m so happy to hear that you’re feeling positive! Despite all the changes that you’ve gone through these past days.
Tracy says
Big smile!! Loved this post! Thanks, Kath!
polly says
hi sweetie!
Remember that country song. God is great. Beer is good. People are crazy. I bet you have heard it!! well remember that when reading the crazy people’s comments, okay?
Anyways YESSSSSSSSS! I think God wants me to use my life to encourage others and thanks for all these encouraging things in this post. and by the way i give LOTS of mini lectures in my yoga classes. 🙂 hehe and you are welcome ANYtime if you are my neck of the woods! XOXO
KathEats says
I would melt to be in one of your yoga classes Polly!!
And yes, I LOVE that song!!
polly says
XOXO 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
LOVE that video! I’ve seen him speak in person, he has great energy! Love the positivity post <3
Jess Lively says
Thank you so much for sharing TLS and Gary’s video – I haven’t seen that before and I’d love to dive deeper in his perspective. Thank you, thank you!
KathEats says
Hi Jess! I’m star struck to see you here 🙂 Thanks for popping in! I love following your journey.
Leah says
Thank you for this post! It really brightened up my afternoon. Too often I end up dwelling on all the sadness and pain in the world and miss out on the good stuff happening around me. We can make a difference by spreading love and kindness to all who cross our paths. : )
Emily says
LOVE this post. I always *try* to be positive, but sometimes I fall into the negative trap. Luckily, my husband is the most positive person I know. He brings me up if I’m slipping. I always notice a big change in my attitude when I’m around positive people…they’re infectious!
KathEats says
That is wonderful to have in a partner!
The Wooden Spoon says
Have you read/watched the secret? I think you’d like it.
KathEats says
I have heard of it – from the Oprah days! I definitely believe in the law of attraction to a certain extent.
Kim says
Love the slant towards positivity! It fits beautifully with your view of nutrition and exercise. They are all puzzle pieces that fit together to make us healthy and happy. I am going to listen to the podcast and I look forward to your future posts. Thanks for all you do!
Kayleen says
I love that your blog is a positive place and am happy for your happiness! 🙂
I wanted to also say that I think it’s ok to not be ok sometimes- in fact sometimes I think it’s good for us to be honest about that. The reality is that sometimes life is hard and not fun, and I always appreciate it when a blogger is honest about bad days in their own lives- it makes me able to identify with them and cheer them on even more when things are going well. I appreciate that you maintain positivity even in the midst of the hard parts of life!
KathEats says
Very true!
Carla says
Kath,
I’ve been in my own season lately of figuring out why I am a negative or overly independent person, and how that affects my husband, and what that does to our relationship. I appreciate Kayleeen’s posting above, in that I believe it’s important not to gloss over ugly things in a self-preservation technique of positivity. Definitely, if we want to improve ourselves or our circumstances, it takes hard effort, pain, and humility.
Of course, I know you’re separated and seeing a new guy. I think would still like to recommend to you this book that I am reading that has made me think hard about my own attitudes, and how to apply that in relationships with others in a positive way. You might find it a worthwhile read: “Fierce Women” by Kimberly Wagner.
Best.
Diana Smith says
Hi Kath-
I enjoyed this post and am excited to listen to The Lively Show. I am local to C-ville and enjoy seeing our town all over your blog. Also, you recently went to my friends’ business, The Cville Escape Room, and I shared that post with she and her family!
Take care and continue to relish in what makes you happy!!
Diana XO
KathEats says
Hi Diana! I can’t wait to go back to Escape Room! Planning another visit later this month I hope : )
VICKY says
Your comment about still trying to find yourself reminded me of Augustine who also was searching. He realized that unspoken longing that we all feel but May not realize is for God. You can read about his search in The Confessions of St Augustine.