I’m just keeping it real!

Today’s Affirmation
Day after day, good things flow my way!

This has become quite a catch-phrase in recent years. I guess it makes sense, in a world where people often don’t say what they mean, that you must call it out when you actually do. Another similar phrase is, “I’m just being a realist.”

Have you ever noticed that no one uses these phrases in an attempt to convince you that something is better or more positive than you thought? They’re always used to pop your balloon, curb your excitement, and bring you back to Earth with a thud.

I think both phrases employ the word real because they want cloak the negative meaning in a kind of supposed objectivity. There’s no empirical data that proves negative outcomes are more realistic that positive.

• “No one will ever buy your book. I’m just keeping it real.”
• “I’m not trying to crush your idea. I’m just being a realist.”

Have you heard people say things like this? Have you said them to others? Why do we have it in our heads that aiming lower is somehow more realistic?

I could probably write a book on the psychology of the human negativity default setting. That’s not my purpose here. Rather, I’d like to encourage you swim consciously against that current. Why not see the positive and the better as every bit as realistic as the negative and the lesser?

Consider fervently believing it for yourself, for others, and for the world. Consider articulating that positive things are coming your way. After all, good things are every bit as likely to happen as bad. Your lizard brain may condition you that the sabertooth tiger is about to eat you, but the reality is your ancestor survived that threat and here you are!

I’m just keeping it real!

Ray