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Dear Coach Kim:It is important to me to keep abreast of what is happening in the world at home and abroad. I'm interested in people, cultures, geography, countries, governments, the environment, etc. I usually access my news online through domestic and international news sources such as KSL, Reuters, BBC. The problem I am experiencing is that the percentage of what is published is negative and often disturbing. How do I stay connected to these information sources and maintain a sense of peace and hope for the world?
Answer:
You can read bad news without letting it influence your inner state. You do this by consciously choosing to trust God, the universe and life and by choosing peace. Remember, regardless of the circumstances, there is always room to choose optimism, hope and forgiveness. You can always choose a positive attitude no matter your situation.
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Coach Kim gives advice on staying positive, taking one day at a time, staying present and choosing trust over fear.Even though things look bleak at times, life always goes on and we survive, grow and learn from the experience. One of my favorite examples of this was Nelson Mandela.
Gordon MacDonald, the author of "A Resilient Life," had the chance to meet Mr. Mandela in person and also interviewed a man who had been imprisoned with him on Robben Island for five of the 27 years Mr. Mandela was there.
This man told what he learned from Mandela during that time: "He taught us to forgive. I was a bitter young man and Mandela picked up on it immediately when we first met. He said to me, 'Son, you are of no use to our movement until you learn to forgive the white man. You can hate his cause, but you cannot hate him." '
If ever a man was entitled by circumstances to feel resentful, angry and hateful it was Nelson Mandela. He spent most of his adult life in prison but he chose his inner state. He chose to forgive. He chose to stay positive, loving and hopeful.
MacDonald admits being awed by the gracious power and resiliency he felt in Mandela's presence. This man did not let painful, scary or difficult events dictate his inner state. He chose to be peaceful and loving no matter his circumstance. His gift in this area greatly influenced the South African people and saved that nation from horrific bloodshed.
You get to choose your inner state in any moment. No person and no event can force you to feel anything. Your attitude and mindset are up to you.
You can choose to trust that God is in charge and leave the things, over which you have no control, in God's hands. You can choose to act on the things which are in your control and make a difference where you can. You can choose hope and optimism even when things look dark.
Helen Keller once said, "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope."
