"Every year of my life I grow more convinced that it is wisest and best to fix our attention on the beautiful and good and dwell as little as possible on the dark and the base." Richard Cecil
Hello my friends! I hope you like that quote above as much as I do! I have meant to share that with you for some time now...but I hesitated because there is always someone who will take me for a "Pollyanna" with my head in the sand and not fully comprehending the problems of the world. I assure you that is not the case. It's just that I want to surround myself with all the positive people I can find! Oh wait, I haven't been able to do that this year, have I? I need that positive energy!
"12 Ways To Cope With Anxiety"... I just read this article and at number one was EXERCISE! You may read it just here.
Okay, who was Richard Cecil? (You know you want to know!)
Richard Cecil was an Anglican priest who lived from 1748 to 1810. Born in London, I notice that he was also- for a brief time- a minister in Lewes, East Sussex. (It makes me happy to know that I might have walked down the same streets there!) He was a member of the Clapham Sect which you might recognize as being associated with William Wilberforce. And please tell me you know William Wilberforce! As a member of Parliament, he was one of the leading Abolitionists against slavery. Michael Apted directed a wonderful film in 2006- "Amazing Grace" about this campaign against slavery. I highly recommend it! This movie won a Christopher Award, which is an award given to a film, book or TV special "that affirm the highest values of the human spirit".
Josiah Wedgwood designed the above "to move hearts and minds".
(You should know the Wedgwood name from the English chinaware.)
You may read about this just here. "The Power of the Image".
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Goodness me, I do hope you are all doing well! Take care, everyone! What song will I have here for you? You know the song "You Are So Beautiful"? Most folks might think of it being sung by Joe Cocker, it was a huge hit for him but it was written by Billy Preston! (Co-written with Bruce Fisher.) AND I have just learned that he really wrote it with his mother in mind! Isn't that wonderful to know?
Okay just one more...Billy Preston (when he was only 11 years old!) with the one and only Nat King Cole!
You know that article that I linked to? The 12 Ways to cope with anxiety? Let me add to that list... find some good music, something that brings you joy. Take care!
Don't worry about being called a "Pollyanna." Dwelling on the negative is its own punishment. It's entirely possible to know the evils of this world and work for positive change without being a miserable bastard about it.
ReplyDeleteI loved the movie "Amazing Grace" about William Wilberforce. I'm a big fan of Ioan Gruffudd who portrayed him. You have to be a bit of legislation nerd and policy wonk to follow the parliamentary plot, but luckily I am precisely that, lol.
Oh Debra, you do make me laugh! And I must be very much like you but I thought that film was just wonderful. I pay very close attention to all the movies I watch which is not always a good thing because I expect them to make sense and to be logical which is not always the case! I might possibly be the most serious film critic you will ever know! :-)
DeleteI wish we didn't have to apologize for every thought we have...you are allowed to be happy! Or sad because sometimes we just need to let the feelings out and get on with life. I think it's important to do as much as possible to smile and be positive. I think exercise is the best way to feel better. It may not make you skinny but it will strengthen your mind and soul! I guess if I didn't bake to feel happy the exercise might help me more! Ha! I loved the videos! How cool to be 11 and have all that talent and the opportunity to sign with such a fabulous artist. I like Billy Preston's version of that song better! Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteBy trying to focus on the positive that doesn't mean that one doesn't recognize all the seriousness of life. I truly have discovered that the people in my life who are such a positive influence on me are greatly missed. Good thing for my blogging friends! x
DeleteOf course we should fix our minds on the beautiful and the good. St. Paul told us to think on things that were true, pure, just, lovely, and of good report, things virtuous and worthy of praise. Not that we ignore the bad things, we just do not dwell on them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing those great videos.
Philippians 4:8
DeleteNew International Version
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
A favorite passage of mine too! AMEN.
Oh you're right. I'm going to ask Alexa to play me some music.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling I've seen that movie. I'll keep my eyes open if it pops up on Netflix. Stay safe, Kay.
Oh yes, I think I will search out the film again and watch it!
DeleteTake care, Kay!
Hi there, Kay. It gets difficult at times to concentrate on the positives.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult having to deal with some telecommunications companies at present....trying to receive sensible answers from them as I have been doing over the past couple of weeks. And, boy, oh, boy! Have my anxiety and frustration levels risen!! :)
Good post, Kay. Take care. :)
High Anxiety for many these days, including me!
DeleteAccentuate the positive eliminate the negative and don't mess with Mr. In Between! x
It is a lovely quote. I am naturally a person who does that. You Are So Beautiful is a beautiful song. I never liked the Joe Cocker version though.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a good song I even liked the Joe Cocker version!
DeleteMy son told me to listen to Al Green singing it, that is his favorite but then, he said he had never heard Billy Preston singing it AND he didn't know who had written it! :-)
We need all the Pollyannas we can get at the moment! And you'll find a lot of takers for how to deal with anxiety. I like cycling and walking about but I often find it strangely hard to get out of the house and actually do it. I do find it works, though. Rather amazing. Richard Cecil sounds like a nice man.
ReplyDeleteI also find it difficult to get out to exercise these days but I really do try my best. I even lift my water bottles for exercise as I walk indoors! Hey, you gotta try your best! Take care!!
DeleteI'm not sure why people have started using Pollyanna as a semi-derogatory word since Covid-19 reared its ugly head. I regard it as an excellent counterbalance to the negativity in the world. The Cecil quote is a no-brainer. We should all live by that.
ReplyDeleteGraham, you know I thought of you as I was writing this and when I read that article and it said to practice "appreciation"!
DeletePollyanna is not "edgy" enough for these days (that is what I remember a critic saying about a sweet film that I enjoyed once!)
It's always good to focus on the positive and push any negative thoughts away. I do it by counting my blessings every day. You can not be thankful and sad at the same time. Life is beautiful for those that look at it that way !
ReplyDeleteLook on the bright side! :-)
DeleteThanks for this uplifting post! I liked that article about anxiety - my favorite suggestion was "Strive for Optimism"! We sure need that these days. Thanks also for the sweet music!
ReplyDeleteWe need to support and encourage each other. We can't see people like we used to but we can text each other and write posts on our blogs! Take care, Ellen!
DeleteI'm late to the party, as I rarely get much opportunity for blogging (both reading and writing, and commenting) on weekends. But just let me add my own positive thoughts, Kay!
ReplyDeleteI can certainly testify to the benefits of exercise, both physically and mentally. If it weren't for my many walks and hikes, and seeing so much beauty along the way (even in the most mundane places), I don't know how I would have coped with some of the harder bits in my life.
Books and music have always been helpful, too. And of course my network of friends and family - even at times like these, when I can see my parents only at a distance and wisely refrain from meeting my friends at the pub or elsewhere.
Of course, I thought of you when I wrote this with all your long hikes and runs in such beautiful surroundings!
DeleteI seem to hardly have any time these days, not sure what I am doing wrong. I just keep trying my best! Take care and stay positive, I know you will!
As newer countries I always think of the USA, Canada and Australia as essentially optimist, more ongoing, 'can do' countries anyway and older European nations, especially the UK as having a more cynical, if still resilient, attitude, Americans hug and punch the air as disaster strikes- we like to moan about it :o) That's my take on it anyway. As I've always lived in a cynical fantasy land, in my own head at least, I,m naturally more inclined to expect the worst- but find it amusing anyway, especially if its ridiculous, like ignoring the scientific advances of the last 100 years, the curve of the earth, or the space race. Best wishes and keep safe.
ReplyDeleteThis has not been a very good year for optimistic outlooks, has it? I hope for the best but am not surprised at the worst, that is how I try to muddle through things! And like you, try my best to laugh about things because after all, I don't care what it is, laughter really is the best medicine!
DeleteSome days, I do feel as if I have landed on another planet, and no one else sees what I see! Except my friend Bob in Scotland! (And Alex too, I am sure!) Take care!!
Keeping positive is key, but not always easy.
ReplyDeleteBooks and music can be very helpful and just staying in touch with people.
Stay safe and well
All the best Jan
All the best to you too, Jan!
DeleteAnd stay positive, we need to encourage each other every day.
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