But it’s easy to get distracted. It’s easy to feel weighed down by burdens, get caught up in drama, believe the gossip we hear, grow disillusioned as we watch the news, feel depressed by setbacks, let our inner critic get the best of us. Soon, we start believing the hype and attracting like-minded people into our lives because misery loves company.
I was thinking about this last night, as Ryder and I were reading Harry Potter {the kid is suddenly and wonderfully obsessed with these books!}. Right now, we’re reading a lot about Dementors – dark and demented beings that have tricked many people into thinking their harmless…even helpful. When Professor Lupin reveals the truth about them to Harry, he says:
“Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth…they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them. Get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself.”
Harry has to fend off these energy vampires. And so do we.
In the land of Hogwarts, Dementors cannot be killed – only chased away and kept at bay with a special charm that is the “magical manifestation of good will and happiness.” Same thing in the real world, right? When I notice myself falling prey to shadow thoughts like those I listed above or notice I’m allowing the Debbie Downers I know to influence my outlook on life, I step back and work my charm.
I start counting all the sweet stuff in my midst. The comfy bed, the sturdy walls around me, my kids’ laughter, the things I can afford, friends who lift my spirits, books I love, glorious sunshine, good food to eat, a hubby who makes me coffee before he goes to work, a faithful pup who turns 11 tomorrow, a happy heart.
As I fix my gaze on all those good things, I can’t help but notice more and more throughout my day. And as I reacquaint myself with joy and gratitude, the Dementors fade into the distance. Good riddance.
P.S. This painting is my latest AEDM creation – day 9!
Such a great reminder! Your art is right – life is good! Thanks for making my day even better!
Oh, I love a Harry Potter metaphor !!! Yes ! The Dementors have been getting to me lately. I, in fact, may have been acting rather Demontor-ish myself !
Going to work on my "expecto-patronum !" and blast those demons away !
Thanks for the reminder, Lovely Liv !
Light and love to you !
my girls and i use to stay up late on a school night reading Harry Potter!! Love how you relate it to real life…and it's so true!!
I do 5 daily gratitudes in the morning…it does help attract more things to be grateful for! and keeps the energy vampires away!!
great article Liv – yes, so easy to get distracted but wonderful to know it can be turned around in an instant. My 10 year old is still obsessed with Harry Potter which usually dominates most dinner conversations
I agree with you!!! We should always look at the bright side of everything, appreciate whatever it is that we have and focus on the good things. This way, we will be able to reflect positivity and this will just radiate, thus experiencing life the way God wants us to. Life is beautiful and we should enjoy it.
xoxo
ida
http://asplashofida.blogspot.com
a perfect quote!!!! wonderful work!!!
This is so true – what we focus on matters! Thanks for the fun story to remind me.
Adorable painting and a wonderful attitude! I agree!
(I see something familiar in the foreground
)
Well said! This idea is exactly why I've changed the focus of my blog and my thoughts lately. Instead of focusing on why I struggle with my issues I rather focus on what makes me feel good–my art.