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Caroline D’Souza
Caroline D’Souza

Positivity aims at the heart of success

By  Caroline D’Souza, Youth Speak News
  • June 28, 2013

Load, aim, fire: the basics of air rifle shooting, an Olympic sport. For the past three years, I have had the honour of representing Ontario with my fellow team members at the National Marksmanship Competitions, which entails practice, steadiness, a good diet, concentration, a comfortable position, proper breathing and most importantly, a positive attitude.

But like everyone, we find it difficult to stay optimistic all the time.

“No regrets” is our team’s motto. We teach ourselves to move on from a disappointing target or malfunctioning rifle because dwelling on what is wrong will cause us to duplicate the mistake. We learn to take each individual target as it approaches and only reflect on how we can improve.

Similarly, we must take life by stride. We must learn from our mistakes, but not let them define us. Maintaining a positive attitude will not only help relieve stress, but it also helps us build our relationship with people and with God.

For the half an hour that we lay down to shoot during a competition, we focus on one thing and one thing only: seeking perfection. However, nobody is perfect.

The Bible tells us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, (and) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19).

Optimism is a way of controlling our thoughts. We frequently need to convince ourselves to be positive. “I will shoot 100” is an affirmation statement, which I have reiterated countless times before a relay, in my dreams and even in notes on my iPod because positivity begins with self-confidence.

We often do not realize how negativity controls our daily lives — gossiping, judging and harsh language. An effortless change of words can spin a negative situation around completely.

The difference between a potentially spilled cup of tea and a full cup of tea is simple. Rather than telling someone, “don’t spill the tea,” a basic change of words to “be careful with that cup of tea” eliminates negative words such as “don’t” and sets a more positive tone, reducing the chances of the tea being spilled.

But mistakes are bound to happen, so we must pray to God to help us overcome these situations and be positive under all circumstances.

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it and be glad” (Psalm 118:24).

So make it your mission to change your “I did bad” to “I know I can do better,” change your “I want to” to “I will” and change your “do not” to “do.” Take life one pace at a time, and let yourself be vulnerable. Ask God for help because with Him, anything is possible.

(D’Souza, 15, is a Grade 11 International Baccalaureate student at Blessed Pope John Paul II in Toronto.)

More in this category: « Faith is the fear-killer Opportunities lie in summer days »

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