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Writer's pictureJessica McKinley

Attitude & Gratitude Experiment #1: The Bright Side Filter

at·ti·tude (noun)


one’s position in relation to an issue, object or circumstance.


Your attitude is a matter of perspective. My question at the beginning of this month was this: If I could train myself to consistently position myself on the brighter side of every situation, would I want to? And if I did, would I be ignoring potentially serious problems?


I want to be absolutely positive that I can be absolutely positive, without losing perspective.



I was raised to be acutely aware of my attitude, even when no one was looking. This is the quote that sums it up.


"Watch your thoughts for they become your words. Watch your words for they become your actions. Watch your actions for they become your habits. Watch your habits for they become your character. And watch your character for it becomes your destiny.”


Once I gave into the novel idea that you can actually control your thoughts (an experiment for another time!), my life changed. Still, I always had a nagging sense of guilt every time I dismissed a negative, brushing it under the rug with my positive attitude.  But, I couldn’t argue with the fact that reading and watching and listening to negative media left me feeling exhausted.


I always feel better when I argue “the bright side”. But I was worried that I would become so bright and cheery that I could no longer stomach harsh realities. I didn’t want to ignore controversy just for the sake of staying positive. Ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is ignorance.

If you get out of your life what you put into your brain, then in order to be happy and successful… YOU NEED TO FILTER WHAT YOU SEE & HEAR.

Thanks for keeping me informed on the breaking news that gun shops carry weapons…

So, when it comes to negative news, what makes the cut? Personal development gurus almost unanimously say to keep it to a minimum. But, global affairs is a passion of mine and I want to stay current.


What’s a happiness scientist to do? This December, I aim to find the balance between The Bright Side and Under The Rug.



Introducing… The Bright Side Filter Experiment:


  1. Keep a notebook, or open NOTES in your phone and label it “The Bright Side Filter”.

  2. Write down every negative or mindless source of information you consume for a week. (Local news, Gossip magazines, Political news, Buzzfeed-esque articles, youtube videos, TV shows, etc.)

  3. Go through the list and ask the following: Is this information helping me be a better, healthier, wealthier, more intelligent person?

  4. If the answer is yes, keep it in the rotation. If the answer is no… consider it filtered.

Your young brain is endlessly thirsty but you can’t just go feeding it swamp water. Purify your information because what you feed your brain is what your brain uses to produce the ideas that fuel your life. Use the Bright Side Filter to help you define your media diet.


What “junk food” did you clear out of the cabinets for your brain? Comment below!



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