The Positive Dog Grows

Matt spent the next few days feeding the positive dog with the strategies Bubba taught him, and he even created some of his own. He realized that he felt very positive when he was doing something he enjoyed such as digging, playing catch with a ball, or jumping to catch Barry's Frisbee. He also felt energized when he relaxed in silence, and it occurred to him that feeding the positive dog was most powerful when he focused on the present moment.

Bubba told him that the research supported his experience. It showed that doing something you enjoy and being in the present moment are big positivity boosters—as are meditation and prayer. In fact research shows that meditation and prayer reduce stress, boost positivity, and enhance health, vitality, and longevity. Matt made mental notes of this and made it a point to practice them in his daily life.

As the days turned into weeks, Matt discovered that the more he practiced positivity, the more open he became to everything in his life. He made more friends. He came up with many new solutions to his complaints and he created many new strategies to be more positive. He realized that the more positive he became, the more open he became; the more friends, solutions, and possibilities flowed into his life, all of which generated even more positivity. He realized that positivity doesn't just feed the positive dog inside you; it also feeds itself and grows in your life. Bubba told Matt that Jade's book mentioned a researcher named Barbara Fredrickson, and her work supported his experience. “Positivity doesn't just change you; it changes everything around you,” he said.

And everything in Matt's life did change. Instead of being a constant complainer he always focused on what was good in his life. Instead of feeling negative and depressed he felt more positive, healthier, stronger, and more energized.

Matt also discovered a big benefit of being positive was that he was better able to handle setbacks and challenges. Time after time, people came to the shelter to select a dog, but Matt wasn't chosen. Instead of feeling rejected he chose to believe he was being protected. He came to believe that every dog has an owner that is meant for them, and the fact that he hadn't been adopted yet meant that he was being protected from being with the wrong owner. He believed he would be adopted when the right owner—the only one he was meant to be with—came to the shelter.

Matt also became more adept at overcoming minor challenges. In the past, a fight with another dog, a bad tasting meal, or an injury to his leg would have ruined his day but now Matt was able to turn adversity into a learning opportunity. Challenges still happened, but his positivity allowed him to bounce back and grow from them.

The biggest change of all, however, was how Matt affected others. More dogs wanted to be around him. More visitors to the shelter wanted to hold him. In the past he didn't have any friends but now he had meaningful friendships with a bunch of dogs, including Bubba. Matt discovered when you are positive you are not the only one who benefits. Everyone around you benefits from your positivity. When you are positive, you not only make yourself better, you make everyone around you better.