There is always a bright side. Sometimes, it may feel impossible to find—but it’s there if we look for it. Often, we don’t see it until later, when hindsight reveals that not getting what we thought we wanted brought something even better.

But here’s the thing: when we actively choose to seek out the good, the positive, the light—it trains our minds to keep looking. And eventually, it becomes second nature.

We are bombarded by fear and negativity every day. So why not choose the opposite? Why not be intentional about focusing on what’s working, what’s good, and what’s worth celebrating?

How I Found the Bright Side

Before I began walking this path, I lived in a negative world—one fueled by fear, shame, and pain.

The light didn’t last long in those days. I had fleeting moments of brightness, but the clouds of my own mind would roll in and dim it. I always defaulted to the worst-case scenario, and even when something good happened, I’d immediately brace for when it would be taken away.

My hope lived in superficial things—external markers I clung to like a lifeline. If something bright appeared, it was often a distraction rather than a shift. And because it wasn’t rooted in anything lasting, it never stuck around.

Recovery changed that. It taught me to start with gratitude. To look for moments of light. And when I couldn’t feel it? To write it down anyway. Even on my darkest days, I could find one thing. A kind word. A warm cup of coffee. A song I loved. Those small sparks reminded me that light is always there—we just have to invite it in.

Train Your Eyes to See the Light

Every day, we’re given a choice: focus on the fear or look for the light.

And as someone who has lived in both places, I can tell you—choosing the light is where everything changes.

It’s not about pretending things are perfect. It’s about deciding not to let the darkness win. It’s choosing to see that yes, things may be hard—but they’re not only hard.

The more we practice gratitude and look for the good, the more it shows up. That’s not magic—that’s mindset. And it’s powerful.

Be someone who looks for the bright side. And even better? Be someone who becomes the bright side for someone else.

Our light shines the brightest when we share it.

SLAY on.

SLAY Reflection: What Are You Choosing to See?

• Do you tend to focus on the negative or look for the light? What habits shape that tendency?
• Was there a time in your life when you struggled to find anything good? How did that affect your day-to-day experience?
• What small moments of light have shown up for you recently? Did you notice them?
• Has something you once saw as a disappointment turned out to be a blessing?
• What could shift in your life if you committed to seeing the bright side—just once a day?

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you’re choosing the bright side today—even when it would be easier to stay in the dark?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

And if you know someone who needs a little light right now, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a reminder that it’s still there—waiting to be seen.