Don't focus on negative things; focus on the positive, and you

Hear the words of Alek Wek, who walked from the shadows of war in South Sudan to the brightness of international acclaim, carrying wisdom forged in struggle: “Don’t focus on negative things; focus on the positive, and you will flourish.” These words are not the shallow optimism of one untouched by hardship; they are the hard-earned truth of a woman who knew despair yet chose light. They remind us that the gaze of the heart determines the harvest of the soul. Where the eye lingers, there the spirit grows—whether in despair or in hope.

To dwell upon the negative is to water weeds, feeding bitterness, envy, and despair. Such thoughts multiply, wrapping themselves around the heart until all joy is choked out. But to shift one’s vision to the positive is to open the windows of the soul to sunlight. It does not erase the storm, but it gives strength to endure, clarity to act, and courage to rise. This shift of focus is not mere denial of pain, but the transformation of pain into fuel for growth. By this choice, the human spirit begins to flourish like a tree planted by rivers of living water.

The ancients knew this mystery well. Marcus Aurelius, emperor and Stoic, taught that the mind shapes its own reality: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” The Buddha, too, declared that suffering arises not only from the world but from how we cling to it in our minds. Even the psalmists of old sang of lifting their eyes to the hills, for where the eyes turn, there the heart follows. Wek’s counsel echoes this timeless wisdom—turn away from shadows, fix your gaze on the light, and the soul will grow toward it.

History bears luminous testimony. Consider Viktor Frankl, survivor of the Nazi camps, who endured unimaginable horror. Surrounded by cruelty, deprivation, and despair, he chose not to let his mind be consumed by the negative. Instead, he clung to the positive—the love of his wife, the possibility of meaning in suffering, the vision of teaching others once free. Because of this, his spirit remained unbroken, and his book Man’s Search for Meaning has since inspired millions. In his choice of focus, he did not only survive—he began to flourish even amidst ashes.

Yet Wek’s words carry a hidden challenge: to focus on the positive requires vigilance. The negative often shouts loudly, while the positive whispers softly. It is easy to drown in criticism, failure, and fear; it is harder to notice small victories, quiet blessings, and hidden opportunities. To flourish, one must cultivate discipline of thought, training the mind as one trains a warrior or a craftsman—to turn again and again toward what gives life, rather than what steals it.

The lesson for us is clear: flourishing is not a gift reserved for the fortunate; it is a choice available to every soul. We cannot choose what storms will come, but we can choose where to cast the anchor of our hearts. If we cling to despair, we will wither. If we cling to hope, we will bloom even in desert places. In this lies the secret of resilience, the hidden strength that transforms ordinary lives into stories of triumph.

Practical steps flow from this teaching. Each day, begin by naming three positive things for which you are grateful. When the negative rises, pause and reframe it, asking: What can I learn here? What light may be hidden in this shadow? Surround yourself with those who uplift rather than drain your spirit. Seek beauty in simple things—the laughter of a friend, the warmth of sunlight, the gift of breath. These practices shift the focus of the mind, and over time, the heart learns to flourish naturally, like a flower turning toward the sun.

So remember Alek Wek’s counsel: “Don’t focus on negative things; focus on the positive, and you will flourish.” Take it as both shield and sword for your journey through life. Shield, to guard against despair; sword, to cut through the darkness with the light of your vision. Walk in this way, and though hardships may come, your life will not wither but will blossom, leaving behind a fragrance of hope for those who come after you.