Build a worry wall. Replace it with an optimism wall.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I tend to promote positive-thinking and hope. You may or may not recall Pandora’s box. According to Greek myth, Pandora was the first woman on Earth, created by the gods. (By the way, her name means “the one who bears all gifts.) Each of the gods involved gave her a gift, each one “beautifully evil.” But she was not allowed to open the box.

The long story short, Pandora’s curiosity got the best of her. She opened the box. Before she could close it back up, all of the gifts escaped but one. That one gift was HOPE.

“According to Hesiod, Hope indeed stayed inside because that was Zeus’ will: he wanted to let the people suffer in order to understand that they should not disobey their gods. Pandora was the right person to do it because she was curious enough, but not malicious.” The purpose of Pandora’s story: to address the question of why evil exists in the world, all of this, according to greekmyths-greekmythology.com.

My point is “Hope.” Some people argue that hope is not a good thing because it sets us up for further disappointment and hurt. But Hope is a positive thing and with it we can keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other, until we reach the far side of each trouble and we are a little stronger for it, a little more confident, a little more prepared for the next trouble that comes along. And know this: You may think there are people who never have troubles, but nobody gets out of this life without troubles. The experiences of our lives are lessons for our growth as spiritual beings. The knowledge we accumulate helps us to deal with the challenges and obstacles that cause us so much stress.

So, we all have some degree of stress. And we have to find the means to deal with the stress when it is destructive. A place to start might be a worry wall. The worry wall is recommended for parents of children who display signs of stress or bullying. Maybe they start the day with a headache or stomachache because they have to go to school. They are worried. Maybe they used to be inseparable from their electronic devices, but now they distance themselves from the devices. Something caused that change. And the adults who love the children have to find a way to learn what the troubles are and help resolve those things. (Yes, sometimes parents find themselves in the role of detective.)

The worry wall. I wish I could take credit for this, but credit where it is due: the editors at Reader’s Digest. Give your child a batch of sticky notes. They should write one worry per sticky note. Once the note is on the wall, they aren’t to worry about it anymore. As long as it is on that wall, it is done. THEN, start an optimism wall. For each worry note, write a positive note. When the optimism wall is constructed “tear down the worry wall because it doesn’t matter anymore.”

This isn’t going to resolve the problems, but it will help build more tools for that life skills tool box we have talked about over the years. There is power in positive thinking. In fact, I believe there is a book … yes … The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.

True victims do not have the skills they need to stand up for themselves, writes Julianna LaBianca in her article, “10 Silent Signs Your Child is Being Bullied.”

I am a reader, and as I read, I keep seeing the same idea: We help each other to be our best selves … or we should be doing so.

Something interesting to look at – here’s a homework assignment for you – the friendship pyramid created by Jessica Speer. It is a tool she created to help youth, but it might be helpful for grownups, too.

Have a good week ahead as you help your loved ones to be the best they can be.

For more information about Family Recovery Center’s programs and services for substance abuse and related behavioral issues, contact the agency at 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468; or email info@familyrecovery.org. Visit the website at familyrecovery.org. You can find Family Recovery Center at Facebook. FRC is funded in part by the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.