Positivity and Its Ripple Effects
“when you start seeing the silver lining in your past, your entire perspective on the future begins to change.”
In 2018, we left everything familiar behind and moved from Pennsylvania to Greenville, South Carolina. It was a step into the unknown—especially for my husband Dave, who had never lived outside of two Pennsylvania counties his entire life. I, on the other hand, had moved across five states and four counties within Pennsylvania alone. But even with my experience, moving 11 hours away from our friends and family was both exciting and terrifying.
We were ready for a fresh start, but life has a funny way of testing you when you step out of your comfort zone. We faced some unexpected challenges that could’ve easily sent us packing back north. Still, something inside me kept saying, “No, you’re meant to stick this out.” And I’m so glad we did.
During our first year in Greenville, something began to shift inside me. I started taking long evening walks after work—sometimes two hours, covering up to seven miles. With every step, I found a sense of clarity. I made a conscious decision during those walks: it was time to see the positive in everything.
It’s easy to complain. It’s easy to join the chorus of negativity and sit in the pain of our past experiences. What’s hard is choosing to find the silver lining. It takes work to shift your mindset, especially when life has thrown its share of curveballs. But I started asking myself, “What was the lesson here?” and “How can I grow from this?”
And here’s the magic—when you start seeing the silver lining in your past, your entire perspective on the future begins to change.
That mindset began to seep into other areas of my life. I wanted to be a force for positive change, to build something meaningful, to leave a legacy my children would be proud of. I was making a difference where I was—I helped the business I worked for grow to four times its original size. But as I continued to grow and evolve, the people around me wanted me to stay the same. That resistance became uncomfortable.
Eventually, I realized I was no longer moving forward. I was stuck in a space that didn’t align with who I was becoming. Every part of my life felt full—except this one. My heart has always been wired for service, and I’ve carried an entrepreneurial spirit for as long as I can remember.
Then, a good friend pulled me aside and said words that stuck with me: “You can do this.” I started sharing my thoughts with Dave. True to form, he was hesitant at first—he’s always been the “play-it-safe” kind of guy. But still, I followed the pull on my heart and reached out to an old friend. One phone call led to a lunch meeting... which turned into eleven months and two weeks of preparation.
After that first meeting, even Dave no longer hesitated.
As word spread within my closest circle, I kept hearing the same affirmation over and over: “This is what you were always meant to do.” And then came a conversation with my walking partner—the same walks where my journey had truly begun. She looked at me and said, “Everything you have ever been through and have done has prepared you for this moment.”
Every time self-doubt tried to creep in, my closest circle of friends were right there with me—sharing in the vision, echoing the positivity, reminding me of the silver linings. Their belief in me was—and is—unshakable.
What I’ve Learned: The Ripple Effects of Positivity
Choosing positivity isn't about ignoring reality. It's about facing it with courage, purpose, and hope. Here are a few things I’ve learned from this journey:
Positivity is a decision. It’s not always easy—but it’s always worth it. You don’t wait for life to feel good to be positive. You choose to be positive, and then life begins to respond.
Your inner dialogue shapes your outer world. Be mindful of the story you’re telling yourself, especially during tough times. Look for lessons, not just losses.
Growth makes others uncomfortable—but don’t shrink. Not everyone will understand your evolution. That’s okay. Keep going anyway.
Support comes when you step into purpose. The right people will show up when you start walking in the direction of your calling.
Your energy creates ripples. Every choice to see the good, to lead with love, to stay hopeful—it spreads. You’ll never fully know the impact of your light, but trust me, it’s there.
Author: Helena (Lena) Erman
Wealth Advisor
Jacobi Capital Management, LLC
