It's autumn here in Southeast Tennessee, and last week, the leaves finally started to change. Most of the trees were still green, which is strange because peak color season should have started three weeks ago. But Mother Nature has her own schedule, and so we have to be patient until she chooses to shine.

Seeing the bright hints of yellow in the woods behind my house got me thinking about color. I had a busy week at work last week, working many more hours than I normally do as I finished the last of the Tennessee tax extensions. Now, for a few weeks, I can relax.

As I was sitting at my desk one morning, I noticed this really cool thing happening on the floor under my desk. (Please excuse the dust bunny.)

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As the rainbow formed near my feet, it reminded me how much color can affect my mood. Whether it's the blue of the sky, or the yellow of the wild daisies growing nearby, color can be intensely powerful.

So this week, in the Positivity Club, we're going to be talking about colors. Each day will focus on one color, and how that color might affect you. We're going to start today with the powerful color of red.

The Power of Red

There are so many facets to red. We often associate red with danger. It's the color of red warning lights and red flags. Then red is also associated with anger, and we talk about being red-faced or red hot.

But then there's love, and somehow in the midst of this, red also symbolizes the warmest quality. Drawn hearts are often red, and it's the color social media apps use when you like a post.

Red has a lot of meaning for me. Not only was it my best friend Lizzy's favorite color, but it was also my dad's favorite color. My last three cars have been red, largely because my dad liked the color. That may be a silly reason, but so it is. It's also the color of my computer mouse and stapler at work, and that's not by accident.

Red is also a color that's associated with revenge or destruction. In a story I wrote many years ago, a young man was very angry with the harm his mother caused while he was growing up. So he painted an entire canvas white and then put two red circles in the middle to represent her judging eyes. Then he burned the painting. To me, those red circles encompass so much, from the brutality he felt growing up to the anger he had in the present.

I also associate red with bipolar disorder. I call my second-to-worst days "red days" (the worst days are "black days," a color that I won't discuss this week.) Red days usually come after a few nights of insomnia. I wake up in the morning and I'm angry with the world and everyone in it. Those are hard days, and often the ones that I choose to stay away from people during.

Then there’s my favorite red things: strawberries, roses, and rubies. Red has so many connections that it’s hard to look at them all.

Your Task for Today

Your task for today is to explore the color red. Look for it in your home or wherever your day takes you, and then think about what that color means to you. What does it make you feel? What memories does it bring back to mind? Who do you associate with the color red?

The color red is only the beginning. If you're part of the Positivity Club, we'll discuss six more colors in the Monday through Saturday posts. I look forward to seeing you there.

A Quick Note

As a quick reminder, paid subscriptions turned back on last week in the Positivity Club. Free subscribers will only receive the Sunday and Monday posts. If you want all the great content you've been seeing the last few weeks, please consider supporting my work by becoming a paid subscriber.

One quick note before I close. I’m doing a little better this week. I wouldn't say the depression (or whatever is making me feel off) is gone, but I feel a bit lighter now. I appreciate everyone who reached out to offer encouragement. It's by supporting each other that we all can keep moving forward.

Journal Prompt: When have you felt a surge of passion or energy? Describe the feeling and what sparked it.

Affirmation: "I embrace my passion and use its energy to move forward."

Until next time, keep fighting.

Scott Ninneman

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Additional Reading:

• ​10 Simple Questions To Help You Start Journaling​
• ​Limitations, Chronic Illness, and Bipolar Disorder​
• ​What It's Like to Experience a Bipolar Mixed Episode​
• ​How To Have the Courage to Ask for Help​​
• ​Archive Newsletters​