By Melanie Valderrama

The Law of Rhythm teaches that when you’re feeling down, the most powerful thing you can do is be grateful—because, by law, an upswing is coming. You can count on it. Life is designed for endless upward progression.

I remember sharing this law with a friend who was in the middle of a really tough season. When I explained how life moves in cycles—ups and downs, like the tides—her eyes lit up. She had been struggling to believe there was anything better ahead. But once she understood that an upswing was guaranteed, her energy shifted. The next time I saw her, she looked radiant—like hope itself had breathed new life into her.

I’ve seen the Law of Rhythm in action in my own life too.

For a long time, my “downs” lasted way longer than my “ups.” I might feel great for a day, then sink into a low for a week or two. Not fun. I realized that if I wanted to break that pattern, I had to commit to something new. Something better.

So I made a decision—to do something uplifting every single day.

I started by learning something positive each morning. I surrounded myself with like-minded people. I joined a phone group with friends where we uplifted and supported one another. I found an encouraging forum and started connecting with others. I swapped out mindless TV for better books. I created a "power hour" every morning to read, study, and review the actions I needed to take to become the version of myself I wanted to be.

And eventually… my rhythms flipped.

Now, I feel good most of the time. I don’t even want to stay in a funk for a whole day—that feels like too much time to give away. I still let myself feel things, of course. The lows help me notice and appreciate the highs. But I no longer spiral into self-criticism like I used to.

Where I once picked myself apart, I now give myself grace. I trust my instincts more. I love being someone who uplifts others. I want people I interact with to see the good in themselves, too.

Gratitude is now a daily rhythm for me. Sometimes I write a list. Other times I go deep and reflect on one specific moment, person, or situation I’m thankful for in my journal. I make a point to tell people when I appreciate them.

My old highs have become my new lows—and I plan to keep riding this upward cycle... oh, forever.

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