Be More Betsy
Want to spread positivity, but don’t know how? Want to see the good in a tricky situation? 6 year old YouTuber Betsy will have you oozing positivity in no time.
By Betsy Griffin and Erin O’Connor
It’s wonderful how one person’s story can shift your entire perspective on what’s really important in life and show how we can all find ways to be positive. This is exactly the type of a-ha moment we had speaking to six year old Betsy Griffin. Betsy was diagnosed at just two years old with a large brain tumour, and because of where the tumour is located she now has a severe visual impairment.
For those of us that are not living with such conditions, it might be pretty hard to imagine how to cope. But Betsy doesn’t let it hold her back, in fact she thrives. So, What’s her secret?
We had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Betsy and her Dad, to talk about everything she does to spread positivity. Here’s what she taught us.
Find someone who inspires you
Betsy spoke very fondly of one person who particularly inspired her to be happy -her great grandad Tom (who is 98 years old). Betsy tells us that even though he is old, he lives a happy life - he still plays games with his grandchildren and likes playing make-belief wars with his Grandson Jack (his nickname when they’re playing is Wing Commander). She really admires this about him, and she tells us that she too would like to live like he has.
Often as adults we can look for inspiration in great leaders or performers. Betsy reminds us that this happiness can also be found closer to home, in the kindness of a family member who is not expecting anything from you, but is always happy to see you.
They say kindness is contagious - and talking to Betsy we know this is true. It is impossible to speak to her and not feel a smile creep onto your face, she embodies pure joy and an enthusiasm for life which can be hard t muster up after a long day at the office. She tells us that inspiration is like a chain - spreading from one person to the next, so we have to pass it on.
“I just like to say hello and chat to my neighbours, spreading gratitude and kindness. That’s what it’s all about really, love is what you need.”
Betsy tells us that that if you are happier, you have a better chance to live longer.
Now those are some words to live by.
She is packed full of energy and ready to inspire others, through her YouTube videos (keep scrolling for the link) and in her words, she wants to ‘spread inspiration around the world like you spread Nutella on bread’. Now doesn’t that sound great?
Betsy giggles with her sister, while she was in hospital receiving treatment.
Practice a little meditation each day
Because of her visual impairment, her internal circadian rhythm has been disrupted. What this means is she wakes up quite early, earlier than her siblings. Rather than being restless, her Dad taught her how to meditate, and so, every morning when she wakes up Betsy will sit in her bedroom and do a visualisation meditation to calm down and prepare for the day ahead.
She even uses the meditation techniques while she has her MRI scans to calm herself down, Betsy’s Dad tells us “The MRI machines can be so loud and unsettling, but practicing meditation really helps to keep her calm.”
Giving back to your community
But Betsy doesn’t stop there, determined to make a difference in her own community she spends her spare time making things and selling them to raise money for charity, creating bookmarks and paintings that she sells from the end of her driveway, she tells us ‘‘I love to paint, because I love to get mucky!’’
Music is a big part of their lives, and a constant source of inspiration and positivity for the Griffin family. ‘We love Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds song - it has become our family anthem!”
Sometimes she’ll even bring her keyboard out to the end of her driveway too, and play for passersby, she tells us “I just like to say hello and chat to my neighbours, spreading gratitude and kindness. That’s what it’s all about really, love is what you need.”
She’s now back at school, all smiles and positive energy.
We asked Betsy to share her top tips for staying positive no matter how old you are
1. Be yourself and don’t forget to have fun.
2. Dance, sing, paint, play a game - make time each day to do things you enjoy. If it brings a smile to your face, do it.
3. Let your friends, family and neighbours know how much you care about them. Send them silly messages, cards (or even just say hello!). You never know how much that could make a difference.
4. Find things to be grateful about - Betsy tells us “Gratitude is what makes us really live” we suggest writing it down, when you have a sad day it can be really helpful to come back to a list of good things to remind you of the good things you already have.
5. Try a few minutes of meditation every day.
Find Betsy on YouTube
Check our Betsy’s YouTube channel Betsy’s Positive Videos, where she talks about everything from gratitude to resilience to the joys of painting at the link below.
ERIN O’CONNOR
Erin is a writer based in London. When’s she’s not attending a space rave, or attempting to make her own face scrub she is writing about anything and everything to do with wellbeing and mindfulness.
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