Think Positive! (What Does that Really Mean?)

To think positive means to have a mental attitude that allows into the mind only those thoughts, words, and images that work to move you forward through growth and success.  Thinking positive means to expect only that good things will happen, because they are supposed to happen. 

Although some people have a hard time believing in the power of this kind of thinking, many psychologists agree that training ourselves to be positive thinkers is important to our overall wellbeing, because--they say--whatever the mind expects, it finds.

What Do You Think?

Are you a half-empty or half-full kind of person?  Medical studies show that people who have a more positive outlook on life live a better, healthier life!

Being a positive person doesn't mean skipping through life on rainbows, not accepting the bad and troublesome things that can happen in life...it deals with how you handle those tough situations. Positive thinkers react to bad situations in a positive way, and are able to manage those down times in a productiive way that is less threatening to their mental and phsyical health.

5 Benefits of Positive Thinking

Medical Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking on health. So far, studies show certain links to:

1.  Increased life span
2.  Decreased risk of depression
3.  Decreased stress levels
4.  Increased immunity
5.  Decreased risk of heart problems 

The Good News

Health Psychologist Dr. Nancy Mramor says the good news is, we all have the power to re-train our brains! If you find yourself dwelling on what's going wrong...you absolutely have the power within you to change your way of thinking. 

Be aware that with practice, you will feel results quickly, but lasting results require some focus and concentration.  Think of spending a few minutes a day on mental exercises as an investment in your future happiness. Have some patience with this.  You're doing the hard work of changing a habit.  It'll happen, but it takes some time.

Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.

In case you feel any inner resistance when replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, do not give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.

It does not matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.

At a very basic level, to be a positive thinker you need to replace any negative thoughts that pop into your mind with positive ones.  Negative thoughts can be pretty persistent.  So you have to be just as persistent with the positive replacement.  Some experts tell patients to think of it as having two images or products in your mind, and you're having to pick one.  The more you do this, the easier it becomes, and soon, you won't have to work at selecting the more positive thought---they will come to you on their own.

Keys to Becoming Positive

1.  Be your own Thought Police:  At several points throughout the day, get into the habit of doing a little check on your attitude.  How are you approaching the day?  What kinds of thoughts are running through your head? You have the power to turn it around at any time. 

2.  Look for opportunities to laugh:  Smiling and laughing--especially during difficut times---can be an enormous help in bringing a boost to your spirits. Finding and allowing yourself to appreciate the humor in life has been shown to work wonders to relieve stress.

3.  Look around you:  What kinds of people do you regularly spend time with?  Are they positive and supportive, or do they move through life feeling dragged down and angry?  The attitudes of those in your close circle easily spill out onto you.  Protect and amplify your positive thinking work by surrounding yourself with positive, forward moving people.

 
4.  Talk yourself up:  Do you treat yourself as kindly as you treat others?  Why not? Don't be afraid to notice and promote positive things within yourself.  

Positive Thoughts:

Here are some things you can think about to feel more positive.  The more you do it, the easier it will become.

1.  Zoom in on what you want...not on what you do not want to happen.

2.  Visualize and celebrate the good things in your life---however small. 

3.  First thing in the morning, and last thought before bed, believe with all your heart that you have abundance...success...happiness...health....love.  

4.  Create a clear, specific image of what you want and live like you already have it.

5.  Tell yourself that you are a positive person! You always see the good in things. You are a light to those around you.

6.  When something unexpected happens, see how quickly you can find the positive in it. Teach your children and loved ones to do the same.

7.  Show people how positive you are through your words and actions. 

8.  Surround yourself with positive, happy people.

9.  Allow yourself to be inspired by the successes of others.  

Give it a Positive Spin

Here are some examples of ways to approach feelings in a more positive, productive way:

Instead of "I'm lost! I've never done this before!" SAY>>> "This is a great change to learn something new!"

Instead of "This is just too much, I'll never get it all done." SAY>>> "I know I can tackle this a little bit at a time, and how satisfying it will feel when I'm done!"

Instead of "Other people keep doing things to mess me up." SAY>>> "Here's what I'm going to do to take charge of getting this taken care of."

Positive Words:

• "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
  ---Winston Churchill
• "Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours"
  ---Swedish Proverb
• "Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness."
  ---Oprah Winfrey

Accept the Good, Graciously!

Many women have a hard time accepting and believing the kind words and compliments of others, but experts say that accepting praise is essential for maintaning healthy self confidence.

If you feel embarassed or uncomfortable and get tongue-tied when someone gives you a compliment, try to push through it and respond with a simple, "thank you". 

Getting better at accepting compliments goes a long way towards getting over any personal insecurities you might have.  It paves the way for more kind words to come your way...and for you to be confident enough to return the compliment.

Back up the "thank you" with good posture and a smile, instead of a slouch and lack of eye contact, which gives off body language that goes against the sincere thanks you want to give.