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The Art of Positive Thinking


When I was younger, I often prayed to God for joy. You see from a young age I realised that happiness depended on the happenings in your life, you know if you passed a test, if you got a hug instead of a good buffing from your mom and if your best friend shared their snacks with you. Joy I believed was an internal state that no one could change and no circumstance could deflate. As I am older now I realise that positive thinking is essential in remaining both happy and joyful. It is by far one of the hardest choices to make, George Foreman said ‘... I let that negativity roll off me like water off a duck's back. If it's not positive, I didn't hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy.” so imagine that positive thinking is harder than being in a heavy weight fight! Being depressed or sad is easier as you don’t have to fight any feelings and search for the silver lining on that huge grey cloud.

Now I am not saying that I know or even consistently practise the art of positive thinking, no we all allow ourselves to sink into negative feelings at some point in our lives. Sometimes it does help us cope but we all must know when to shake off those feelings and bring back the light. You need to ask yourself are you ready for a challenge that will change your life? If you are, below I have listed some things, which can help you make positive thinking a part of your life. It gets easier with practise.

Control your thoughts

It is best to get control of your thoughts first thing in the morning. As soon as you get up saying a prayer if you are religious, stretching, exercising and getting these endorphins flowing, or meditating using self affirmations is a good way to start the day. Get in there before the negative thoughts start wedging themselves in with positive back talk. Many of us back chatted to our parents when we were younger if not aloud then in our minds – do the same to your negative thoughts. During the day try to do something that will lift your mood watch a funny movie, talk to a friend that makes you laugh or realise that there are people in much worst situations than you that have changed they lives around and are in a much better place. Additionally, remember that many of the things that put us in a bad mood are things that are entwined with the blessings in our lives. For example, a job that is monotonous or stressful helps us pay our bills or go on vacations.

Being self-aware is also a good strategy as you become realistically aware of your abilities what you need help with and what really works for you and makes you happy. Sometimes we are so caught up and influenced by society, that it dictates how we live and tells us what will make us happy. Find your own happiness and be proud of the life you live.

Take Action

Positive thoughts do not work on their own, being realistic about a situation and knowing that with action it won’t last forever will give your brain time to create realistic changes.

Sometimes when stuck in a situation, we need to take a risk in order to change our lives. We have all seen the movie where it happens and then it works out. While action is needed with positive thinking, we must be realistic and know that sometimes there is not always a happy conclusion. However, do not despair. These failures are lessons that teach us what not to do the next time around. These ‘failures’ teach us our abilities and our strengths. It can show us that we are persistent, or even show us how important our dreams or desires are.

When taking action, be critical of your plans, make up back up plans, and keep reviewing them. All of these will ensure that you succeed and contribute to your positivity. You can acknowledge there is negativity but don’t dwell on it. Ask yourself ‘What exactly is the problem’ when you take the time to identity what the problem is you would be able to solve it.

Positive Habits = Positive Results

Once you are inspired to act positively and then put this new energy into positive actions over time it becomes a habit. This is the exciting part, you see the changes in your life, and you see the positive results being manifested in your life. Only when positive thinking is combined with positive actions will it work. You actually do have to get off your butt and make it happen.

Positive thinking only works when you really put some muscle in it. Combined with action it can change your life. But let me say you have to be honest with yourself and others. Acknowledge bad times or feelings but don’t dwell, ignoring these feelings will eventually turn you into a false cliché chanting robot. In essence, bad feelings just as pain is a trigger that lets us know something is amiss listen to it and change your life for the better.