It’s quite common these days to hear the expression “Think Positive”, and you may even have used it to encourage someone going through a rough patch. But whether these words are useful or effective depends on what the person believes. Understood properly, positive thinking can change your life!
Positive Thinking brings inner peace, success, improved relationships, better health, happiness and satisfaction. It can help the daily affairs of life move more smoothly, and make life looks bright and promising.
It’s All In The Mind, Right?
Problem is, not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject nonsensical psycho-babble, while others scoff at those who choose to believe and accept it. And among those who do believe, not many know how to harness it effectively to get results. But, you may ask, what’s there to know about positive thinking, anyway? Isn’t it all about looking on the brighter side of life?
Well, yes that’s true but there’s a little bit more to it than that. True positive thinking is not just saying that everything will be okay, as a lip service, while at the same time thinking about the possibility of failure. It’s really a mental attitude that admits into the mind only thoughts, words and images that are conducive to growth, expansion and success. In simple terms, it’s a mental attitude that consistently expects good and favourable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of very situation and action. And the amazing truth is, whatever the mind expects, it finds.
When our attitude is positive, we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images about ourselves and the situation we are in. We see in our mind’s eye what we really want to happen. Positive mind-pictures like this bring about an inner sense of happiness which puts a sparkle in your eyes and a spring in your step. Your whole being glows with goodwill, happiness and success, and you find yourself walking tall, with a new confidence in your voice and posture.
Positive and negative thinking are both contagious. All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. People sense our mood and are affected by our thoughts. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through our body language. Like it or not, we can never really hide our emotions, as our body is quick to broadcast the way we feel inside. Negative thoughts, self-talk and attitude bring up negative moods and actions. Is it any wonder that we all like to be around positive people? Upbeat people are definitely more likeable and more likely to find favour with others. No doubt, keeping your inner joy and refusing to give in to negativity can positively affect you, your environment and the people around you.
I Think, Therefore I Can
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, the best-selling author and father of positive thinking, first popularized this idea of the “power of positive thinking”. Peale taught that in order to bring beneficial changes and improvement into one’s life, positive thinking has to become one’s predominant mental attitude throughout the day. People with a positive frame of mind constantly and consistently think in terms of “I can”, “I am able” and “I will succeed”. They are not daunted by failures and obstacles, and if things don’t turn out well or as expected, they will try again.
More importantly, he taught that thinking positive is not a passive attitude. Real and effective positive thinking requires that you not only focus on positive thoughts and positive emotions, but also take positive actions. In short, to yield the desired results, you need to develop a positive attitude towards life, expect a successful outcome of whatever you do, and also take any necessary actions to ensure your success. Clearly, some effort and inner work are necessary. So, no matter what your situation, think positively, expect only favourable results and situations, and circumstances will eventually change accordingly.
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