The Power of Positive Thinking

photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

Every self-help guru on the planet will tell you that the way to experience happiness, prosperity, and health is through the doorway of positive thinking. And while that’s easy to talk about when all is going great in your life, it may not be much comfort to you if things are crashing and burning all around you.

But the self-help gurus are right about the power of positive thinking. You can begin to take control of your thoughts and guide them in the direction you want your life to go. Your thoughts are the driving force toward your destiny.

Use these simple strategies to harness the power of positive thinking and heading toward the happiness you crave:

1. Smile and be thankful. Much of what you experience in life depends on what you pay attention to. Each day, some things will go right and some things will go wrong. If you pay more attention to the things that go right and dwell on those things, you’ll experience more happiness.

* Smile and greet everyone you meet warmly. Smiles are contagious, and you’ll instantly begin to feel a difference inside yourself.

* Pause throughout the day to think about things that you are grateful for. The more you practice gratitude, the better you’ll feel about life and about yourself.

2. Surround yourself with positive people. Most people who soar to incredible heights of accomplishment in their lives do so because they surround themselves with positive, encouraging people. It’s hard to have a positive outlook when everyone around you is complaining all the time.

* If you surround yourself with people who routinely seek the good inside of you, you’ll begin to do the same. Spend less time with negative people and more time with those who speak words of support into your life. If you do, you’ll experience greater power, self-confidence and joy.

3. Think constructively. For positive thinking to truly make a difference in your life, you must replace negative thoughts as they occur. Most important, however, is the need to get whatever benefits you can out of the negative thought before you erase it from your mind.

* Instead of ignoring your negative thought and hoping it will go away, ask yourself if the critic inside of you is trying to teach you something valuable. Take note of the lesson, and then quickly discard the negative thought. Replace it with a positive perspective on the same situation.

* Whenever you experience negative thinking, ask yourself: “What else could this mean?” If someone treats you unfairly, it could mean that they don’t like you very much. But it probably means they’re just having a bad day. How can you help? Do you see how this question can change your entire outlook?

4. Use positive affirmations. Often, when faced with a stressful situation, we resort to a pattern of thinking and behaving that has become a habit. How do you create new habits that support your success instead of sabotaging it? Positive affirmations are the key.

* Write out the things you want in life and the qualities you want to possess. Write these statements in the present tense, and use positive language. Repeat these statements to yourself over and over again. Do this every day, and before long you’ll strongly believe the words of the affirmation you’ve created for yourself.

* If a habit of thinking is holding you back, what’s stopping you from creating a new habit? Try this today and experience its power for yourself.

The negative thoughts of the critic inside of you serve a valuable purpose. Things aren’t always rosy, and it’s important to learn from your experiences so that you don’t make the same mistakes. However, you can begin to harness the power of positive thinking today. Apply these simple strategies to move closer to the joy and success you deserve.

photo credit: iAreef

Every moment of my day offers me the opportunity for something wonderful. How I choose to look at these moments makes a difference in how I feel. I choose to look at my life as meaningful, peaceful, and joyful.

Whether I am alone or surrounded by others, my life is full of treasured moments. Everyone I meet has the opportunity to join me in the joyous celebration of life! I see the value in all people, no matter who they are.

I bring beauty to my own life and to the lives of others. By savoring my life, I give thanks to the life force that creates and sustains me. Each day I look for things that bring me joy. Every day I find moments I can savor and appreciate.

No matter what is happening in my life, I know I am valuable and my life has meaning and purpose. Because I see the beauty in my life, I am able to accept what comes to me and appreciate all of it. I am brave and courageous, and I live each moment.

There is so much beauty in life, both in big events and small, quiet happenings. I see beauty everywhere I look and find joy, peace, and love. I attract it from others and radiate it back to the universe to come around again.

Today, I appreciate and make use of every moment I have been given.

Self-Reflection Questions:

photo credit: Alloyous

People are attracted to me because I am a strong and independent individual with a healthy self-esteem. When I am comfortable with the person I am, I allow others to feel at ease around me.

I have realistic expectations of my friends and myself. I accept others just the way they are, without judgment. In order to have meaningful friendships, I must first be a good friend myself. Then, in return, others respect me and accept me for who I am.

My positive attitude makes me a pleasure to be around. I guard my speech to ensure that it is free from judgment and negativity, and full of laughter. Time spent with me is refreshing and peaceful.

My friends talk to me about things of substance because they know I am trustworthy. I treat my relationships like a flower, nurturing them and giving them time to blossom.

I cultivate my friendships by seeking out my friends through phone calls and invitations to connect. Spending quality time together draws us closer and reaffirms our bonds.

I deserve to have meaningful relationships and enjoy the company of others. My friends and I need each other to share gifts and talents that are unique to each one of us. Meaningful relationships are a balance of give and take.

Today, I chose to strengthen my relationships by wrapping myself in positivity and practicing acceptance. I am confident in the person I am and I attract others by expressing my true heart.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I have realistic expectations of others and myself?
2. What can I do to seek out new friends or reconnect with old pals?
3. Who is one of my most meaningful friends?

My life is filled with everything good. Inside my heart there is an overabundance of positive emotions. When I think about my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all my blessings. True joy is the result of a grateful heart.

There are innumerable sources of joy in my life. My family and friends are the most precious gifts I have ever received. The unconditional love that I experience with them, especially in times of need, fill my heart with joy.

My joy is contagious and constant. I choose to rejoice in every circumstance. I am filled with joy because I focus on the good things and give thanks for my life.

The quality of my life matters; therefore I strive to live the best life I can. My goal is not merely to survive, but to live out the plan that has been set before me.

I practice healthy habits in order to enjoy good health. Good health improves my stamina and my ability to enjoy life. When I feel good physically, I feel good emotionally.

Everywhere I look, I see a new source of happiness. I pay attention to the little details that make life great.

Each day, I aim to share a deep laugh with someone. I allow myself to release my inhibitions, throw my head back, and laugh like a child. I surround myself with happy people in order to keep the feeling alive.

Today, I choose to look at life through appreciative eyes that focus on the small things that bring me joy, health, and happiness.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What are my sources of joy?
2. How do I take care of my body?
3. What am I grateful for today?

photo credit: Michael Brownlee

How you think about yourself makes a big difference in how you feel. You can avoid feeling down or upset if you know what to say to yourself and how to say it. Even during difficult times, you can find moments of joy and blessings to talk to yourself about.

No matter what you want to do in life, self-talk can help you accomplish your dreams, goals, and desires. Believing in yourself is a strong component of moving forward into the life you really want and deserve. Positive self-talk can bring you this belief and instill within you the confidence to succeed.

Discover the Beauty in Your Life

When you face serious challenges in your life, being unhappy and speaking negatively to yourself won’t change anything for the better. Instead, seek out joy in positive affirmations of your continued worth.

The problems you may be facing have absolutely nothing to do with your value as a human being. Remind yourself of your great value!

Positive self-talk is not about being unrealistic or lying to yourself. It’s about seeing the beauty and value in yourself and others. Each one of us has something we can give and we each have a purpose and a reason to be here.

Using Positive Self-Talk Each Day

How do you take advantage of positive self-talk? When it comes to talking to yourself, there are no specific rules. You can focus on anything about you or your surroundings that’s positive.

Avoid letting negative or upsetting thoughts creep in. Things might not be going your way at any particular moment, but there are better days ahead, and the fact that you’re alive is something to be positive about!

Here are some tips to help you get started using positive self-talk to bring about a joyful, fulfilled life:

1. Remember something others like about you. Recall a positive comment someone made about you in the past. Even if you don’t see the reason for the compliment, someone else obviously did. Use that to your advantage to remind yourself of your great qualities and talents.
2. What do you like about yourself? Start small, if you prefer. You don’t have to think or feel (or say) that you’re perfect, but pick one thing that you like about yourself, or that you can accept about yourself, and be pleased with that.
3. Speak out loud. Sure, you might feel a little silly at first. You don’t have to do it when anyone else is around, but say your affirmations aloud whenever you can. That way you hear the good things about you, too.
4. Set aside time to practice your positive self-talk. If you don’t put it into your schedule, it’s easy to forget about it or decide that you’ll get to it later. Make it a priority, so it becomes a part of your daily routine.

The Benefits of Positive Self-Talk

The benefits you’ll get from positive self-talk will depend on your commitment to it. If you practice it each day, it’ll become second nature to you. When others say negative things, it’ll be less likely to take root in your mind, since you’ll already be filled with positive information about your worth.

Regardless of what stage of life you’re in, there’s always room for more happiness. Even in the face of despair, there are opportunities for great joy and growth. Avoid missing out on those opportunities because you don’t see your worth as a person. Instead, you can expect the best because of your positive self-talk.

Positive self-talk can help you rise higher in your career, family life, spiritual life, and any other area that matters to you. Friends and family members will notice your new-found confidence, and so will your co-workers, boss, and others. You just may find that positive self-talk leads you to some amazing new opportunities!

photo credit: quinn.anya

Your outlook in life is so important, and yet many people never give it much thought. If you’re optimistic, you’ll open doors for yourself and lead a happy life. However, with a negative mindset, you could end up in places that you never intended to be. This isn’t some fairytale ideal; it’s absolutely true!

Being optimistic might seem like a large task, but there are simple things you can do to improve your outlook. If you practice each day, you’ll be doing yourself a great favor, since your mindset is the very foundation for achieving success and fulfillment.

Here are some easy techniques you can use to boost your optimism:

1. Avoid getting hung up on one thing. Sometimes you may feel like there’s one situation that’s holding you back. Maybe there’s just one thing that has seemingly ruined your day. Resolve to let it go so it doesn’t bother you anymore. After all, there’s a whole world out there just waiting for you to experience!
2. Remember that there’s always a silver lining. If you’re having a bad week, it’s not a reason to let negativity cloud your thinking. Seek the silver lining in every challenging situation. Remember that setbacks often occur right before you reach success.
3. Get over the past. Remember that the past is the past; it doesn’t need to keep repeating itself. In fact, if you keep recalling the past, you are the one taking it with you into your future. Learn how to let it go no matter how painful it might have been. The future can be filled with great things, but a great future can only start when you’ve come to terms with your past.
4. Be thankful. Make a list of all the things you’re thankful for in your life. Include even the smallest things, like the lucky penny you found on the street or the loving hug your partner gave you today. You’ll most likely end up with a long list that you can look to whenever you feel like you’re slipping into negativity.
5. Use positive affirmations. Nothing brings out optimism like the use of affirmations. These positive statements bring optimistic energy into your present. They are a way of communicating with your subconscious mind so you can maintain control over how you feel. Use them every day and every time you need a boost of positivity.
6. Surround yourself with positive people. Humans are social beings that can feel the energy of others. Have fun with positive and supportive friends and family members. Just being around positive people can lift you up when you’re feeling down.
7. Watch your language. Do you speak positively to yourself and others, or are you judgmental and negative? Try to shift over to only positive speech. Practice using upbeat words while you focus on the positive in every situation.
8. Remember that even a positive life has ups and downs. Life won’t always be perfect, but there are many ways you can still make the best of it. Accept the fact that bad things will happen from time to time, but avoid dwelling on these things. You’ll bounce back if you remain open to optimism.

In the end, you’ll find that simple things can boost your optimism. You don’t need to wait for some grand opportunity; just open your eyes to the beauty of the world around you and you’ll see wonderful things!

I share my money with those who inspire me and those who need it more than I. I give generously with no thought of a “return on my investment.” I give simply for the joy of giving.

I share the fruits of my talents with others. When I learn how to build something, I build them for others as well as myself. It is the same way with any craft or skill I develop – I share what I can do with others and we all benefit.

I share my knowledge of the world around me with those it can help. I give advice and mentor others freely so that they, too, can prosper and live a fulfilled life.

I give unlimited love, support and encouragement to those whose lives cross with my own. My time is valuable not only to me, but also to those I share it with.

In many ways, each and every day, I strive to bring joy to others. Some of my actions may seem trivial, but they can brighten someone’s day. For instance, when I make eye contact with a stranger on the street and give them a warm smile, it may be the only warmth they receive that day.

I know that I can make a joyful difference in the lives of others.

Today, I plan to focus on others and do what I can to bring a ray of sunshine into their lives.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I share my money with those who need a helping hand?
2. When was the last time I went out of my way to help someone?
3. How can I spread joy in my conversations?

Affirmations help us to keep a positive attitude about life. It’s only natural that we’ll get more out of these positive sayings if we formulate them ourselves. Writing our own affirmations makes them personal to us, which can then help us to get through our own individual situations.

When you start writing your own affirmations, keep these tips in mind:

1.  Make them personal. When you write affirmations, it’s important to remember to use “I” in them. They are personal to you after all.

• Example: “I am having an exceptional day today!”

2.  Use the present tense. Affirmations are built in order to change our feelings now, which is why you want to stay positive and strong in this moment. When you use the past tense, you get nostalgic. When you use the future tense, you get hopeful. The present tense helps you feel the difference right now.

• Example: “I am feeling relaxed.”

3. Be down to earth. This just means to use your own style and try not to make your affirmations too formal or wishy-washy. You want to capture your own voice.

• Bad Example: “Presently I feel the urge to enjoy my existence.”
• Good Example: “I enjoy my life.”

4. Be short. Affirmations are meant to be short, simple and sweet. Stay on target and make your affirmation a one-liner. If it’s too wordy, try breaking it up into a few affirmations. The trick is to stick with one simple idea at a time.

• Example: “I am in perfect health.”

5. Make it positive. Affirmations are positive statements, so avoid negative words like “not.” You’re using affirmations to make a life improvement and positive statements motivate you to make this improvement.

• Example: “I am at peace with my mind.”

6. Make it believable. You don’t want your affirmation to sound like something out of this world. If it’s not believable, you won’t take it seriously and your subconscious will just dismiss it.

• Example: “I am choosing to be happy today.”

Believe in the Power of Affirmations

When you say your affirmations, believe them to be true. Affirmations are truly powerful sets of words as long as you believe what you’re telling yourself.

Affirmations alone have been known to help people cure addictions. Women even use them during childbirth to help them stay calm and collected during natural delivery.

First, set your eyes on your goal and then write your affirmations to get yourself there.

Write Them Down

Practice always makes perfect. Write down the affirmations you’re feeling. Then go over the list above and make sure that your affirmations follow the rules. Once they do, start using your affirmations and feel the difference. Say your affirmations to yourself daily. Take deep breaths and keep your eyes on your goal.

Also if need be, tweak your affirmations. These positive sayings aren’t written in stone, so as you change, your affirmations can change, too.

It’s best to keep your affirmations in a place where you can see them. You can simply keep a list in your pocket or you can post them around the house. Paste them on the bathroom mirror, on your computer, or wherever you know you’ll see them each day.

Affirmations can make all the difference in reaching your goals. Give them a try and enjoy the benefits these positive statements can make in your life.

When I awake in the morning, I give thanks for the new day. The good feelings I generate start my day in a perfect way, and I find that one good thing leads to another. This positive boost helps me fly through my daily tasks with energy and momentum.

I thank my spouse for the things he does for me. This makes him feel loved and appreciated and he goes out of his way to do even more good things for me. It’s a never-ending cycle of love!

I find things to thank my children for every day. When they do a good job on anything, I thank them for their effort, motivating them to continue. My happiness is even greater when I see them, too, discovering the joys of gratitude and telling others, “Thank you.”

As my day goes on, I thank my co-workers for their efforts and my clients for their business. In return, I receive their loyalty and friendship.

I thank my friends for being there for me. They’re always there to lend a helping hand and cheer me on.

I realize that even the challenges of my day arise for good reason and I’m grateful for the lessons I learn from these obstacles. Invariably, my challenges bring me closer to my goals, in one way or another, as I seek solutions.

Today, I strive to feel gratitude, enjoy it, and let it show in how I treat others.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I let myself feel and enjoy gratitude and its benefits?
2. How has showing someone my gratitude brought me something good in return?
3. How can I show my gratitude more often?

Each morning, as the dawn brings me a new day, I look forward with excitement to living with purpose. Each day brings me new opportunities. It’s like I get a fresh start on life every morning, and I love this feeling!

I make no pre-suppositions about what the day will bring. If it brings challenges, I know I have the confidence to find solutions to overcome them. If it brings pleasant things, I can enjoy them and be grateful for their presence.

Living my life one day at a time also gets me through the hard times in my life. If it’s a particularly difficult day, I remind myself that, “This, too, shall pass,” and I know that it is only one step – one day – in my life’s journey.

I make the best of every day, for I know that I will not have this opportunity again. When I make a conscious effort to take advantage of everything each day brings, I find that there are more and more great days after that!

Making a habit of taking life one day at a time reduces my stress, makes my life more exciting, and brings me more joy than anything else I could do.

Today, I choose to let the past stay in the past, let the future bring what it may, and immerse myself in this present day.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I live my life one day at a time?
2. How much time do I waste each day worrying about the past or the future?
3. Do I wake up each morning with excitement about the new day?