Thinking Positively Gets you There

Someone defined 'positive thinking' as a mental attitude. An attitude that admits into the mind images, thoughts and/or words that encourage a positive worldview, that propels one towards the achievement of goals and success; it is, in sum; a 'never say die attitude'; and the ability to see the good part of every situation. Sure, that’s a lot of words to define one concept, but the fact is, it is well worth.

Optimism or positive thinking is one major trait that differentiates happy and successful people from timid, fearful and depressed failures. There would always be challenges in life, but the ability see through them and think positively determines ones success in life. A lot has been said and read about positive thinking, but am sure the topic is never oversaturated.

The following story I got from somewhere illustrates the power of positive thinking:

Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.

His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.

During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.

Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.

In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.

He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.

What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious. All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive persons and shun negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive. They dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.

Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.


Words For Today
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday
regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past...
We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have,
and that is our attitude.
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me
and 90% of how I react to it.
And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.
Chales R. Swindol

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Paths to Happiness [3]

Good Relationship
As far fetched as it seems, maintaining good relationship with people close to you could indeed bring lasting happiness. Much of the depression and pessimism that is prevalent today could be attributed to the growth of individualism in the world. Everybody has become an island that wants to survive on its own. Our fathers didn't live their lives this way.

There is a lot to be gained from building and maintaining loving relationships with people close to you. When you are in love, there is always a listening ear when you need to be heard and a shoulder to lean on, when you are in tears. More importantly, there is someone to share your happiness, aspirations and ambitions with. Extroverts are always happy because they mix with people, make friends and build relationships easily. They like themselves, like people around them and are confident that they will be liked too. As a result, they are always likeable. Why? Because they go out of their way to make friends and build relationships.

We can't all be extroverts, but in your own way, reach out to the people around you. Make new friends and make sure that old friends count. Be concerned about others and you'll be liked in exchange. As small it as it seems, a single smile from someone you care about might be enough to wipe out your worries.

You won't find lasting happiness if your problems and failures, your visions, ambitions and successes all remain within you. There is a lot of joy in sharing, especially those intimate feelings of the heart. Go make some new friends today and start building your own network of happy people.

Words for Today

Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
At all the times you can
To all the people you can
As long as you ever can
John Wesley

Our lives are a reflection of our habits
More than our education
Anonymous

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The Power in You

Napoleon Hill was damn right when he titled one of his best books 'Think and Grow Rich'. 'Thinking' the right 'thoughts' can indeed propel you onto wealth and fullness of life, if properly harnessed. But the right 'thoughts' won't bring you wealth alone; your entire life - finances, career, relationship and all, would do a lot better with positive and creative thinking. Your mind is the real power in you.

'Winners don't quit' is a popular maxim often thrown around, have you ever stopped to ponder the meaning of this statement? It means that only those who truly and practically believe in their dreams and in their ability to actualize these dreams, not minding the harshness of reality, would enjoy lasting success.

In most cases, 'quitters', are people who fail to harness their real power; people who cannot crystallize the beauty of their dreams in their minds, people who lack, or fail to develop the ability to believe in themselves and trust in their strengths. In short, people fail because they expect to fail. Search deep within you, you would realize that each time you failed at something, you were truly expecting failure; you were using the power in you against yourself. I don't know of a better definition for failure.

Some people would argue that realities sometimes defy optimism; that there are times you just can 'go on'. I would say reality exist on various planes, the only constant factor in life is your perception of, and attitudes towards life.

If for you, everything is bad, poor, gloomy and always end in failure; you would always see the 'bad' side of things as 'real' and failure at everything you set your hands on. But if you chose to live on a higher plane, if you believe there is good in everything, if you can hold a positive attitude no matter what life serve you, then you'll always find success, happiness and fulfillment with everything you do.

Funny enough, a pessimistic attitude creates its own false realities. With the wrong attitude, one challenging day is like a year of hardship. When you allow your mind to dwell on the problems before you, instead of finding a solution, the problems become larger than life and finding a way out appears to be impossible.

But with the right attitude, challenges are less intimidating, the mind can think clearly and it becomes easier to plan and execute a way out of the problem. The power in you is strong and effective, it can work for or against you; it's your choice!

The only time we fail in life is when we truly and fully believe we have failed.


Words for Today
Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success.
Brian Adams

To die is nothing; but it is terrible not to live.
Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

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