The Benefits of Positivity
If what Stephen Richards says is true, “You are essentially who you create yourself to be and all that occurs in your life is the result of your own making,” then having a positive outlook on life plays a critical role in our destiny. And yet, with everyday challenges and difficulties, thinking positive may not always be easy.
While this is true, maintaining a positive attitude can help you cope with the ups and downs of life.
Relationships, debt, work, school, health – sometimes these things can be exasperating.
But a positive attitude can help you side-step doubt, worry, fear, and negativity.
And like anything, you may have to practice positive thinking. Think of it as exercising your body, learning a new skill, or developing a new habit. It will take time, patience, and consistency.
In order to do this, you have to be willing to observe your thoughts. Let your mind rest and return to a state of neutrality. Now, look within. Are you being thinking positively or did a string of negative thoughts just play like a movie in your imagination?
Once you’ve noticed yourself going to the dark side, think of something positive. It could be anything – your home, your job, your family, or your pets. Consider your stage of life and the journey that you have taken to get to this very spot.
When you catch yourself returning to old mental habits, do something about it. Here are some helpful tips:
- Counteract a negative thought with four positive thoughts. Write them down and keep them in an obvious location for future reference.
- Smile. This will hit the button on the “pleasure center” of your brain.
- Hit reset. Give yourself a moment to regroup and do something fun like exercise or volunteer. Soon, you’ll be radiating positivity.
Once you’ve established your positive thinking habit, it will bring about positive changes in your life, including a happier disposition and added success.
Having a positive attitude can bring out the following characteristics in your life:
- Inspiration
- Happiness
- Self-confidence and self-esteem
- Fortitude
- Creativity
- Increased energy
- Patience
- Inner peace
- Thankfulness
- Problem-solving
- Constructive thinking
- Optimism
- Motivation
Looking at the bright side of life not only affects you but the people around you. Your whole environment will change and your positive attitude will become contagious. People will want to be with you more often, and you, too, will like yourself much more. The respect will flow easily between you, creating a welcoming environment for others to join in the fun. You will be inspiring to others, catapulting over difficulties along the way. Life will smile at you.
Why not start thinking positive today, at this moment? Even if you’ve tried in the past, maybe it’s time to try again. It’s all a matter of choice. Choose to be positive, to be happy, and to have faith in yourself.
One way to help enforce your new positive thinking habit is to divorce yourself from negativity and surround yourself with positive people, inspiring quotes and stories, games, music, and affirmations that will keep you moving in the right direction.
Visualize yourself as being a positive person spreading nothing but positivity.
