Many writers, researchers and philosophers have written about how thoughts shape our life. For example, John Maxwell wrote “You are where you are and what you are because of the dominating thoughts that occupy your mind.” Our thoughts create our attitude towards everything: our spouse, our family, our friends, our job, people and everything else. In this post I will discuss the need for a positive attitude and I will suggest ways for you to adopt so you may stay positive. I urge you to stay positive so that you will enjoy life and be happy.
What Is Attitude?
Our attitude is the way we look at the world, other people, situations and things. It is an internal feeling expressed by external behaviour. The important feature about attitude is that we can choose our attitude. We decide if we wish to have a positive or a negative attitude.
You Cope With Challenges
If you have a positive attitude, you will find that you are able to cope with challenges that come before you. You will feel good within yourself and you will influence everyone positively. A positive attitude brings positive results.
Improves Health
Research has revealed that positive thinking encourages the body to produce endorphins which strengthen the immune system. This, in turn, results in better health and well-being. With a positive attitude, one develops inner strength, energy and happiness.
Christopher Reeve, the actor who played the character, Superman is an example of how a positive attitude can contribute to an improved physical state. In 1995 he was paralysed in a horseback riding accident but he lived for nine years after the accident. It is believed that his positive attitude extended his life and enabled him to continue to work for others. In spite of the discomfort, pain and stress that he had to endure, he set up a foundation for disabled people, in particular, paraplegics, and he campaigned to raise awareness of their cause and to raise funds to help them.
Affects Relationships, Confidence and Problem-Solving
People with a positive attitude experience better relationships and they work better with others. They have a sense of confidence in what they do and who they are as people. They search for ideas, answers and solutions to problems. They do not allow problems to overwhelm them.
I knew someone who was financially very well to do and, as she was a divorced person with no children, had the opportunity to travel, meet people, attend classes and just enjoy her life. Instead of being positive and taking steps to change her life, this woman became more and more negative and slowly withdrew herself from society. She found it difficult to get out of bed in the morning and viewed life as just one long day of stress and grind! She did not want to travel and she was not interested in enjoying her life.
We can change our lives and we can be happy if we adopt a positive attitude to life. We must make the changes and we must recognize that we are responsible for our own happiness. As someone once said, “Each of us is a sculptor with the power and ability to shape our own life.”
Accept Opportunities And Persevere
When you are positive you look at challenges with an open mind. You can also see opportunities in many situations. Being positive helps us to cope with failure and mistakes. Positive people look for the rainbow after the storm. With a positive attitude you will be able to persevere with projects and experiments and you will not give up. Your level of creativity increases. A good example is Thomas Edison who kept experimenting with the light bulb. He said, “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Start The Day Positive
Take each day as it comes along, live it and enjoy yourselves. Each morning when you wake up tell yourself that “today is a new day which will bring me much joy and success.” Norman Vincent Peale, one of the foremost writers on Positive Thinking said, “The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.”
Be With Positive People
Be with people you like. Be with positive people. I stay away from what I call “toxic people.” These are the ones who make me feel small, who are critical and who are just not friendly. They are the ones who will tell you, “You Can’t”. They engage in negative conversations, backbiting, complaining and they speak ill of others. The news they give you is always doom and gloom. Toxic people are negative people. If you surround yourself with negative people their negativity will influence you too. Dexter Yager said, “To be a winner, you must associate with winners.” The people you associate with will directly affect how you feel. It is essential then to keep in touch with the positive people you know.
Use Positive Statements
When you speak use positive expressions. Do not gripe and groan all the time. Do not complain. Do not envy others. Always see the best side of people. Compliment them on their achievements and for their work or appearance. I make it a habit to send cards to people to congratulate them on an award or achievement they have made.
Be Kind
It is also good to perform an act of kindness every day. When you make someone feel good, you will feel better. Your act of kindness could be just a small, simple act, like speaking to an aunt on the phone. Each of us has the ability to help others. We should remind ourselves that we can make a difference to others and to this world.
Change Your Attitude
It is not difficult to be positive. Start by demolishing the negative thoughts that invade your mind. Replace them with positive thoughts and your life will be happier. Your life will be more enriched and fulfilled as you practise positive thinking. Be responsible for creating positive experiences for yourself. Your happiness and your life depends on your attitude.