Steps To A More Positive You

It seems safe to say that stress is a huge problem in our society and that most are not handling it very well. The easy route...is to permit the problem to continue! I believe and know there is an “escape method” for a road to improvement…if people would exercise it.

Aim to Take Control of the Things You CAN Control!

These include...the way you think...the way you behave...the life choices you make! If you manage these issues better, you'll have much more energy and resilience to deal with the larger external forces that affect everyone.

“Our attitude has a profound effect on the quality of our life.” writes Jonathan. “By taking a few simple steps to adopt a more positive attitude, you can enjoy both the immediate and long term benefits.”

“Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude to us”

(Earl Nightingale)

“Increased happiness is one of the immediate positive effects of a more optimistic attitude.  The fact is, optimistic people tend to experience much greater personal joy on a day-to-day basis than their pessimistic counterparts.

“The prospect of a longer healthier life is also a scientifically proven benefit of living with a positive attitude.In contrast, a negative, pessimistic mindset has been shown to contribute to scores of health challenges including immune disorders, cancer and heart problems.  All other factors being equal, a happier life...means a healthier life!

Think Gratitude:  A grateful mindset exerts a powerful influence on youroutlook.  Not only does it make you feel good in the moment, it also shifts your focus in a positive direction.  Turn your attention toward your blessings and keep it there.  As you focus more on what you are grateful for in your life (even the really small blessings), you will worry less about anything that may be lacking. As a result, you will experience a deeper sense of happiness.

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,

but the portent of all others. (Cicero)

Choose Happiness:  Being happy is not about circumstances or any other outside force.  Happiness is a decision we make.  Why not make up your mind to embrace happiness starting now?  Go ahead and make a decision.  Let  your personal identity get all wrapped up in the concept of happiness.  Fold it aroundyourself like a big comfortable blanket.

The greatest part of our happiness

depends on our dispositions, not circumstances.

(Martha Washington)

Substitute Challenges  for Problems:  Subconsciously, the word problem says, 'Life is not as it should be.'  This causes our energy to be funneled toward repairing something that's gone wrong.  On the other hand, the word challenge sends no such message.  Instead of trying to repair  a malfunction,our resources are recruited to search for a new opportunity.  Seeing an experience as a challenge will focus our attention on a positive outcome.

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.

The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

(Winston Churchill)

View Life as a Journey:  A journey is an adventure of discovery.  When we are on a journey we don't fear change, we welcome it.  We look forward to new and unfamiliar experiences.  On a journey we are full of optimism because we are filled with the expectations of a wonderful adventure.  This is the perfect attitude to carry with you every day.

Stop and Smell the Roses:  When you constantly feel rushed and scattered, it can be difficult to maintain an optimistic outlook.  Buying out regular opportunities to focus on simple pleasures can help restore a sense of balance to your life.  By pausing briefly to really taste your food or enjoy a beautiful piece of music, you remind yourself of the joy of simplicity.

It is always wise to stop wishing for things long enough

to enjoy the fragrance of those now flowering.

(Patricia Gifford)

Begin Your Day On a Positive Note:  Find a few minutes each morning to clear your mind and then think positive thoughts about the upcoming day. Focus on the people and events that bring you joy or a sense of satisfaction. What's  your favourite part of the day going to be?  Take some time to look forward toeverything that  you will enjoy.  Now carry that feeling with you all day long, even during the less enjoyable activities.  Let your optimism flow into your entire day.

Be Positively Aware:  Make it a habit to actively search for the positive side of everything.  Turn it into a private game.  With practice, you will be surprised how easy it becomes to see the not so obvious benefits and pleasures all around you.  Being alert to the reasons for optimism also helps move our attention away from the negative side of life.

When you change the way you look at things,

the things you look at change.  (Max Planck)

Act Out Happy:  You can use words and body language to program your nervous system.  When you make a conscious effort to 'walk the walk and talk the talk', your feelings will soon follow.  Our personal perspective  takes a lot of clues from how we act.  If you act like a happy optimistic person, your mind accepts that as your reality.  Try it and see for yourself.

Hang Out With Positive People:  Use the power of peer influence  to feed your sense of optimism.  The attitude of the people around us can be a powerful force for good or bad.  Seek out the company of those with a sunny disposition and let  yourself be influenced by their optimism.  Use the group dynamic to your benefit.

Do A Gratitude Review Nightly:  This is a great way to end  your day.  Before you go to bed, think of at least ten things that you are truly grateful for.  Let yourself feel the joy that those things bring to your life.  Fall asleep reflecting on your blessings.

Reflect each day on all you have to be grateful for

and you will receive more to be grateful for.

(Chuck Danes)

Minimize Exposure to Negative Influences:  Stop watching, reading  or listening to the news.  If you can free yourself from this negative influence, it will change your life.  Without that pervasive daily dose of despair, you will find it so much easier to focus on positive things in life.

30 Days to a More Positive You: 

Print out this list and read it daily. It will help you stay on track. 

If you catch yourself sliding into a pessimistic head space,

stop...and review your list. 

All you need  to do is stay on course for 30 days

and these things will become part of your nature.

Words of Wisdom

A man is but the product of his thoughts.

What he thinks...he becomes.

(Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1948)

Merle Baird-Kerr … written February 12, 2013

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