Positive Thinking

[babuji]

In terms of positive thinking... what I've noticed is that our first instinct is to view positive thinking as an easy process to implement in our lives.. however, in the process of actually trying to do it.. it's frustrating to be consistent at it... I struggle with this and I'm sure many of you do as well..

The problem is that it's too easy to fall into the trap of pointing out our faults, blaming ourselves and repeating this cycle day in and day out...

I'm determined to get to a point where I embody positive thinking.. and I'm sure it'll have a profound effect on me...

What are some methods, techniques you have used to accomplish this?

I thought this would be interesting and empowering.. to keep this a positive thread.. why not list 5 things that are great about you... here's mine:

1) I have a profound level of patience
2) I am great at entertaining young children
3) A deep desire and willingness to help others
4) Open to new ideas / patterns of thinking
5) Practices before I preach..

[Zulu]

Cool.

1) I live in a great place with great people around me
2) I enjoy helping others
3) I'm openminded
4) I'm happy and enthusiastic
5) I love to learn

[Fusebox]

5) Practices before I preach..

Love that one!

[IBelieveInGod]

One method I use to stay thinking positively is speaking things into my life (self prophecying)
Joel Osteen preaches on this and it does work.

1. I'm open minded
2. I try to see the good, positive things in people
3. I'm reasonable
4. I'm friendly
5. I like to help others

[Paul C]

May positive thinking embody you babuji!

I would also like to reach such a state.

1)I am open-minded
2)I have a love of learning.
3)I am imaginative.
4)I treat others with respect.
5)I help others to learn, when asked to.

[Cathy]

I'm going to twist this a bit. I find it is easiest for me to stay positive when I focus on the good in my life. Sure I have good traits and could rattle some off, but truly, what makes me feel great is my ability to love what I have. Here are 5.

1) I love my spouse. He is my rock & anchor.
2) I find my job challenging and rewarding.
3) My health is great and I feel so very fortunate that my body does what I ask, when I ask.
4) I was born in a place and time where women were blessed with more opportunities than obstacles.
5) Almost daily I have opportunities for growth and improvement.

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Cathy

I'm going to twist this a bit. I find it is easiest for me to stay positive when I focus on the good in my life. Sure I have good traits and could rattle some off, but truly, what makes me feel great is my ability to love what I have.

Cathy, you've just named six things that are great about you.

[Alarin]

What are some methods, techniques you have used to accomplish this?

I went through this same transition a number of years ago and yes it's very beneficial What I did was:

- Remove negative influences and people from my life (especially the news)

- Practiced living in gratitude, "counting my blessing" every single day and being grateful for the tiniest things like a good cup of tea or clean drinking water. We are so priveledged in the western world compared to 3rd-world countries, there's a heap to be grateful for just there.

- Put things around me to remind me to think positive all the time, like post-it notes and printouts stuck to my computer (I still do this). It also helps if you write up what's positive about your life / what you're grateful for and use this as a bookmark or put it somewhere where you can read it every day.

- Realising that good could come from any situation and being grateful for that, eg - when I was sick and stuck home in bed I could be grateful for a chance to learn patience, when my work was particularly stressful I could be grateful for a practical chance to implement stress-management techniques, etc.

Most importantly, practice practice practice. Like any skill learning to think positive all the time takes dilligence and a good amount of time to become an automatic habit, it took me at least 12 months to establish a permanent state of positive thinking but it is definately worth doing. I hope that helps

[Fusebox]

Originally Posted by Alarin

I went through this same transition a number of years ago and yes it's very beneficial What I did was:

- Remove negative influences and people from my life (especially the news)

- Practiced living in gratitude, "counting my blessing" every single day and being grateful for the tiniest things like a good cup of tea or clean drinking water. We are so priveledged in the western world compared to 3rd-world countries, there's a heap to be grateful for just there.

- Put things around me to remind me to think positive all the time, like post-it notes and printouts stuck to my computer (I still do this). It also helps if you write up what's positive about your life / what you're grateful for and use this as a bookmark or put it somewhere where you can read it every day.

- Realising that good could come from any situation and being grateful for that, eg - when I was sick and stuck home in bed I could be grateful for a chance to learn patience, when my work was particularly stressful I could be grateful for a practical chance to implement stress-management techniques, etc.

Most importantly, practice practice practice. Like any skill learning to think positive all the time takes dilligence and a good amount of time to become an automatic habit, it took me at least 12 months to establish a permanent state of positive thinking but it is definately worth doing. I hope that helps

Wow, 12 months sure is a long time....

[Alarin]

Wow, 12 months sure is a long time....

It is but that was to establish a permanent state of positive thinking and gratitude; in terms of seeing results from my attitude change that happened within a few weeks but it took 12 months for it to go from a habit (something I do) to a personality change (something I am) if that makes sense

[Andrew Brunelle]

I think positive thinking is important, especially if you are looking to improve your life. If you eliminate negative thoughts and adopt an empowering beliefs program, you'll be more likely to be able to make a positive impact on the world. Otherwise, you'll end up like Linda Evans......

[Ishtar]

1. I can summon immense energy reserves when I really need it.
2. I am very good at protecting my time from external trivia.
3. I am very ambitious.
4. When I want to, I can be dangerously passionate about things.
5. I have a great hunger for life.
6. I have a very personal relationship with my God, one more passionate and intimate than all my human relationships.

[Liara Covert]

Raising awarness or deepening consciousness can also be seen as a way to move beyond simply positive thinking at the expense of all else.

To recognize what is required for completeness is to understand positive and negative combine and dissolve in a pure sense of balance.

[jonarmis]

Originally Posted by babuji

In terms of positive thinking... what I've noticed is that our first instinct is to view positive thinking as an easy process to implement in our lives.. however, in the process of actually trying to do it.. it's frustrating to be consistent at it... I struggle with this and I'm sure many of you do as well..

The problem is that it's too easy to fall into the trap of pointing out our faults, blaming ourselves and repeating this cycle day in and day out...

I'm determined to get to a point where I embody positive thinking.. and I'm sure it'll have a profound effect on me...

What are some methods, techniques you have used to accomplish this?

I thought this would be interesting and empowering.. to keep this a positive thread.. why not list 5 things that are great about you... here's mine:

1) I have a profound level of patience
2) I am great at entertaining young children
3) A deep desire and willingness to help others
4) Open to new ideas / patterns of thinking
5) Practices before I preach..

I agree with you. We all need daily affirmations and inspirations to motivate us and keep the optimistic vibe intact.

I remember one good activity we had in class way back in high school when our teacher had each of us sit on a chair in front of the whole class and our classmates will write a positive traits about each of us on a journal we respectively own. The teacher had us keep the journal and advised we browse through it when we are feeling down and trodden.

Thinking to yourself that you deserve better and that you know who you are and what effect you have with other people makes the day and keeps a smile plastered all through out.

[babuji]

- Put things around me to remind me to think positive all the time, like post-it notes and printouts stuck to my computer (I still do this). It also helps if you write up what's positive about your life / what you're grateful for and use this as a bookmark or put it somewhere where you can read it every day.

Has anyone consistently implemented this in their life? If so, how much of an impact has it had on you?

I always tell myself to make big posters and put them up around my room with inspirational content. Though I've never gotten around to it... (something to do for tomorrow). Nevertheless, I think that simply having positive material around you can only drive you in the forward direction.

[Craiz8]

To accept that one is in need of positive thinking, one accepts that they are in negative thinking. To believe in the negative is anti-self (against oneself), for oneself is ones universe. We are only what we perceive. You are what you believe. Again, to believe that you are negative then you are...

It is not a matter of believing that makes the devoted. It is knowing.

GOD did say "I am that I am." and he created us in his image.

1. I know that I am here for a reason. (I AM that I AM)
2. I know that I am here to learn. (from those willing to teach)
3. I know I am here to teach. (to those willing to learn)
4. I know I know nothing. (compared to the collective and uncollected)
5. I know I can learn anything. (from those who are especially those who are not)

[ilovetoday]

1) I have great job I enjoy going to with a boss that does care
2) I am surrounded by my family and friends who are awesome people
3) I know where I am going
4) I am blessed with easy to pick up ability
5) I am grateful and I accept that I am beautiful

I love life and life loves me

[Evan]

Embrace and love the judge who makes all those negative judgements and criticisms. You will most likely find a core concern of care and something positive. That way you don't end up being negative about being negative (and feeling negative about it) but going more deeply into the positive.

[tiny]

Originally Posted by babuji

Has anyone consistently implemented this in their life? If so, how much of an impact has it had on you?

I always tell myself to make big posters and put them up around my room with inspirational content. Though I've never gotten around to it... (something to do for tomorrow). Nevertheless, I think that simply having positive material around you can only drive you in the forward direction.

do you tell yourself to make visionboards or are you making visionboards? its a big difference. just try it for once and see what happens. i usually do it from time to time. it works like a visual reminder in a very positive way, giving you a little push to follow your dreams...
how is positive all the time? probably nobody. doesn't matter as long as you pull yourself in a positive direction when you notice something is off...