Lately , I have been going through some stuffs and like some people, I wallowed in the murky mud of thoughts. But the universe seems to have a different opinion  about my state, at my murkiest depths, I stumbled on not one but two books that not just arrested all thoughts of wallowing but also  filled my mind  with the possibility of another state of mind, a positive one. Yeah , I used to hate all the everything is fine rah rah type of people too; too OTT, too over the top , must be faking it. No one can muster that much energy and positive feelings, greeting you even in email in capital letters, “I AM FEELING GREAT”, get outta here right?

But I have been to enough courses and read some to  know that it is possible to train one self to be positive all the time. In fact, if there is  a trendy thought today, positive thinking is probably it. There is  enough evidence about the impact of  positive thoughts versus negative thoughts and how negative thoughts never allows one to attain one’s wishes ;on top of which it also is the course of ill health  and a certain powerlessness in your life .

So what are negative thoughts? Surprise , surprise, even a simple negating thought like ” too good to be true”, can have tremendous negative impact in your life. Thoughts like- “I am not good enough”; ” I can’t do it”; ” people are not sincere”;”people are to demanding”; “they are not fair” and I am  sure you can fill in the blanks here. And the feeling whenever you have such a thought is always bad or angry.

Positive thoughts are empowering thoughts, thoughts that allows you to call and recognise  a difficult moment as a passing challenge that you will need to overcome but overcome it you will. It is in fact measurable and constructive on your life , health , energy and creativity according to best selling author, Brian Tracy in his book  “Change Your Thinking , Change Your Life”.

So what does the trend in thought say? Good news ,  apparently  it is possible to change your thoughts.  Yes, fake it till you make it…heard of it? It is true.This is in line with the Law of Substitution , which says that your mind is quite simple it can only think one thought at a time. So, choose wisely. But how do you do that?

Every time a negative thought comes in, and you will recognize it, because it just makes you  feel crappy.  Consciously think otherwise, by instructing your mind “STOP”. Think instead something positive-you can say it out loud, write it down or just be conscious about your thoughts. This is one thing that gets easier with practice because it is the Law of Habit.

Let go of your negative emotions today, allow the Law of Emotion to take over which says that ” a stronger emotion will dominate and override a weaker emotion”, so choose which should be your stronger emotion.

So how to let go of negative emotions, which according to philosopher Peter Ouspensky is caused by :

1) Justification

a) Stop justifying

b) Stop making excuses for others

c) Stop living in the past and worrying about the future, enjoy the moment instead.

d) Let it go

2) Identification

a) Don’t take anything personally- separate your emotion from the situation

3) Inward considering

a) Opinion of others-don’t be overly concerned with the way people are treating you . Don’t take anything personally, and recognize that your self esteem needs to be work on  whenever you feel insulted  or angry or depressed and wants to strike back.

b) Set your own sails- choose who you want to respect you and work towards getting that respect

c) Set high standards- choose a higher role model

4) Blame

a) Recognize that no one is guilty, things happen , so make the most of the situation and move on.

b) Accept responsibility- which may to some sounds quite unfair. But by  saying

” I am responsible”  you take back the power to change perhaps not the situation but your reaction to the situation.

c) Accept differences in results – everyone gets a different result, not because they are born luckier or better. Remember that everyone can change their own results.

So learn the path to forgiveness.  Accept responsibility,  say to yourself  “I am responsible,  I got  into that situation. I need not have done what I did and I forgive him or her”.  Learn to clean the slate and set yourself free , take control of your emotions. You will see the good things roll in.

One of the two best ways to get what you want is to be grateful for every little thing you have and to have a certitude about what you want and work towards it!

I have decided to be positive this minute…what about you ?

References: Brian Tracy,”Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life”, 2003

Picture References:http://www.flickr.com/photos/hylah/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/alltheaces/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/onesevenone/

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