TRULY, HAPPINESS IS NOT WHAT WE ARE GIVEN. IT’S WHAT WE CHOOSE TO RECEIVE. THIS IS WHY AN ATTITUDE OF POSITIVITY IS SO IMPORTANT.
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough,” explained Oprah Winfrey.
We are inundated with reasons to become a positive thinker. A positive mindset can strengthen our relationships, help us to overcome obstacles, and even lead to success in the workplace.
THE QUESTION REMAINS THOUGH – HOW DO WE ACHIEVE IT?
Here are four simple exercises designed to promote positivity:
1. ADOPT A PASSION PROJECT.
Passion is the internal fire that propels us to engage constructively with our world. While finding passion in the context of our employment is certainly ideal, it is not a financially realistic option for many of us. For this reason, it is wise to pursue a project outside of work that uses your personal strengths to work toward a goal you are emotionally invested in. You may choose to volunteer at an animal shelter, paint a mural, start a small business, or coach a children’s sports team. Do what invigorates you, and bring that passion to other parts of your life.
2. CONSCIOUSLY RE-FRAME YOUR THOUGHTS.
Positivity does not happen organically at first. Most of us are conditioned to focus on the negative. For this reason, we need to be intentional when it comes to positive thought. First, identify a negative thought. Then, re-frame it in a way that is empowering. Don’t lie to yourself. It still must feel true to you. Instead, become a spin artist. “I’m not smart enough to solve this problem” can easily become “I’ll have to work really hard to conquer this,” or even “I can strengthen my support network by asking them for help dealing with that issue.” With practice, this positive spin will become second nature.
3. KEEP MOVING.
Don’t allow yourself to become sedentary for too long. If you are feeling sluggish, take baby steps. Make some coffee. Get dressed. Cook breakfast. Pay a bill. Drive to the store. It doesn’t really matter what you do – just remain in forward motion. You are sure to gain momentum, and in the end you will be amazed at what all of your tiny steps have managed to accomplish. Idleness breeds depression, low self-esteem, and, ultimately, negativity. By contrast, staying engaged in activity quiets the mind and awakens the spirit. There’s something about a busy day that puts the soul at ease. In the evening, enjoy a well-earned rest and revel in the feeling of satisfaction that comes with effort well spent.
4. KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL.
Even on our worst days, we have a tremendous number of things to be thankful for. Today, for example, the sun is shining. My body is healthy. Satire exists. We have fresh pineapple in the refrigerator. My home is safe and warm. It’s amazing to consider the wondrous things we miss simply by not paying attention. Starting a gratitude journal can bring these to the surface of our consciousness. Each morning, write down five things you are thankful for. Before you go to bed, add five more. For each negative thought you encounter during the day, respond with three additional doses of gratitude. No repeats are allowed. They aren’t needed, because your opportunities for gratitude are infinite!
“People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear, and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action,” wrote Steve Maraboli. Be mindful of how you choose to fuel your body and soul. It truly sets the tone for your entire life.
Source: Unified Soul Theory