Think it Positive
56When I was young, I always looked on the bright side and saw the good in life - Positive Thinking. But certain events over the years made me forget how and my thoughts became pessimistic and depressive - Negative Thinking.
After alot of advise from friends and therapists, a light bulb flashed and I finally understood what everyone meant by the power of Positive Thinking.
Because I'm a creature of habit and routine and order, I have formulated a plan to introduce the concept to my brain, sort of a manual.
I started by looking for that proverbial glass and, to my surprise, when I found it, it was over half full.
So here are the first three steps of my battle plan:
1. Instead of grumbling when paying bills, I will reflect on what I am getting:
- a comfortable way to get to the store and work and get out of town
- a way to communicate with friends and family that live far away
- a light to see by and a way to keep cool/warm
- a roof and walls to protect me from the world and weather
- a way to research, play, and chat with people through cyberspace
- family meals at the table
- entertaining movies and shows with a clear picture
- medicine to keep me well
- sometimes even new clothes
(This alternative is a hard one because the bills require more money than I make and I am having a hard time deciding what I want to give up. I hate sacrifice. (Oops, I'm still working on that ‘negative' strain)
2. Instead of resenting and fighting with my son, I will be thankful for him:
- as he is healthy, strong, and smart
- as he loves me and I love him
- as we share many special and humorous moments together
3. Instead of beating myself up with self hatred and loathing, I will vacuum or read a book or think about something else:
- Isn't that sunset beautiful?
- Have I fed the animals yet?
- What should I cook for dinner?
- I sure had fun at the pool today.
(This one is a work in progress)
I've found that this process is working for me and I have not been falling as far down into depression as before. It really helps to have something to stop myself in mid-thought and turn it around to good thoughts.
:) Road Less Traveled
Mountain Pictures
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Comments
I work as a hypnotherapist and so many of my clients are stuck in negative thought patterns, dwelling on perceived injustices that often occurred in childhood.
I love your hub because you've taken a grip on negativity and turned it around.
My three favourite quotes that I often use with clients are:
The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same things, but to expect different results. Albert Einstein
There's no such thing as bad weather - only the wrong clothing! Billy Connelly
We are all of us lying in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde
Re-framing is one of the most powerful tools in our personal toolbox. Keep it up Road Less Travelled! (by the way, that's one of my favourite poems)
Amanda - thanks for joining my fan club and for those wonderful quotes, especially the one about the gutter and the stars. That one REALLY makes sense to me. I still have bad days but this Positive Thinking stuff has cut down on the number of them. Maybe I'll write about those times and how I work my way out of them. Hmmm - you've inspired me. Thanks! RoadLessTraveled
Leila Sky says:
2 years ago
I like the 'reframing' you talk about in point 1.
Distracting myself with hubpages or other creative writing is my version of doing point 3.
Keep 'em coming!