Positive thinking: Do YOU think that it can make your life better? Make you happ

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   Relationshipcposted 11 years ago

   Positive thinking: Do YOU think that it can make your life better? Make you happier?
   
   I'm interested to know how you feel about positive thinking. I know some people think it works for a happier and healthier life while other people don't.
   
   I am a fan of positive thinking, but I want to know how my fellow hubbers feel about it.

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   PedroFernandesposted 11 years ago

   Positive thinking puts you in a completely different mindset, one in which you're much more aware of all the opportunities life gives you to be happy and successful.
   Pessimists are so embroiled in their own negative thinking that they miss these.
   On top of that, scientific research has come to the conclusion that positive thinking boots your immune system leaving less vulnerable to disease.

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      PedroFernandesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      There is a common belief that a optimist never experienced suffering in his life! Everyone experiences suffering at some point in their lives. This comes from someone who spent years feeling miserable on account of having hypochondria.

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      Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are so right! I've experienced this. Being positive allows me to see the great opportunities around me and take action on them. Being negative causes me to stay stuck in my own little bubble and miss them.

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   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   Have you experienced deep depression or PTSD? When you are in the throws of these diseases, it is impossible to think positive thoughts. But, for those who haven't experienced such in their life, it is so easy to judge one for being unhappy. It is their fault because they do not think positive thoughts??

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      PedroFernandesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not mentioning people suffering from such mental conditions. I have all the respect for them. I'm talking about people free from mental illness, who share a negative view of life and of mankind.

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      Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I was also talking about people free from any mental issues; however, this is a very good point. Having a positive outlook (thoughts) may actually not be attainable in some situations.

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   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   Entirely. Thinking positively and enjoying the little things really help you in life.

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      Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for answering lburmaster.

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   Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

   Positive thinking does make a difference, and it's something people should aim to do if at all possible.  It can only make so much of a difference when it comes to some situations.  On the one hand, it can help people get through times/situations when positive thinking just isn't going to make MUCH of a different.  On the other hand, too many people think that "all it takes is positive thinking to be happy".  There are some situations that are just too much, or too bad, to be able to "magically be happy" with positive thinking alone.
   
   Something else about positive thinking that a lot of people don't seem to understand is that it isn't always a matter of never thinking, or saying, anything "negative" about the situation.  It's more a matter of knowing how to work around or put in perspective the realities of the negative situation.  Too many people think that if a person says anything less "positive" than, say, "puppy dogs and daisies", that person is "too negative"/"isn't positive".  Positive thinking is about managing the negative stuff - not "living in la la land".
   
   People who have never been in a situation bad enough that it just isn't going to be cured/helped by positive thinking often tend to believe that because they've always found positive thinking useful in getting them through their "less severe" situations, positive thinking can fix everything and just make everyone happy.  So, while it's certainly, as far I'm concerned, something everyone needs to try to do; people shouldn't be deluded into believing that it makes all problems, loss, and/or grief go away (or even, in some cases, lessen even a little).
   
   I had a friend once who had some serious sadness in her life.  She took anti-depressants because of it.  YET, when I talked about some of the serious, sad, things; she had the nerve to say, "Don't you sometimes think it's sometimes a matter of having a positive mental attitude?"  So her "legitimate sadness" got the drug treatment.  Mine got the suggestion that I should think more positively.  (imagine a mean-face emoticon here    lol  )  A whole lot of people are guilty of that kind of thinking. 

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      PedroFernandesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly my point! Positive thinking isn't a magical bullet. Then again, negative thinking doesn't bring confer any advantage to our life. Positive thinking isn't miraculous, but it helps to focus our minds on solutions rather than problems.

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      Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for a very insightful answer and gives a lot to think about.  "Positive thinking is about managing the negative stuff - not "living in la la land" - Excellent way to say it.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. "people who have never been in a situation bad enough...tend to believe positive thinking can fix everything" Personally, I'm perplexed by the popular propensity to be persistently positive   It endangers empathy.

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   ChristinSposted 11 years ago

   All I know is when I was a miserable person who felt like a victim in life, that seemed to be what kept happening.  I would have more bad experiences, have more negative thoughts, and soon all I was doing was dodging bullets and expecting the worst etc.  It became a self-fulfilling prophecy.  I was not empowered. I was just a victim to circumstance etc.  I gave my power away to circumstance, did not accept accountability for my own happiness and continued to spiral into deeper depression and other issues. 
   
   When I made up my mind to change how I think and become a stronger, better , well adjusted person everything in my life turned around.  I felt in control of my own destiny, I was grateful for what I had, my health improved, I had incentive to look for opportunities and push myself.  I woke up feeling good about my life despite whatever was going on around me.  I still face challenges, but I feel better able to meet them and that gives a sense of satisfaction.  That's the power of positive thinking - it gives you power!
   
   What we think we tend to believe and what we believe becomes our reality.  Think and act in positive, empowered ways life improves.  At least that's been my experience

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      Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree Christin. We are in control of our own happiness and when we choose to focus on the negative side of life how can we expect to experience positive things? That has been my personal experience as well.

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   Mystique33posted 11 years ago

   I think that positive thinking and faith goes a long way. I know that not everyone believes in a higher power and I don't want to sound like a religious freak, believe me I am not. However, I was recently going through a difficult time and I said this simple prayer, God restore the things which are already mine, today I am happy, today I am wealthy, today I am in love, today I am no longer in dept, today my struggle is over, today I am the person you created me to be. The day after I prayed this prayer, I started to see my life turn around. I know this might sound crazy to many of you but for me it made a big difference in my life. Whether it was God working behind the scenes or weather things started to turn around because I truly believed they would is debatable. Regardless, it made a big difference in my life. Try it say the words, believe what you are saying and see what happens. Either way, positive thinking does really effect the outcome of your life.

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      Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It does not sound crazy to me, at all. The power of prayer is amazing. I think that prayer helps us to focus on the positive because in a way we 'let go and let god' with our problems and then start to focus on solutions.

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   howtobeasuccessposted 11 years ago

   Yes of course,i Positively think that Positive thinking can lead to a better and happier life. First of all, we do not have control on what will happen in our life. So to say that i you are doing something to prepare yourself on troubles and problems in life is somehow wrong. What you can simply do in LIFE is to think positive that you will be able to overcome the uncertainties that life will give you.
   
   Those who think Positive could also think easier and rightfully even stressful moments in their life leading to better decisions.

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      Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Great way to look at it! Instead of dreading future issues, be prepred to handle them.

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   kozmoposted 11 years ago

   Put it this way--it's a lot better than the opposite.  I believe that if you can look for the positive in any situation it helps you overcome negativity.  Negativity can bring you down so very fast.  If you try to stay positive even in adverse situations it is important to have others around you with the same frame of mind.  It is so hard to stay positive while those around you are complaining and voicing their negative opinions.  It is said that one must void of the toxic people in your life.  Staying positive is in my opinion the only way to get through.

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      Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. I have removed some negative people from my life because they were consistently negative about everything. Having positive people around you in life is a blessing.

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    Billie Kelpinposted 11 years ago

    Positive thinking is helpful; even science has proven that. (I listen to Hawaiian music just to cheer myself up because cheerful is good). HOWEVER,  I must add that I am actually sick and tired of the modern twist on positive thinking that seems pervasive among my new acquaintainces, especially here in CA.  Everything is always "great".  No one has children they're worried about or discusses bills they can't pay, or personal health they're concerned about.  Everything is working out fine for everyone. Heaven forbid they would get me down by expressing a negative thought about their lives (I'm grateful for their selfless act of shielding me, but it doesn't help me feel close to them. Attention, you don't have to protect me from your pain.  I might be able to help. Of course, I in turn, don't feel I have permission to pour out my worries in their presence. So I smile and tell say that my husband really enjoys his 2 hour train ride to work each day and his two hour ride back. I tell them I think he enjoys the socialization -stuff like that.  I have exactly two friends with whom I can be authentic.  Maybe that's why I come to hubpages because no one knows me and at least I can be authentic HERE. Positive thinking is actually driving me crazy. Facebook postings don't help much either.  Everyone's trip was lovely - blah da de blah. So stay tuned for a new hub I've been working on: "Can't We All Just Buck Up: The Art of Walking Among the Persistently Positive." Meanwhile,  I would encourage everyone, while being positive in his or her own life, to find someone with whom you can say, "I'm so disappointed in such or such..." "I'm worried about..."  You don't have to shield the world from the reality of existence. Let's get back to a little authenticity. It is when we are empathetic with ourselves that we can be empathetic to others. And that's my authentic thought for the day.

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       Relationshipcposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Passionate! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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       Lisa HWposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You're so right.  Someone with legitimate negative stuff is left feeling isolated, even judged for not remaining persistently happy - or at least silent and "not toxic to anyone else".  Maybe even blamed for not being happy.

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       Billie Kelpinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       LisaHW, Thank you for commenting.  I was ready to give up on writing my article which actually is supposed to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but didn't seem to resonate even with my husband.  But since one person, you, sees a point here, I'll forge ahead.

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    ALwaysShawnaposted 8 years ago

    I believe thinking positive is a very powerful thing. I was the queen of negative thinking and my life was miserable, I felt things always had to happen the way I needed it to or life was horrible. But now every thing I do I think happier thoughts, I live in the moment and not try to control every moment . I now believe whatever is going to happen will happen. I no longer fell locked up in a cage. Its like I let fear go and allow positive energy to flow in my life. Maybe its just me.

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