Think Positive, Live Positive: Reset Your Perception

In a day where a ton of great things happen and one bad thing happens, it’s easy to obsess over the bad and gloss over the positive. Having a negative outlook will push things to the negative. However, that thinking can train your brain to expect the worst – and make you stuck with a stormy cloud over your head saying, “Ohhh-kayyy.”

When you were a child, your parents might have read you A.A. Milne’s classic children’s book, Winnie-the-Pooh, the story of a happy-go-lucky bear. One of Pooh’s friends was Eeyore, the pessimistic donkey, who always thought negatively, and, as a result, things usually turned out poorly for him. Eeyore might have thought he was cursed. In many ways, it was his constant negative thinking that brought him bad luck. If Eeyore had reset his self-perception, and thought positively, the story might have had a different plot.

Shorten “I Am Not” to “I Am”

We spend a lot of time thinking about all the things we are not but we rarely give ourselves credit for the things we already are. However, let’s be honest, we are all pretty great. The renowned author and speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer[1] believes that by saying ‘I Am Not,’ we are actively limiting ourselves and building up mental walls that will ultimately make those negative feelings come true. If you say ‘I Am’ instead of ‘I Am Not,’ you focus on what you bring to the table – and so will your friends, family and associates.

Remember: people have no idea what you are not so if you don’t tell them, they won’t think it. And they (and you) will see you in a more positive light.

Be Grateful for Gratitude

There’s a rising trend in the world to embrace gratitude. The idea is to take stock and appreciate the things you already have, whether it’s by keeping a gratitude journal or taking gratitude walks.

By writing three things you are grateful for every morning, you start to view your life in a more fulfilled way: appreciating what you have rather than pining for what you don’t. And not every thing you are grateful for has to be huge and life affirming.  Small things like warm socks on a cold day are worthy of gratitude.

Going on a gratitude walk is the same idea but in a walking meditation form. You don’t write it down but you meditate on the things you are grateful for while also taking a short walk. The walk pumps up your endorphins while the meditation leaves a smile on your face.

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[1] Wayne’s Blog, The Power of I Am, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, June 2012