Positive Thinking
© Martha Tierney 2003 as published in Solus Magazine Summer Issue 2003
   

Positive thought is a mental process. A person consciously decides to override a predictable mental response by replacing it with a new thought. The new thought is intended to be their own truth and reflect a positive outlook toward the outcome. Thought is so powerful a transitional tool that, over time, it can manifest a new reality on the physical plane. It is by far the "best medicine" a person can use on a daily basis. By deciding to think Positively, we begin to actively redirect our ho-hum lives. Perhaps in small ways at first, but after 1 short year of Thinking Positively, our lives can become the success we have always dreamed about for years. I am not suggesting that we are going to instantly become the next Oprah if we do not already have those abilities, skills and desires but if we really put some thought into using this tool, our life can become quite different and dramatically improved.
 
Positive Thinking (PT) is actually a choice. A conscious choice that we have to make minute by minute at first until it eventually becomes second nature. Everyday we are faced with a multitude of opportunities to change our thinking to make our daily life much more rewarding. Regardless of the kind of day - workday, holiday, vacation day we can find ways to think positively. Where do we start? Right here and right now.
 

PT has it's own energy just as negative, procrastinating thought has an energy of its own. Let's consider taking a walk right now. Science says it is healthy for us and that is a good reason to take a walk. You think to yourself, "I've been sitting at the computer all day, it would probably make me feel better." And then argue, "...but I'm so tired, too tired, and I have to go home and cook dinner!" At this point, our mind defeats us with a flood of reasons why taking a healthy walk is not an option. We might begin to notice our energy level has gone down and begins to immobilize us. Simply by allowing these excuses some space in our mind, we have allowed the chemistry in our body to prove that we cannot take that walk. However, if we bypass the excuse phase of the decision, and allow only positive aspects to infiltrate our thoughts, then the body begins to release mobilizing energy and the desire to actually take that walk begins to grow. You feel lighter and more ready to move. If we take that walk, we will enjoy the walk and even appreciate ourselves for the walk. If we take PT a step further and think about an aspect in our life we want to improve upon, we can make a positive affirming statement about it and chant it, mentally, in beat with each step of our walk. The walk will feel like it is flying by and we may even extend our jaunt for a longer time.
 

We can apply this thinking to everything in our lives. We can apply it to perceived obstacles, some of the things we love to procrastinate about, even to some perceived "risk" that we fear but still want to take. By thinking differently about each item we allow ourselves to truly consider each option. Is it our thinking that is getting in our way or do we really not want to do it? If we want to do it, then we take the steps to act upon it. If we don't want to do it, we get to release it and clear our minds for more new things that we do want to accomplish.
 
I use the example of walking because it so clearly highlights the benefit of Positive Thinking and how easy it is to use. It is beneficial in so many ways: it can improve self-esteem, it can reduce perceived obstacles, risks, or unnecessary fears, better decisions are made in less time, and we begin to build our lives, consciously, in much better ways.
 
To prove the benefits of positive thinking to yourself, simply dedicate the rest of this day to ONLY thinking positively. Move from a neutral expression into a gentle smile. In a very short time your body chemistry will respond, you will feel better, happier, and more comfortable with who you are. The beauty in this approach to life is that it builds on itself.
 
Since we are what we think about, if we do not change what we are thinking about, we will end up where we already are. If we change our thinking, then we change our energy. And, if we change our energy then we can change our lives.
 

Allow yourself the opportunity to improve your thinking and your life, today.