Look for the Positives

Our lives are overflowing with negative information from the newspapers, magazines, television and radio. Nations are at war, thousands are dying of starvation and hundreds are killed by natural disasters. There is no avoiding or ignoring the facts. We even receive negativity from our own families and friends every single day.

How we deal with this information is up to us. One, we can absorb it all and allow it to negatively dominate our thoughts, emotions, attitudes and our day-to-day lives. Or two, we can view these events as an unfortunately "normal" part of our existence and concentrate on those things we can do something about - such as our own personal lives and how we can positively affect and influence ourselves and those around us. In fact, if we dwell on the negatives around us and constantly reinforce them with our thoughts and words, our lives will tend to be mostly negative. "Bad" things are more likely to keep happening to us.

Instead, if we change our focus to the good things of life - the positives - there is an above average chance that things will get much better. Negatives fill our emotional bucket quickly and before we know it, they are spilling all over ourselves and those around us. Isn't it far more logical to fill our bucket with positives? The people around us are sure to be much more receptive to any spillage the might occur.

Try this. Make a "Gratitude Check". Take some time for yourself and write down the good things in your life or the things you enjoy and appreciate. Start with the fact that you woke up this morning, then go from there. No matter how bad your situation is, if you try just a little you'll have several hundred items on our list. A helpful hint - keep the list handy and add to it as you think of other things. There will always be days when your list will come in handy to give you a pick-me-up.

Be selective about what you read, watch on TV and the music you listen to. Think about the information your mind is absorbing and determine whether it' s really good for you. Be selective with your friends and pay attention to the conversations you are having. Is the relationship - or the conversation - based on negative words and feelings? Would you be better off changing the subject - or finding someone different to spend your time with?

Watch your "self talk". This is the imaginary conversations we have with ourselves and others, especially when there are potential conflicts on the horizon. Stop "badmouthin'" the people in your life and stop badmouthin' yourself! Every time we do that, we are reinforcing to ourselves just how miserable the world is and how unfortunate we are.

Look for the positives in everything that happens in your life, no matter how bad they seem at the time. Life is filled with lessons and the potential for each of us to learn, especially from the uncomfortable situations. Pay attention. Learn as quickly as possible so these lessons need not be repeated.

About The Author

Gene, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog along with affordable books and materials written to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life's "secrets for survival" in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/

nupathz@qwest.net

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Whats My Life All About?

What's my life all about is the question so many... Read More

10 Tips to Cope with Negative Emotions at Work

It's a fact of life - if you want to... Read More

Self-esteem: Does It Really Matter?

Some people are full of confidence and able to meet... Read More

Life Energy

There is a growing appreciation of the impact of psychic... Read More

Does Life Really Stink?

One of my class fellows was really tensed, when asked... Read More

Accepting Change

Well I've finally done it...I turned my heat on. After... Read More

Stinking Thinking Makes Hope A Dope

Many centuries ago there was a Greek philosopher who lived... Read More

Do You Believe What You Think?

If you work toward what you dream, the dream can... Read More

10 Tips to Improve Your Self Esteem

Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody's mind.... Read More

Managing Your OCD, Panic Attacks, and Obsessive Thoughts

There are times that we encounter fearful thoughts that can... Read More

Are You Thinking The Right Thoughts?

"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More

Life as a Burden Vs. Live as a Privilege

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Is the glass... Read More

Managing Life Changes the Tetris Way (or How to Let the Blocks Fall with Skill and Grace)

Are you undergoing a major life change? Or merely trying... Read More

Knowing the Power of Positive Thinking

In the self-help and wellness industry, a mission has been... Read More

Penury Perpetuates Poverty

So...you might just believe I hide behind computers creating and... Read More

Life Issues Pt. 3 - An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude. How important is this to you... Read More

Have a Present Moment!

It was the 10th day of rain, and I walked... Read More

Power Talk: The Two Most Powerful Words In Language

I don't know about you, but for me, the technological... Read More

A Negative Experience an Opportunity?

Early in my career a position became available which I... Read More

Mindfulness and Money: Monkeying Around

Kasia is a talented landscape designer who speaks several languages,... Read More

Deep Doghouse Communication for Angry Men

Many times when an angry or rageful man comes into... Read More

So What Is A Limiting Belief?

So what is a limiting belief?Don't you love the current... Read More

Transform Your Behavior Painlessly by Using the 5-Minute Success Strategy

Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More

Get Some Attitude!

You've been looking for a job for as long as... Read More

In The Midst Of A Storm, Theres Something More!

Have you truly tried and still failed? Have you pushed... Read More

Management of the Almighty Anger

Apart form the Emotions and the attitude, Anger is a... Read More

Reality Exposed

Did you know that our thoughts may be influencing our... Read More

Keep Your Cool

Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let... Read More

Affirmations for Success + Music = Pow!

Music penetrates our mental barriers and influences the deepest areas... Read More

5 Proven Ways to Safely Make Positive Life Changes

One of the most important aspects of living a healthy... Read More

White Sun: How to Cultivate Ones Body

Drinking damages the soul; being lustful damages the vitality; greed... Read More

Quick Tips On Making Change Work For You

Facing a change and want to make it work for... Read More

Another Life: I Wish I Were Someone Else

In 1978, Erma Bombeck wrote a book entitled "The Grass... Read More