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

---

Is ADD Getting You Down? 6 Tips to Sharpen Your Celebrating Skills

Celebrating is a skill that adults with ADD (Attention Deficit... Read More

Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life

I was always somebody who felt quite sorry for myself,... Read More

Top Three Secrets To Becoming A Better Thinker

We all know there are ways to become a better... Read More

Deep Doghouse Communication for Angry Men

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

Use Your Imagination to Create the Self You Want

"Every prayer - every thought, every statement, every feeling -is... Read More

Positive Thinking - Anxiety & Panic

If you suffer with or have in the past suffered... Read More

Peak Performance

Peak Performance. It means being at the top of your... Read More

Business Career, Executive Coaching - The Top 10 Tips to Begin the Practice of Positive Affirmations

Positive Affirmations are things we say to ourselves that build... Read More

Using The Negative in a Positive Way ? God Does It All the Time

I loved Norman Vincent Peale's, Power of Positive Thinking as... Read More

Life as a Burden Vs. Live as a Privilege

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

Positive Mind, Successful Life

It took me a long time to realise the benefits... Read More

Adding Meaning To Your Life

You got up today to go to work, to come... Read More

The Use of Affirmations

What is an affirmation? One possible definition is a specific... Read More

Short Cut to Self-Confidence: Say Yes to You!

You are the only one that can give confidence to... Read More

7 Steps To Change Your Life

The quality of your life is directly related to your... Read More

Changing Negatives to Positives

Occasionally people will ask me how I keep a positive... Read More

Decide Your Own Destiny

Human nature is created so that you can choose your... Read More

Train Your Brain, Or Cook Your Goose!

One day while in deep meditation and self analysis, a... Read More

Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed Every Day by Self and Those Around Us

Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed every Day by Self and... Read More

Mind Games!

Have you ever been caught up in a thought that... Read More

Help Yourself to a Better Future

There are very many methods for achieving improvement to our... Read More

Creative Visualization For Successful Goal Achievement

No one becomes successful by accident. Motivational speaker Les Brown... Read More

Do You Neglect The Power Of Your Mind?

James Allen, who wrote the masterpiece, As a Man Thinketh,... Read More

Living Mindfully

Normally I race around multitasking. I am always thinking about... Read More

Believe It Or Not

I am often astounded at what and why people believe... Read More

Finding Meaning in Life: Three Steps

So how do we find meaning? The first step is... 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

Spring Into Enchantment

Who can control a smile sneaking across your face as... Read More

You Gotta Be Positive!

Remember Des'ree? She had a great song out in 1994,... Read More

Be Thankful for What You Have Got

Did you know that the 911 equivalent in the UK... Read More

CHANGE: Do You Do It? or Does It Undo You?

It has been said that CHANGE is THE only constant.... Read More

How To Gain Confidence Quickly And Effortlessly When You Feel the World is Against You

Have you ever felt the whole world was against you?... Read More

Feel Those Feelings and Develop Emotional Intelligence

There is an old joke about a man who is... Read More