Positive thinking

Positive thinking can be defined as a habit, a phenomenon, a strategy and many more. They are two words which we use on various levels – say for example political or even personal. It is difficult to pinpoint the category of people with whom we could associate these two words. Are they counselors? priests? teachers? OR parents? Hard to figure out isn’t it? We are not able to narrow down our choices, because we ALL use it. And do we exercise any level of control when we use it? The answer is NO. It is used very loosely and in so many different ways that is loses its true meaning on several occasions.

Try telling a person who recently got laid off “You must try to think positive”. Easier said than done. One could almost imagine what his reply would be. The best reply I could think of is “Try stepping into my shoes and tell me how it feels”.
Positive thinking does not come easily. It is a deliberate exercise – a commitment, a prayer. The saying “its all in your mind” fits best in this context. And it is true. There are a million reasons why one cannot think positive, particularly during negative times. We all are unconsciously wrapped around “it’s always greener on the other side”. In our low times, we visit the past, try to think of what went wrong and what we could have done to avoid our present circumstance and dream up a future which may or may not be realized. We have all reached this juncture at some point on our lives – just cannot be avoided.

Positive thinking is hard to come about when we are feeling really low. It’s hard not to compare yourself with someone who is doing better. We just cannot help but find excuses for why we are where we are and the person closest to you is the one you blame for everything that’s gone wrong in your life – a downward spiral. It seems like there is no escape. But there is.

There are countless ways in which one can initiate positive thinking. Take a walk outdoors, say through a park. Sit under a tree and look at the skies. I did it and it felt like a turbulent sea of burden (in my mind) just calmed down. Tell yourself that you are lucky for what you are and where you have reached in your life. Give yourself things to look forward to. Eat healthy and sign up for a dance class or a gym regime. Take on small volunteering opportunities and help the less fortunate. Share your skills with another. The world looks so much brighter all of a sudden and your life feels meaningful. You are making a difference on this earth even with those little acts.

Put “positive thinking” into practice. Be mindful of your environment. Be alert. Seek within yourself that strength, that power which will pull you out from despair. By doing this, it will not only will it save you from spiraling downwards but it will help save several others like you.