Have you ever had a day that started with the alarm not going off. You think, “Oh, no, not one of those days.” You can’t figure out what to wear. When you finally do, you spill the coffee on your only clean white shirt. You forget your lunch on the way to work. You wish you could start the day over.
Or you wake up from the alarm going off and think to yourself, “Oh, that was so nice to get a little extra sleep. I guess I’ll skip the shower because I certainly can’t skip my coffee.” Don’t rush. Take some deep breaths and begin your day.
I know which day I’d like to start!
Negative thoughts are like a disease infecting you. Negative thoughts are the chatter in your head in the middle of the night or when you’re feeling anxious. To appreciate and understand positive thoughts, you often have to have the negative thoughts first. Here are some negative thoughts and the more positive thoughts that can replace them.
• Worry can become Calm.
• Anger can become Happiness.
• Fear can become Courage.
• Doubt can become Faith.
• Insecurity can become Confidence.
Why not start today to become a Positive Thinker?
~Early Thinkers of Positive Thought~
We often think that our modern society is the first to come up with these new age ideas. However, many of these thoughts have been around for centuries. It has always been part of the human experience to questions life and the world around us.
Here are some examples of Ancient Positive Thinkers:
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”
~Buddha – founder of Buddhism (circa – 483 BCE)
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”
~Marcus Aurelius – Roman emperor (161 -180 AD)
“Men are not troubled by things themselves, but by their thoughts about them”.
~Epictetus – Greek Philosopher (C. 55 – C. 135)
“Take charge of your thoughts. You can do what you will with them”.
~Plato – Greek Philosopher and Prose Writer (428-327 BC)
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
~The Bible – (Proverbs 237)
“I think, therefore I am.”
~ Renes Descartes, French philosopher (1637)
“The thoughts that come often unsought, and, as it were, drop into the mind, are commonly the most valuable of any we have.”
~John Locke, English philosopher (1699)
“The ancestor of every action is a thought.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
~20/21 st Century Positive Thinkers~
Positive thinking is very popular today. Many of us are familiar with more modern day thinkers like:
“The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, author of the Power of Positive Thinking
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
~Dr Wayne Dyer, author and inspirational speaker
“The simple truth is that happy people generally don’t get sick”
~Bernie Siegel M.D., author and Mind- Body doctor
“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”
~Sarah Ban Breathnach, author
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
~Oprah
“The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking” ~Albert Einstein
Here are 21 ways that you can become a Positive Thinker:
1. Surround yourself with positive people.
2. Watch positive movies.
3. Take a news fast or don’t watch the news very often.
4. Exercise.
5. Have good posture.
6. Tell jokes (see some good ones to tell your kids) or learn a magic trick. It will make everyone around you smile, too. See the humor or irony in situations.
7. Be thankful for the little things in your life.
8. Try something new. Drive to work a new way.
9. Read something short and inspiring everyday.
10. Breathe.
11. Express gratitude to people in your life.
12. Anticipate the best – Be optimistic.
13. Live the moment.
14. Fake it ‘til you make it.
15. Say positive affirmations.
16. Think of people who are going through something much more difficult than you are right now.
17. Find the silver lining.
18. Imagine a great future.
19. Think about the good in your day before you go to sleep.
20. Play with kids. I’m with 4 and 5 year-olds every day. They live in the moment. It’s uplifting to be with them.
21. Practice Lucky Thinking.
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
~Unknown
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Hi Betsy,
I love this one on positive thinking. We can look at every situation in our lives and find the positive. It’s there if we look. Positive people are much more fun to be around. When I was teaching, I did love how my 4th graders lived in the moment as well. Love the quotes and the tips.
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Betsy Reply:
May 19th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Thank you, Cathy! I’m so glad you liked it!! It just hit me this morning that we need to be reminded of how to be positive thinkers sometimes! 4th grade is a great grade to teach. I started with 3rd graders. And of course my preschoolers are totally in the moment!
Thanks so much for your comment.
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Hi Betsy,
Now all we have to do is put it in practice all the time, right? It certainly is a work in progress . . .
I wrote a post today on perspective (which I haven’t been able to actually post; I think it’s a WordPress problem; I refuse to think that something is wrong with my computer!) but great minds must think alike; our posts are similar
Have a great weekend and thanks for all the inspiring quotes.
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Betsy Reply:
May 20th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Thanks so much Patricia!
I did go and read your post and loved the story of the Salesmen and the Shoes! Positive Thinking is definitely a work in progress… in fact I’m working hard to practice it right now!
Thanks for your comment and your inspiration as well!!
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It’s taken me many years to change my habitual thinking patterns and transform into a positive thinker. The book “The Perfect power Within You” and Louise Hay’s work … and tapping – all helped tremendously.
Most people don’t realize that it’s layered progress that happens little by little. But over time, any one can change their mind and thought patterns with consistent effort and it’s truly worth the journey!
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Betsy Reply:
May 20th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Aileen,
I’ll definitely check out that book. I have never read any of Louise Hay’s work and I really have to. I just started my summer break so I will put those books on my nightstand. I did try tapping and that’s an amazing thing. But I haven’t tried again. I must do that, too!! And I do agree that anyone can practice positive thought, if they’re willing to give it time and keep on going!
Thanks for your comment!
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Such an uplifting post, Betsy! It is all in the way we choose to perceive our situations! Love this quote: “Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
~Unknown
Thank you for another keeper! And I am glad you’re enjoying your break! Love, Vidya
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Betsy Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 8:00 am
Thank you Vidya! Isn’t that just the best quote? I know that positive thinking is your specialty. So glad you enjoyed!!
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@Aileen – I love the phrase “layered progress” – so absolutely true!
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How does that song go?..you’ve got to accentuate the positive, elminate the negative. Latch onto the affirmative. Don’t mess with Mr. In . Blessings, Betsy
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Betsy Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 8:04 am
I know that song and just looked it up. The lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer and it was published in 1944. Bing Crosby and the Andrew singers sang it as well. And it’s been in tons of movies, too. Thanks Elly for that reminder!
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I LOVE IT!!!!!!
It’s such a beautiful post!! Thank you!!!
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Betsy Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 8:05 am
Nikky,
You made my day by saying that!! Thanks for your lovely comment!
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I can’t even begin to express how much I concur with this post! Positive thinking is everything! There’s really so much to be happy about if we just think about it.
“Live the moment” “Read” “Tell jokes” “Be thankful”. So much good advice here! Awesome post!
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Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:39 am
Yes, positive thinking is everywhere! We just have to look for it! Thank you Terri for your great comment!
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nice post! I used to be like this years ago and then I started waking up atleast an hour to an hour and a half earlier than anyone else in the house. OH MY GOSH – so serene. Even when the kids are off for summer break – I’m still up very early – and if they sleep in? BONUS! lol
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Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:40 am
I get up much earlier, too. (right now I’m up before any of my family) It is so serene. You can get a lot done or you just be. That’s important, too. Thanks for your comment Sheila!!
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Read something short and inspiring–check!
Thanks!
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Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:41 am
Love it Hope!! Thanks for commenting!! I’ll check out your site!!
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Zen Mama, you must have known that I was awake until 2:30 this morning, playing a mad game of “what-ifs”. I’m going to walk a bit lighter today. Thanks for your brilliant words of encouragement.
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Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:42 am
I’m so glad, Beth! I have many middle of night “what-ifs”. It’s part of what let me to write my book and my blog. I’m so happy the post helped and your words made my day. I’ll check out your site, too!
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Positivity all the way!
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Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:42 am
Whoohoo!! Thanks Mami!!
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Thaks 4 ur words
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Betsy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:43 am
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!
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Really needed to read this today. So odd that when I was catching up here last week or so that I happened to stop before this post and this is the first one I read today, after a very difficult day! Thanks, Betsy! Always so inspiring!
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I was planning on writing another post on positive thinking and tried to check around what other bloggers are saying about this topic. Well, am so glad to have read your post as well as the comments here.Very helpful indeed.Thanks for sharing.
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Betsy Reply:
January 13th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Thank you Charmaine! So glad you enjoyed! Have you written your post yet? I’ll come over and check it out!
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