Positive thinking.....

[Leo tickles]

First off, does positive thinking work?
Second, what's the line between positive thinking, and having everything work out as you want it to, because obviously anybody can make up wings for themselves and see themselves flying into stars, but nobody will grow wings.


Discuss.

 

[luvgirlsfeet]

Positive thinking doesnt always work, if it had then everyone would have everything they thought positive on. People my entire life have always told me think positive and quite frankly it pisses me off.

 

[Leo tickles]

That's what I said.

I looked up some stuff online and it said those for whom it doesn't work aren't doing it right. My whole thing is like you said if it always worked, wouldn't everybody be happy?

 

[Bizkit]

Even though I try to preach postive thinking,I don't truly believe in it.For every thing positive there is something equally negative.That is just the law of the universe right there.All you can do is think positve,and take as much action upon whatever it is you want.(I need to take my own advice).At least then you won't have any regrets.I have found the phrase ''prepare for the worst,but expect the best'' to be very useful in life.

 

[Redmage]

Positive thinking works mainly in contrast to negative thinking, which doesn't work at all. If you convince yourself that something isn't going to work out well then more often than not that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Negative thinking saps your energy and communicates itself to others that you work with, greatly diminishing your chances of success.

Positive thinking works out a lot more often than those negative attitudes do, which is why it has such a reputation.

There's an old Sufi proverb: "Maybe the damned horse can fly." It means "Don't give up hope - things can work out in ways you do not expect, if you are prepared to seize the chance when it comes." It comes from this story:

The Sufi mystic Mullah Nasrudin was condemned to death by a fundamentalist Shah who disliked his "liberal" interpretations of the Koran. Nasrudin then made the Shah a surprising offer:

"Postpone my execution for a year," Nasrudin said. "and I will teach your horse how to fly."

The Shah, intrigued, agreed to Nasrudin's proposal. However he announced that he would keep Nasrudin locked within the palace walls until the horse actually flew.

A few weeks later, a colleague visiting Nasrudin asked him "What did you hope to gain by this?"

"A year is a long time," Nasrudin replied placidly. "In a year, the Shah may die, and new Shahs always pardon condemned men on their coronation day. In a year's time, there may be a revolution, or an invasion. In a year, the palace guards may become careless, and I will always be watching for chances to escape.

"And if worse comes to worst," Nasrudin ended. "maybe the damned horse can fly."

Positive thinking isn't the polly-anna-ish faith that everything will work out just as you want it to. It's a combination of confidence in your own abilities and a willingness to look for ways to benefit (also known as "opportunities") even when things don't work out just as you want them to. It's not blind faith that the universe is just going to hand you things but rather the self-assurance to know that you can make things happen for yourself. That belief and that alert posture are invaluable for success.

 

[tcklft]

Don't think so much, just concentrate.

 

[Bohemianne]

A person lives his/her unique formula...Then there is "brainwashing everywhere" and the person is lost in a belief.

In the end person still lives his own formula. The main thing is: has he reached a destination?

Or life just simply drifted to nothing...

 

[maniactickler]

I dont think either really works. i believe whats going to happen will happen no matter what.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

The "power of positive thinking" is much like faith. Neither is a magic fix to anything, contrary to what some may preach. But, either can give you an attitude that helps you to recognize good opportunities...as well as bad ones...for what they are and respond accordingly. Having a positive attitude also makes one more approachable which can lead to others being more responsive and open towards you. That combination is likely the true secret to any success gleaned from them.

 

[luvgirlsfeet]

I dont think either really works. i believe whats going to happen will happen no matter what.

well said

 

[minerva]

I don't know about positive thinking making all of your dreams come true....

To me, positive thinking is not about making all your dreams come true - would be great if it were that easy - though I do believe your attitude and expectations DO reflect in your actions and therefore will have some influence.

To me it's how you deal with things that have already happened.
If something went wrong, you can spend your time whining and feeling sorry for yourself or you can simply accept the fact, that there are things you can't change, but try to see the positive sides, though that's not easy sometimes or at least try to find out what you can learn from that experience.

 

[steph]

That's what I said.

I looked up some stuff online and it said those for whom it doesn't work aren't doing it right. My whole thing is like you said if it always worked, wouldn't everybody be happy?

No.
For starters, not everyone WANTS to be happy. Some thrive on the pain, others just haven't realized a better live CAN be created.
And, I think sometimes happiness, like sadness is an extreme. If you were one or the other ALL the time, you're in big, big trouble.
Most important of all IMO is this: People say things. People do things. How YOU choose to react to them is what determines which side of the fence you end up being known for. Does that make sense?
A friend sent me this recently. I was going to make it its own thread but it seems at home here. I hope you like it as much as I did. some seems a bit simplistic for for the most part, its heart's in the right place.
XOXO

Tips for an Exceptional, Superb, Powerful Life!


Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk,
smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock
if you have to.

When you wake up in the morning complete the following
statement, 'My purpose is to________ today.'

Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

Dream more while you are awake.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat lessfoods
that are manufactured in plants.

Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild
Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and
let new and flowing energy into your life.

Don't waste your precious energy on issues of
the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like
algebra class (ugh)......but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.

Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use
the 1200 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie
now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five
years, will this matter?'

Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your
friends will. Stay in touch with them.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
"I am thankful for __________."
"Today I accomplished _________."