If you want to live a positive life, full of purpose and joy this post is for you. Being positive is not always easy. It takes effort, focus and intentionality. Please note that the concept I am highlighting in this post is not to be confused with “positive thinking” or being in denial. It is not a blind optimism which makes complete abstraction of reality. If your hand is on a hot stove top, you will get burned. Thinking positive thoughts will not replace medical care.
Here are 7 practical things you can do to have a “glass half full” outlook on life.
1. BE GRATEFUL
Take inventory of all the good things in your life and appreciate them. When I’m feeling down, I put my gratitude to paper. I make a list of all the things and people I am thankful for. I also remind myself that someone somewhere is praying for the things I have. We are so blessed but too often lose sight of it.
2. DECIDE
Like everything else in life, being positive takes intentionality. You have to make the conscious decision to find the good in every situation “on purpose”. So many things can happen in the course of a day. Your boss can reprimand you for a mistake you made. In this situation be grateful that you have a job, learn from your mistake and do better the next time. If a friend hurts your feelings, thank God that you have a friend and use the conflict as a growth opportunity through honest communication. If this person is a real friend the conflict will draw you closer, if they’re not you’ll be glad to know where you stand.
3. VOLUNTEER
Helping someone in need is not only gratifying, it also adds perspective to your life. Knowing that there is always someone who is less fortunate than you is very sobering. You should not look down on other people to make yourself feel better but you should lift your head up from your problems, take a look around you to see what others are dealing with and count your blessings.
4. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE
Positivity and negativity are contagious. As you probably know, there is nothing more draining than a negative person. Don’t be that person. Surrounding yourself with people who have faith and are able to see the good in their lives even when they don’t have it all together. This kind of attitude will rob off on you.
5. READ QUOTES THAT INSPIRE YOU
You can find an abundance of Instagram and Twitter accounts dedicated to posting motivational tidbits. You can also select a few of your favorite quotes, write them down on sticky notes and post them around your house in strategic spots such as your bedside, bathroom door and mirrors. You can even stick them on your walls just make sure you select places where you are sure not to miss them.
6. START THE DAY POSITIVELY
“A small positive thought in the morning can change your entire day.” In order to make positivity a habit you must get in the right state of mind first thing in the morning. I meditate and pray as soon as my eyes open. In my prayers, I thank God for allowing me to see another day and put my day in His able hands. Some mornings, I’m not in the mood to even get out of bed, but taking the first minutes of my day to reflect on God and how good He is in the midst of difficult situations gives me the push I need.
7. END THE DAY POSITIVELY
Take a few minutes each night to write down one thing you are grateful for that took place during the day. I call these “daily miracles”. I suggest you keep this list of blessings in a notebook so you can easily refer back to it the next time you are feeling gloomy.
You most likely won’t able to apply all of these recommendations at once so don’t be overwhelmed. The trick, when setting a new goal or trying to acquire a new habit, is to start small and build on it over time. You will be astounded by your progress.
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How do you stay positive?
Stay Conscious & Chic!
