Mind over Matter: Positive Thinking

You only have to take one look at the news, social media & society as a whole to see that there is an abundance of negativity surrounding us all. From concerns about climate change, to earthquake-style happenings in the economy, then over to healthcare before we jet off to wars and rumours of wars taking place across the globe, it can be difficult to see the silver lining. This is before we have even touched on our own individual & personal circumstances & dynamics. How is one supposed to stay motivated, purposeful and thinking POSITIVE amidst all this? Is it even possible? What is the point?

Well firstly, I think the most important factor is to define what positive thinking actually is. I used to believe that if I could get to a point where no negative thoughts ever entered my mind then I would have reached the perfect place one can ever be. I soon realised the impossibility of such a goal or reality. I am human, we all are - we will THINK. That is literally the very thing our minds were created to do.

However, I eventually learned that positive thinking is more about how you mentally approach even the most negative of situations. The mind is a powerful tool & it can be TRAINED. Positive thinking is not the unrealistic avoidance of all negativity but rather how you respond when unavoidable negativity comes knocking on your door. Are you consumed by it or you are able to process it and still pave a way forward filled with hope inspite of? Do you visualise things working out for the best even when they currently are at their worst or you picture the worst case scenario & throw in the towel?

I urge you to strive for the positive and train yourself to see the good. It's a choice that begins with minding the kind of conversations you have, the advice that you seek and the things you meditate upon when you are all alone. The following are my favourite 5 reasons for positive thinking:

1. Positive thinking increases your ability to manage stressful situations and people.

2. Positive thinking improves your self-confidence.

3. Positive thinking strengthens your body and its immunity.

4. Positive thinking helps you see opportunities you wouldn't normally see or notice.

5. Positive thinking increases your level of productivity and work output.

Is there anything to dislike or argue against from the list above? No! Positive thinking will lead you to a more fulfilled and fruitful life! I understand that some occurences are easier to process than others however this is where the importance of keeping positive company also comes in. In the same way that it is not enough to plant a mango or apple seed while neglecting the use of fertiliser, water & sunlight for a tree full of fruit to grow - we do not help ourselves when we continually surround ourselves with people that don't aid the positive thinking that we are trying to master & live out in our lives.

I have also learned that positivity starts with gratitude. When we make it a hobby to complain, criticise & over analyse the bad - we are training our minds to be hyper aware of those factors in any given situation that we find ourselves in. Do you know the difference it makes to find something to be grateful for, even if it is really small? The breeze of hope it blows over you? To start of by listing the good things about even a bad situation will assist your mind to be solution based when tackling it. It brings you out of the ditch quicker than if you stay there complaining about it. Ask yourself:

1. What can I be grateful for in this situation?

2. What have I learnt for next time?

3. What can I teach others from this situation?

YOU are responsible for your mind and the saying that goes: "how you respond to what happens to you will always be more important than what happens to you" still rings true today.

What areas of your life do you find yourself being prone to negative thinking or fearing the worst before it even happens?

Are there people in your life who are a consistent source of negativity, pull down syndrome & discouragement? What do you think you need to do about their presence in your life?

Where do you find your mind travels to when it is quiet and you are alone? Do you need to make any changes?

What activities can you incorporate into your day to begin to train your mind to think more positively? Journalling? Meditation? Prayer? A Phone call with a trusted positive person? Reading?

There is only one corner of the universe that you can be certain of improving and that is yourself and guess what? It begins with your MIND.

Until next time...

-Prieska-