Indian philosopher and non-violent activist Mahatma Gandhi once said, "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." So it is with a positive attitude. Developing a positive attitude can be difficult in a world constantly filled with economic, political, emotional and physical crises, but it is possible and worth the effort.
The Company You Keep
Usually, you can't choose your coworkers, most of your family members, or the clerks and service people you come into contact with on a daily basis, but you can choose the people you socialize with or befriend. Limit your contact with people who are negative or critical, or who tend to stifle or inhibit positive feelings about yourself. Positive people help to reinforce and stimulate a positive attitude. Sharing your own positivity with someone else in need of a boost keeps the positivity pendulum swinging.
Attitude of Gratitude
Even when life is miserable, small, good things happen--sometimes only fleetingly--that not only make life livable, but meaningful. Focusing on these small, medium or large moments of pleasure or peace naturally reminds us to be grateful and leads to familiar "things could be worse" reminders. Gratitude for present pleasures keeps us from constantly looking back at negative aspects of the past or the day, and encourages healthy, positive thinking.
Be Here Now
One of the most useful tips for feeding a positive attitude is to live in the now. Mulling over mistakes, misfortunes or missteps in the past prevent a person from truly living in the present and can hinder the growth of a positive attitude. Worrying about the future and the good or bad events yet to come wastes valuable "now" time. An Inuit proverb aptly described the benefits of the "be here now" philosophy: "Yesterday is ashes. Tomorrow is green wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly."
Affirmations
Affirmations are simple, true statements about you that can help jumpstart positive feelings and healthy self-esteem. The struggling, neurotic character of Stuart Smalley in the movie, "Stuart Saves His Family," affirmed about himself, "I deserve good things; I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am an attractive person. I am fun to be with." While the statements may be simple, or even funny, they illustrate the need to think positive thoughts about ourselves, as well as the people we deal with each day. Daily affirmations aid in changing negative personal perceptions and stimulate healthier, more constructive thinking.
Give of Yourself
People who have positive, happy attitudes seem to exude positivity from their pores. A person with a positive attitude can beneficially impact other people in need. Psychiatrists, psychologists and physicians often recommend volunteering as a way for people not only to assist others but also to lift themselves from despair, grief, depression or feeling worn down by complications from living life today.
