Positive thinking is a philosophy in which the practitioner uses optimism to achieve life improvement. The Mayo Clinic suggests that the employment of positive thinking can be used in the arenas of health and stress management. This way of thinking allows you to change the way you look at negative events and encourages you to embrace happiness as a way of life. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking may improve your physical health, lower your risk of depression and increase your longevity. Many books have been written about positive thinking.
"Excuses Begone!"
One of the more popular books about positive thinking is "Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits," written by Wayne W. Dyer, Ph.D., and published in 2009. Dyer espouses the view that you spend much of your life making excuses to yourself for your lack of accomplishment. Dyer describes methods that can end self-defeating thoughts and allow you to reach your life's goals.
"Law of Attraction"
"Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't," another book about the power of positive thinking, was written by motivational speaker Michael J. Losier and published in 2007. According to Losier, you can attract the things, opportunities and people you want in your life. This is accomplished by devoting your thinking and attention to what you want, not giving your time to negative issues. This book about positive thinking also helps you learn exactly what it is that you want out of life.
"Bright-Sided"
For a strongly worded viewpoint against positive thinking, consider "Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America" by social critic Barbara Ehrenreich, Ph.D., and published in 2009. The author developed her views against positive thinking when she developed breast cancer and felt she was told to "smile or die." Despite the fact that she had those around her telling her that dealing with cancer is a positive, spiritual time for growth, she believes that it is better to recognize pain, fear and unfairness for what they are. She describes positive thinking as "self-delusional" and concludes that it has caused many of our nation's ills, including our economic woes. The author maintains that having a positive mindset prohibits the anxious diligence necessary for personal and collective survival.
References
- "Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits;" Wayne W. Dyer; 2009
- "Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't;" Michael J. Losier; 2007
- "Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America;" Barbara Ehrenreich; 2009
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