Are you a naturally happy person? Do you automatically think happy thoughts?
I know, I know...I need to lighten up!
On these days I try to think happy thoughts.
To be positive in my self-talk and to push away any thoughts of failure or despair.
As I go about my daily activities I spend a lot of time talking to myself {can't believe I am admitting this, but I know I am not alone!}, trying to change my thoughts. It is like I am having a battle within myself - trying to let the positive me, win. This can be really exhausting. I find some days I worn out just from helping myself, let alone everyone else in my house!
I have found that not everyone believes in positive thinking. Some consider it to be a total waste of time and that it will have no effect in their lives. Yet, I find it is a topic that more people are becoming interested in and being positive is gaining popularity.
I have found it makes a real difference in my life. I have had times where I have had a little affirmation that I have said to myself each morning or a sweet song that I have sung to uplift my spirits. I have also had times where I have needed a rock song with just the right words to play really loud to help me to think positively.
What do you do to stay positive?
Do you find thinking happy thoughts makes a difference?
Music is my happy muse.
ReplyDeleteI must need happy-rehab or something because although I'm pretty good at being upbeat in the good times [hmmm, is that sniggering I hear?], I really do struggle with negative thinking at other times.
We have a bookshelf full of self-help books and there is a lot of great insight to be gleaned from them but for me to truly alter my 'state' of mind from Downsville to Happy Town music is the fast car on the highway to happy!
x Felicity
PS Hey Naomi, perhaps there are others out there who are the same as me and they could share their happyfying songs with you?!?
PPS On this note one song that brings a smile on my face at the moment is Carol Brown by Flight of the Conchords x
Putting a positive twist on things that are getting to me definitely makes a huge difference - I think it's important to stop and think of all the lovely things in our lives we have to be grateful for which is something I don't do often enough :)
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you on this one! Whenever I make the effort to be positive, I feel better straight away. One little tool I keep in my back pocket is the phrase "Act as if..." so if you want to be happy, in love, grateful etc, you just act as if that's how you already feel and pretty quick, reality catches up with you.
ReplyDeleteI hope this doesn't sound corny...
ReplyDeleteBut yes, thinking positive goes much deeper than that...If I truly am a daughter of God, then I must see myself as He does...every chance I get I look in the mirror and repeat to myself...'I love you, I love you, I really, really do. Just the way you are.' We are of infinite worth and reminding ourselves of it is not vanity, but accepting who we truly are....and that carries great power for good!
I admire you for your love and courage!
Becky Jane
Hi, I recently came across your blog and just wanted to say how much I am enjoying reading your posts! I am SO SO impressed with your son and his efforts to reach his 100,000 step challenge - that is AMAZING!!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question do I find thinking happy thoughts makes a difference? Absolutely.
I really do believe in 'count your many blessings name them one by one'.
When my 6 year old son cries and tells me "this is the worst day ever" (oh the drama haha) I ask him to name 5 things that have been good in his day. And you know what, while sometimes it may take a little while, he can always come up with things that are good in amongst whatever it is that has made his day 'so bad'.
Even though his 'problems' are usually caused by his sister breaking up his lego (haha) I think the principle is the same for adults.
While some of us do deal with real issues of depression, I do believe that if we can compartmentalise our lives, and recognise the good things in amongst the 'bad' things, and if we try and focus on the good, we can be happy and positive despite trying circumstances.
Felicity xo
ps) I blogged about 'realising life and focusing of 'the good things' here.....
http://felicitysbitsandpieces.blogspot.com/2010/04/realising-life.html
thanks for the extended thoughts on 'happy thoughts' - so nice to know I am not alone in my positive thinking and struggles :)
ReplyDeleteOh Naomi. I love this post. It truly resonates with me.
ReplyDeleteMy husband regularly nick-names me 'Eyeore' (in the kindest possible way, of course).
I am always down on myself. Even when I do something well I still find a way to criticise myself.
I definitely use a lot of positve self-talk. I have to or I would never get up out of bed each morning.
I dream and dream of being an outgoing,peppy, likeable person but each day is the same no matter how hard I try.
I think I have come to realise that I'm a half-empty type of person. I believe there are parts of our personality that we can't change but we can employ strategies to overcome those moments of despair. Love your string of posts. Can't wait to read more.
yes, it makes a big difference. but so does acceptance i have come to realise. being happy means totally accepting where and who you are....
ReplyDeleteit is not enough to just "be positive" about the future if you are not able to be thankful and accepting of the way things already are...
does that make any sense? i know what i am trying to say but it is not coming out right! ahhh,lovely post by the way xo
yes, it makes a big difference. but so does acceptance i have come to realise. being happy means totally accepting where and who you are....
ReplyDeleteit is not enough to just "be positive" about the future if you are not able to be thankful and accepting of the way things already are...
does that make any sense? i know what i am trying to say but it is not coming out right! ahhh,lovely post by the way xo
I think optimism is very much a learned behavior. Most days, I'm a very happy person, but it took me a long time to get here :)
ReplyDeleteChallenging negative thought patterns is actually an integral part of treatment for depression. If you tend towards negative thinking (as I do too), it is really hard work to change that, and it really does wear you out! Well done though, keep up with the happy thoughts :-)
ReplyDelete