Examples in Positive Thinking
Posted on August 7, 2007 - Filed Under Got Me Thinking, Tangents
Warning: This is a very rare LONG post from me. Possibly you should print it out and have it framed since I normally try to keep my posts short. This may someday be a collector’s item. 
It was written a while ago and added to as you will see why if you can take the time to read it.
I sometimes get comments on how I have a good attitude and am always positive. It seems funny to me now because I used to be soooo cynical and such the pessimist and skeptic when I was younger. I know some of you may find that hard to believe. LOL. And I’m still no ways near perfect (but who is? I’m not going to beat myself up over it and I’m not competing with anyone, just trying to improve upon myself as much as I can), but nowadays I DO really TRY to be positive and I think that definitely makes me a happier person who is easier to be around.
It started with just small things, like looking for one or two nice things I could think about each day, no matter how small - such as the fact that it rained or that it didn’t rain today, for that matter. That I got to spend time with my nieces and nephews, that I can read, type, walk. The fact that I woke up breathing this morning (that one is still one of my daily favorites). Some might seem small but they are important.
Once I started doing that , it seemed to get easier, and I find it easier and easier each day to be positive and happy. I do believe that it makes a great difference in your life - I feel like I’m proof of that. When I appreciate all the vital things that I have, all the other things that I have ON TOP of those things are like gifts, icing on the cake. And I have sooo many gifts. Being appreciative and grateful puts you in a different state of mind.
Now some of you will say this is all coincidence and you might be right but I do believe the power of positive thinking has something to do with it and if I’m wrong - oh well, it made me happy while I thought it and I didn’t hurt anyone. But when I look back at some things I do feel it was an example of positive thinking having a positive affect on my life.
For example, I once had a job interview at a place that was going to give me a hefty increase in salary and I really wanted that job but almost felt panicked, thinking things like - “Once they get me in for the interview they’ll see through my sham that I’m really a talentless blob and they’ll never hire me.” I was so nervous. Anyway, I spent a long time choosing the right clothes and getting ready for the interview. As I walked out the door, my mom looked at me and told me, “The job is yours.”
I saw she had so much confidence in me that she had no doubts I would get the job. I couldn’t believe it. Then I started thinking, - “Well, I do have talent. I’m at least as good as anyone else, I have really good strong points here and here, etc.” And then I stopped worrying about whether I would get the job. Even if I didn’t get it, I knew something just as good would come along. I was confident during my interview and yes, I did get the job. Whether mom just meant to build up my confidence or really felt like I was going to get the job through some sort of intuition, I think the positive effect it had on me is what worked in the end.
That is just one small example and when I look back I see so many others; too many to write about here. So, think what you want, but give this thinking a shot if you can. Maybe it just makes you more aware of the positive coincidences, but isn’t that okay too? As long as it makes you a happier person, that’s all that matters. Better and healthier to dwell on positive things, I think.
Oh, and thanks, Mom!
Addendum:
Another small example - I wanted to test this theory so I decided to put it into action. I met another nice blogger through another blog friend of mine and really enjoyed her illustrations so I did to her exactly what my mom had done to me. I gave her comments that were full of confidence about a job she was looking into (these were totally sincere, as I would never have flattered someone who was not talented because that would just be plain mean). At one point I even sent her a comment that said “the job is yours.” Go here to see how it ended. It’s even more interesting if you go back and check through comments at her site. So was positive thinking involved or was it just a freaky coincidence? I don’t know either. But it is cool. And she is immensely talented.
Muhahahaha!!!!!!!!
Popularity: 3% [?]
Comments
14 Responses to “Examples in Positive Thinking”
Leave a Reply
What a great post!! I’m a self-confessed pessimist, but I’m an optimist-in-the-making!! I am trying to change my attitude, and I’ve found blogging a great help in that journey. It forces me to make the decision — am I going to pass on my worries and pessimistic attitudes to others through my blog posts or comments, or will I CHOOSE to be positive and optimistic?? By actually having to make a conscious decision about it, it has made me realise I can do that all the time, in my own head! I can choose to think of the negative things or choose to turn it around into something good. Now I’m much better at being positive in general.
Hey, my comment is almost as long as your post!! LOL
LOL - Loved your comment Hannah! I still have to work hard at being positive too but it really does make a nice difference in my life. And it does get easier, once you get yourself going, and it can snowball when you start noticing all the little good things along the way. I guess like anything, it just takes a little bit of time to become more of a habit. Just wish we were born with all this stuff programmed into our heads already!! I always have to find stuff out the hard and long way. LOL.
I always count my blessings and try to keep positive.
( I grew up around people who were never happy, never positive ; it was so toxic. After I moved out at 18, I swore then and there NOT to be negative , ungrateful etc..)
You are right it does get easier!
It’s a good way to live!
Thanks, Merri - I’m go glad you got away from it when you were young. I like picturing you just as your name says it - Merry!
…And here I was thinking I would be lost in your paper trail. It’s not long at all. I really enjoyed reading it. You know you’ve been added to my weekly roundup I’m calling your entry The Power Of Positive Thinking that will come out Friday.
I’ve noticed that people who are constantly negative usually stay in some type of mess. Despite the situations I face I try to be happy, and I think of ways I can turn the negative into a positive. It’s not always easy, but negative attitudes affect the person and the ones that are around them.
Wow. Thank you so much, Opal. I’ll be looking for that on Friday. It’s so nice of you to share some of your audience with me!
I am in total agreement with you about the negative thinking. It’s almost like whatever you dwell on seems to multiply in your life. It took me a long time to figure that out but from now on I’ll do all I can to remain positive. I’d like my existence on this planet to be a good one!!
Wonderful post! And not long at all!! [wink]
…no, none of it is coincidence - each action/reaction has result and meaning, everything affects everything whether obvious or not. I’ve always believed that. Energy never ceases, just morphs…cycles.
[sending you good vibes]
I love your outlook! I need to catch up on your posts!
Also, I caught up on posting…check it out when you can. I will be in the zoi later tonight
Thank you for the good vibes, Blaqberry - can never have too many of them!
Harm - old buddy old pal - I’ll be by to check on your posts and I’ll be stopping by the Zoi later tonight also.
been there…done that…need to do some photo editing and I will be logging on again later tonight…lol
You always were too fast for me!
teehee…
I left a Oops note for you in the village.
I’m watching Will & Grace and blog hoppin’ now
Great post. My main thing I focus on for postive thinking is “At least I woke up this morning.” Which is similar to yours. The fact that I exist at all amazes me sometimes, given the odds.
Teeni it doesn’t seem hard for you to think positively to me. You’re a natural! You have a thoughtful and appreciative attitude of what you’re given; a reminder to us all to look for all the many, many ways we are blessed!
Fair Maiden - you are so right. It is amazing! And very humbling.
Heather - I’m getting in a lot of practice at it.
Of course it doesn’t hurt that I’ve been meeting so many great people on here!
I can really relate to this - I used to be very negative and cynical, but things really changed once I hit my 30s. I started feeling more confident in who I am, letting the pain of the past go, and focusing on how good I have it right now. And things keep getting better - as they say, like attracts like.
Thanks for the lovely comment on my post, by the way. I am finally shaking the jet lag and will get on the travel memoirs post haste!
Ciao!
Right on teeni! Thanks for the great story and all of your positive thinking along the way!
[…] enjoy reading all her posts but I thought the one that I think my readers should check out is Examples in Positive Thinking. It touches on a topic that we all need to remember at times. When you’re in the mood to […]
[…] And I made the most recent one! Specifically, my post about positive thinking (you can read it here) caught her attention. This is quite an honor as Opal is a highly respected pro blogger on a […]
[…] http://www.vtroom.com/2007/08/07/examples-in-positive-thinking/ […]