positive thinking

Positive thinking is not about pretending things are great when they manifestly are not; it is about seeing as much good around you as possible. It is not about repressing your feelings of sadness, loss, anger and similar, but it involves fully experiencing such feelings, maybe choosing to act upon them, but then letting go and allowing better things to flow towards you.

here are some approaches to try:

- keep busy, if you do not have a job, do voluntary work, clean your house, go for walks. If you are feeling low this will feel very much against the grain at first, but try it a little at a time, building up as your energy and inclination grow.

- avoid depressing headlines - seek out publications on positive thinking

- regularly smile at yourself in the mirror and give yourself praise

- at the end of each day write down three good things that have happened, that you have seen or know about (or keep a Gratitude Diary!)

- also write down three things you have achieved, that have made something or someone better! This includes sitting and stroking your cat or dog or doing some washing, as well as pulling off a marvellous deal at work or writing a chapter

- at the end of each day, read something uplifting and cheering, such as poetry or a novel with a happy ending (everything has an energy field and watching something negative on television can affect your sleep)

- count your blessings - write these down too. There are many things in life that are blessings, that we simply take for granted. For instance, food on the table, safety from physical attack, running water, shelter - the list is endless

- phone your friends and family and tell them some good news (physically phone someone, I know it's not done too much these days but it is great to talk in person!)

- have a laugh

- choose two or three reasonable positive affirmations that you can say to yourself with conviction. For instance, it may be useless to say over and over again 'I am happy, I am happy' when you are miserable! What you could say is 'I am finding things to cheer me up!'

- do a kind deed (I am not sure how many times in the last week I've let someone else go before me in a grocery line/coffee shop with a baby on my hip - it is truly one of the best things you can do!)

- have a small treat every day (a glass of wine - organic or biodynamic, sit in the sunshine) and a big one each week (have a massage or a movie night with friends [doesn't always happen here as I'm a busy Mum to two toddlers but you can think of your own things that you class as big treats!])

- if something bad happens to you, such as losing your job, list all the benefits that could come your way through this in the short-term and long-term, e.g 'thank goodness I don't have to get up so early' to 'maybe I can now retrain for the career I really want'

Directing your thoughts positively can result in enhanced creativity and greater spiritual health!