Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative

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Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative

by: Stephanie K. Hollender

 

" Just because one cannot see, does not mean they have no VISION and just

because one cannot walk does not mean they cannot GO THE DISTANCE!!!! ! " --

Christopher Reeve, actor

 

It could be said the word, " determination " and the name, " Christopher Reeve "

are synonymous. Since his riding accident in 1995 leaving him paralyzed from

the neck down, Reeve has displayed the type of internal fortitude and sheer

determination most people could only hope to have when faced with a similar

situation.

What makes some so mentally strong that they are determined to " sail full

steam ahead " no matter what while others literally give up and die?

Optimism . . . faith . . . the Power of Positive Thinking.

In his bestseller, the Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale

demonstrates the power of faith in action. Through experiences of men and

women coming to him for advice, Peale reveals how the proper attitude of

mind can change lives and win success in all things. Peale speaks about:

Breaking the worry habit

Getting other people to like you

Energizing your life giving yourself the vitality and initiative needed to

carry out your ambitions and hopes

Avoiding " the jitters " in your daily work

Believing in yourself and in everything you do

Living a controlled, relaxed life no matter how fast the pace may be

Developing the power to reach your goals

Thinking the kind of thoughts that lead you to a fuller life and satisfying

success

Changing our thinking from negative to positive touches everything in our

lives from getting out of bed in the morning to relating to our friends and

family. It influences our performance at work, at the gym and life in

general.

Positive thinking allows us to handle stress more easily and possibly

affording us longer, healthier lives. Repeated stress signals can eventually

weaken the immune system and are linked to colds, respiratory infections,

hypertension, heart attacks, diabetes, asthma, allergies, colitis,

alcoholism, obesity, backaches and the progression of cancer.

Our bodies cannot distinguish between stress triggered by our own negative

thoughts or real outside events. If we tell ourselves things aren't going to

go well, we become tense, anxious and prepare for the worse. On the other

hand, if we visualize a positive outcome, our stress level will be lower in

approaching the task.

Motivational " coaches " teach their pupils various methods to enhance their

outlooks on life--affirmations, or the process of mentally and verbally

redirecting the thought process, are perhaps one of the most effective means

for changing our vision of ourselves.

We don't realize how many times a day we send ourselves negative messages.

Most of us usually don't spend much time thinking about the way we think.

But thinking is a habit, and the way we talk to ourselves in our minds is a

habit. Studies indicate most people hear between 300 and 400 negative

message per day--many of which occur in our own minds. How many times have

you said to yourself, " That was stupid, " " I need to lose weight " or " I'm

going to fail my test today. " Negative self-messages and put-downs breed low

self-esteem, depression and lack of motivation. While positive self-messages

create good results: happiness, success, serenity.

Make yourself more aware of your inner conversations. Stop your negative

self-talk today. As the old song goes, " Accentuate the positive, eliminate

the negative. " Whenever you feel yourself thinking a negative thought, STOP.

Don't finish it. Change the thought to a positive one before it leaves you.

Give yourself a daily pep talk. Tell yourself, " I am in control of my life " ,

" Great job at the gym " , " I'll get that A on my test " , " I'm thankful for my

family and friends and the life I have " .

No one can be " Polly Anna " all of the time, but eventually practicing a

positive " mind set " (seeing the glass half full) can and will become a way

of life.

 

Make it a great day!