Positively Positive

"I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas Edison

I chose this quote this week because it emphasizes the power of perspective and staying positive. Our lives are shaped on a yearly, daily, hourly, even minutely basis by our perspective on things, places, people and situations. By maintaining a positive focus and perspective, it will greatly impact our mental focus, stability and level of overall happiness. For example, if you pulled into a parking lot and got a flat tire what would your thought be? Would it be, oh darn, this is going to cost me money, time and frustration...or would your thought be, well I got the flat at the grocery store, so at least I can shop while waiting for the tow truck...or at least I didn't get a blow out while driving on I-4? While not rainbows and roses, the last two answers are more focused on a positive outcome of what would normally be viewed as a bad situation.

Here are some suggestions to help you stay positive:
1. Make a conscious effort to look at the positive side of all situations.
2. Think, feel and believe that positive thinking will result in positive results.
3. Surround yourself with other positive people.
4. Helping other people can help us by highlighting our strengths, helping us feel useful/needed
and providing us with new perspective.
5. Practice gratitude and thankfulness daily. Even if things seem bad, they could be worse, and
while it may be hard to see that during those bad times, if you can focus on being
grateful/thankful for what you do have, it can help provide hope, optimism and strength.
6. We have all heard the phrase "laughter is the best medicine." Well it's difficult to be laughing
and negative/depressed at the same time. Fill your life with laughter as a natural support for
positivity.
7. Let go of the negativity in your life in whatever form it comes in, people, things, stress or
whatever.
8. Practice self-care on a daily basis. Make sure that you are getting enough rest, eating
properly, and exercising regularly.
9. Use relaxation techniques and meditation to keep yourself relaxed and focused.
10. Be aware of the power of words. In counseling we work with our clients on eliminating words
such as can't, won't and hopeless and replacing them with words like can, will, and
opportunities.

By working on our perspective daily, and trying to maintain a more positive focus, we can improve the overall quality of our lives. Stay positive.