Positive thinking is a powerful tool that can help us arrive where we want to be in life. When we focus on the positive versus dwelling in the negative, we are uplifted, happier and more effective. If we learn to harness the power of authentic positive thinking, we become fueled with the passion and purpose to realize our dreams.
Yet, in our current “Law of Attraction” culture, positive thinking has become the fast food of the personal development world. Just as that burger and fries will only sustain us for so long, so will positive thinking unless it contains the good nutrients needed for the long term. In some ways, positive thinking can become “empty calories” in our lives – filling, but not fulfilling. How so?
Positive thinking can actually disempower us if we are not careful. This happens at the times when we “pretend” that everything is good with us. Did you ever know someone stuck in an unhealthy relationship and refusing to admit or change it? This type of thinking is a “false positive”. It’s a setup for disappointment when we arrive at the truth of what we so diligently thought positively about.
Negative feelings can be useful in that they often have something important to tell us. If your mind and heart are sending you warning signals, it may be time to re-evaluate some things and make changes where necessary. This is how negative feelings can actually help us grow and begin to welcome good things and people into our lives once again.
Positive thinking should not be used as a “band-aid” for emotional wounds. The hurt you feel inside will still be there when the band-aid falls off. When we use positive thinking to get away from bad experiences, we lose the opportunity to bring long lasting fulfillment into our lives.
For positive thinking to “work,” it’s got to be authentic. Meaning, you truly believe what you are thinking and saying to yourself. The key word here is AUTHENTIC.
What are the ingredients of AUTHENTIC positive thinking?
Self Acknowledgment. Writing self-acknowledgments can be an empowering practice that nurtures authentic positive thinking and a healthy self-image. It’s important to remember the good things about you and all you do. Celebrate your talents, your strengths and accomplishments. Revel in how well you’ve done something – even the little things. For example, “Today I acknowledge myself for speaking my opinion at the business meeting” or “Today I acknowledge myself for emptying the dishwasher and folding my laundry.”
Daily Gratitude. There is so much good and beautiful inside of us and our lives… and so often we choose not to notice it. Look around and you’ll see that you are surrounded by many wondrous things! Give Gratitude to your God or Universe for all that’s been created and provided for you. Give thanks for the skills and talents that you possess. For example, “Today I am grateful for the crisp breeze blowing through the trees that cools the air and brings refreshment” or “Today I appreciate the stranger who smiled at me as we passed each other in the grocery store.”
Feel your Negative Feelings. When you’re really in the dumps, don’t try to use positive thinking to make the dumps go away. This kind of positive thinking inevitably leads to more disappointment because it doesn’t provide the motivating/fulfilling energy needed to sustain it! Instead, embrace how you feel. Discover your unmet needs that are creating your feelings. Learn to meet those needs in empowering ways. Then, write Truth Affirmations™ about your strength, courage and insights.
Truth Affirmations™. These are brief, true statements about you, your life and the people in it based upon actual experiences, daily acknowledgments and gratitude’s. The truth is that you KNOW you can accomplish anything and manage any life lesson that comes your way. It’s just that sometimes we lose sight of this truth of our own being and need reinforcement. If you are already writing daily gratitude’s and acknowledgments, you’ll have lots of material to create Truth Affirmations™. Examples: “I am strong.” “I have many supportive relationships.” “God supports me.”
Here’s a Coaching Challenge for you!
- Your Self-Acknowledgment: Tonight before bed, practice writing your first set of self-acknowledgments. You do so much for so many people. Honor this about you!
- Your Daily Gratitude: Wake up tomorrow morning and greet the day with something to be thankful for. What can you appreciate?
- Your Truth Affirmation™: Remember the truth of who you are and all that you are capable of achieving. Write 10 Truth Affirmations™. When you’re through, reflect on how you felt just 20 minutes before and notice the positive transformation!
Comment on this question:
How will you use AUTHENTIC positive thinking?
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Susan Liddy is the author of the “Body Benevolence eBook; 8 Weeks to Loving Your Body” and “The Secrets to Ultimate Living; What You Wish You Knew When You Were 20!”. Find more of her tips and articles to create an ultimate life and an extraordinary business here: SusanLiddy.com
©copyright, All Rights Reserved Internationally, Susan Liddy, Susan Liddy International
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