6 Ways to be Positive in Any Situation
The power of remaining positive, whatever the situation, can never be underestimated. We are all here for a limited period of time, is it worth it to spend any of that time in a dismal mood? Being negative?
The true test of an individual to remain positive is when challenges become difficult. Remaining positive keeps one’s mind in the right state of balance and often opens resolutions to the problems at hand. Negativity is contagious; not only does it affect the individual, but it spreads to anyone they interact with. When only the negative perspective is in focus, the resolution process is impeded.
Eliminating negativity, or rather, being positive is a mindset that can be found at any moment, and turned into a habit. Here are some tips that can help you in shifting your mindset:
- Shift Your Thoughts – Be conscious of your thoughts. Especially, when life just isn’t going your way. The moment you see that you are diving into frustration, agony, sorrow and low self-esteem – shift your thoughts, by thinking about something completely unrelated. This breaks the pattern of self-pity, mind-created stories, and negative downward spiral. What makes us different from other mammals is our ability to control our thoughts and think for ourselves.
- Find the Lesson – There is a lesson to be learned from every situation. No matter how unfortunate the situation may appear, recognize the beautiful lessons waiting to be discovered. Sometimes lessons are expensive, but every problem is a learning opportunity in disguise. You may have made a mistake, but now you can accept it and continue, knowing that you will make a different decision in the future. Understand this and be appreciative for the experience.
- Attitude of Gratitude – You cannot be both angry and grateful at the same time. Start counting the blessings and miracles in your life, start looking for them and you shall find more. What’s there not to be grateful? You are alive and breathing! Realize how lucky you are and all the abundance in your life.
- Positive Affirmations & Visualization – Practice seeing yourself in a positive and confident light. Do this whenever you have a few minutes (examples; Waiting for a friend, sitting on the bus, riding an elevator.) Self-affirmations (list of positive statements about yourself and your self image) are another simple and powerful tool to train your subconscious to see yourself in a positive light. This is important, as many of us can be so hard on ourselves though social conditioning. I am guilty of being extra tough on myself, but have learned over time to recognize my gifts rather than finding false and self-imposed inadequacies.
- Inventory of Memories – Keep an inventory of memories that can immediately make you smile. Occasions where you felt happy, appreciative and cheerful. When you were at peace with the world. Whenever you are in a negative frame of mind, consciously and deliberately pick up any leaf out of this inventory and dwell on it. Reminiscing those happy moments gives a balanced perspective to your situation. You realize that what appears negative today will change tomorrow. Nothing stays the same.
- Criticizing Detox Diet – Change your approach and attitude. See if you can stop criticizing others and situations. Our cultural conditioning teaches us to find flaws and problems at all times. Shift from fault-finding to appreciation-finding.
Whether you are positive or negative, the situation does not change. So, we mind as well be positive.
As with any habit, the habit of remaining positive in all situations takes practice and a commitment to yourself to take control. But start small, start paying attention to your emotions, start by wanting to change. I am working on this constantly, and I am here with you, working towards better understanding of my emotions and becoming a better person. Keep going at it, and you will gradually become a positive energy source for the others around you! Wouldn’t that be empowering?
Thank you so much for the kind words. I feel so much better :-)
Just a note, from the perspective of somebody with a negative mental attitude. The dog pic is a really bad idea, unless you are only interested in people who already think in a habitually positive manner reading this.
You’ve got to remember that people who think in a habitually negative manner are prone to cynicism. The smiling little dog essentially serves as a barrier between the habitually negative thinker and the article.
Those who feel otherwise probably don’t need to read the article, beyond killing a bit of time reading something they know they’d already agree with; they knew that the second they saw the doggie pic.
Great article!
Depression is one of the major diseases affecting our society today. There are ways to change gear into a positive mindset and this website has listed some great ones.
If you have a story that you would like to share of how you changed ‘one of those days’ into ‘one of those great days’, write to us at stories@oneofthosedays.org. We would love to hear from you and share your stories with the world.
~James~
I deeply thank you for this. I am familiar with many of the principles and practice aspects of these for years. However, having been creator/director of my own successful program; in optimum health; financially sound (all of these for many years), then having them taken away from me, some by others outright Evil(!) it has been the most difficult time of my entire life, emotionally, physically, mentally, etc., challenging all I had believed in.
Yet….I go on….somehow….someway. In good part with the help of loved ones and friends, but, also, with my remaining hopes.
Thank you very much for these needed reminders and may all of the potential blessings of Life come our way, and Humanity build a world of Peace, Love, Justice, Health and Truth…
Warmly,
Larry
I very much appreciated this article! also your pom is adorable!
I grew up serious but have recently realized that I don’t want people to mistake me for a robot. We are human, let’s live!
Thanks a lot for this beautifull article. some things and some problems are global. It doesn’t matter what country u live the solutions are the same.
im a negative person,and i have been that way forever.sometimes i try to be positive,but it seem so hard.is so cool that there is people out there,trying to make other people realize that positive is the way.im so glad i read this,cause just by thinking how bless im and my family, i know inside me is time to change…..god bless
Tina article is really nice but how to make ourself away from negativity if we are surrounded by negative people, my husnand keep on degrading me and gives me mental torture, how to avoid him…..sometimes i feel helpless. Can someone help me please by sharing some thoughts on this
First point mentioned is really helpful. I am very brave person. But,when i keep on hearing negative speech(when others say), i am becoming totally collapsed. Its taking long time for me to come out of that.
I really nourished the thoughts of reading your post on Positiveness, it enlightened my thoughts, as I live day by day being positive with any situation that arises , I find that a negative that arises in front of me ,an alarm bell is triggered off and I distinguish promptly to get rid of it completely and replace it with a positive one,I can tell you it feels fantastic to have that power to do so
I find that like many my default setting is negative; but being aware of this, and being mindful of negative thoughts and emotions, goes a long way to preventing it being an issue. Sometimes I have a bad day, but don’t we all? I just pick myself up, smile and DO SOMETHING POSITIVE :0)
Hi Tina,
Its awesome. I would also trying to get rid of negative thinking, attitude etc.
Please pray for me to gain success.
// Shaheen
I m in most challenging situation today, worry,sad, self pity and etc. Your articles give me some comforting and i want to apply all the methods in this article.
Many thanks Su.
I like your ideas of being positive and how you put them in words. At a time of stress, other than self-help books, I need this. Thank you.
At this very moment, I am grateful to have seek positivity and to have landed on your blog. Thank you for the simple yet so profound explanation on how to incorporate a way of life that is beneficial for the human race. I do my best to practice your advice daily (prior to reading your blog) and you are absolutely right about the challenge on a day-to-day.
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Thank you so much for this great article. Great ideas. I’m using this for my English class.
Thank you so much x