NOTE:***This is a guest post by Nancy Parris. She has accumulated a tremendous life experience ranging from the very positive to the very negative. Today she is sharing her experiences and knowledge related to positivity. ***
The power of positive thinking seems to have fallen out of favor with many. Perhaps it is due to the fact that nothing seems to change for the better…or does it? Is it a matter of perception or are we simply viewing the world through genetically static lenses? If so, then is it possible that we are creating all this bad news unconsciously? Is it possible to change our biology along with our collective experience and what role does positive thinking play in all this?
Epigenetics
The field of study called Epigenetics may speak to this. As I understand it, our lifestyles and environments can change the way our genes are expressed. I can’t even begin to think of all the significant ways this might apply to not only our understanding of ourselves but give us some tools for impacting our lives both on an individual and a collective level. The crux of it seems to be that our DNA is fixed for life but the Epigenome is both flexible and responds to the environment. A really simple and excellent illustration can be found here. Further, the personality traits of optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of health and well-being according to the Mayo Clinic.
Positive Thinking
Positive thinking it seems to me is something we not only can, but also perhaps should learn. There are many layers to our consciousness but choosing and perceptions are central to creating the kind of life that is rich and fulfilling despite whatever circumstances one is experiencing. The more I learn about all of the “junk stuff” that I have collected in this lifetime alone that dictates how I react to and define my environment; I am amazed at the sheer enormity of it!
However, I also know we have progressed and rediscovered ways of dealing with sub-conscious programming and re-defining our experiences in a way that contributes to our over-all wellbeing. Therefore, I believe cultivating a positive outlook is vital to the way we see, interpret, and react to our surroundings, which in turn can affect our very biology. This can and I believe will affect not only our lives but also those lives, which are connected to us.
If enough people make the choice to view the cup half full instead of half empty, I believe it will be reflected further in the world at large. In my opinion, it is the half empty cup which contributes to the pathology of fear which is expressed in greed, war, poverty, and most of the ills which we confront everyday in the news, TV, etc. In other words, we are allowing ourselves to be programmed by pessimism and the ensuing hopelessness of it all. We have a responsibility to attend to our own life and to do so in a more conscious manner.
Engaging the power of positive thinking is but one tool among many that are available to help us effect the needed change in our lives. I will close with a familiar quote by Mahatma Gandhi; “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
5 Comments
Hey Nancy,
Get rid of negativity by thinking positive. Simple but true – and effective.
That doesn’t mean being blindingly optimistic. Rather, keep an open, realistic perspective on things, but when faced with choices, focus on the positive. What you can do to make something better rather than dwelling on the drawbacks. Appreciating what you have instead of complaining what you don’t (while still working to achieve more).
It’s interesting to notice that most people that focus on the negative spend more time complaining than doing, while those with a positive attitude are out there doing.
A simple way–and what’s helped me greatly–is to surround yourself with positive people. When I started thinking positive and not focusing on the negatives, I began lifting off the ground before being abruptly pulled down by people I was around at the time. “Get real. Stop daydreaming. Fairytales. Life is just like that. Shit happens and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Or even if no one explicitly put me down, not seeing much positivity (and doing) made me doubt and say those things to myself.
But the more positive people I started befriending (and shedding off the older friends – no disrespect, simply not a compatible match relationship-wise is the way I see it), the easier it became to be positive and get rid of negativity. Instead of saying why something won’t work, these people would say why not. They’d help me figure out how I could do it (rather than point out why I can’t), and encourage me to keep going. Plus, seeing them focus on the positive and doing things would constantly inspire me to do the same.
By focusing on the positive–realistic rather than blindingly optimistic–you naturally shed the negative. After all, you don’t have time dwell on drawbacks or point out why something doesn’t work – you’re too busy living life and doing things to make it better.
Best,
Oleg
PS. Thanks for the link on the side Tom! Humbled and appreciated :)
Hey Oleg:
Once again I appreciate your visit and an insightful comment! Supportive environment is key to jumpstart a positive change. Best of luck with your site and I hope you get some visits from this humble link.
Best,
Tomas
I totally agree with what you say. When we truly begin to change our outlook and way of doing things, old relationships sometimes suffer. I also prefer to surround myself with cooperative, like-minded people that support me. Of course, I try to do the same.
hey nancy :)
can really feel that deep viscose desire to make things better, just things, everything, – it comes across, and it’s really inspiring.
and i def agree that being positive and optimistic and real can change the world. really.
though i think phrasing it as a decision is simultaneously too simple and too complex. see, on the one hand, it is a decision. you can reach a point where you let go of all your excuses and bleh and just realise that living constructively is not only better for you, and everyone else, but is actually easier. but at the same time, it’s often not that simple and people feel guilty and give up when it isn’t – when in actual fact it’s the sum of all their “mini realities”, and years of habit, that keeps them stuck in it – and in those cases, “deciding to be positive” just duddn’t work.
all-round-smoldering-yumness :)
keep well nancy. and in touch.
alex – unleash reality
Hey Alex:
Even though I am not the author of the post. I still wanted to thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I really appreciate your time.
I agree that thinking positive is no easy task if you are condition to thinking negatively. Undoing the programing of the mind is harder than it seems, but start is important. Even the longest journeys start with the first step, right?
Once again thank you and I hope to see you coming back.
Best,
Tomas