Is there power in positive thinking?
"Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a
peaceful state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful,
contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be
pleasant and successful."
These words, which were spoken by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, leave my mind wondering. Can we really change the outcome of our lives through our thinking?
Peale also said, "We tend to get what we expect." If this is the case, maybe we really can make our lives what they need to be by changing our thinking patterns. As I ponder this way of thinking, I realize that turning our minds into breeding grounds for positive thinking, cannot harm us in anyway. Therefore, what can it hurt to turn our thoughts to positive, healthy thoughts.
I used to work with a wonderful lady, who advised me to get out of bed every morning and enthusiastically proclaim, "I'm happy; I'm healthy; I'm terrific!" I remember thinking at the time how crazy this advice sounded. However, she planted a seed in my heart that would begin to grow and sprout up a positiveness that would have the power to bring me through many circumstances.
This morning I was surfing through the television channels and happened upon Joyce Meyer, a practical Bible teacher. She was explaining to a group of people that our thoughts can help or harm us. We must change our thinking patterns into positive thinking. She said we have to make our minds up that we are going to overcome any negative thoughts that come against us. Meyer suggested speaking positive thoughts out loud for a while. This, she said, will help us to make the positive words louder then the negative thoughts in our minds.
I believe that there is much truth in the statements made by Peale, Meyer and my co-worker. It is our job to decide how we will handle life. If I am caught up in a negative thinking pattern, it will affect everything I do. I have experienced days such as this. I end up being in a bad mood, which rubs off on those close to me. Therefore, because of my negative attitude, I have caused not only my day to be unpleasant, but also the day of those close to me. On the flip side, if I walk around with a positive attitude, I will feel better, and I will not be responsible for weighing down those who are close to me.
Do I think that if I have positive thoughts I will not ever encounter problems? Absolutely not, but I do think that how well I come through problems that arise will depend on my thinking pattern. Another quote from Peale gives proof that he agrees with this.
"How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself - so always think positively."
I am coming to the conclusion that the greatest battles that we will fight during a day occur in our minds. It is our choice whether we will let the negative prevail, or if we will develop a positiveness that will trample out the destructiveness that negative thinking can bring.