LEARNING TO LIVE WITH POSITIVE THINKING – KATTIKIRO

Why there are so many variations in the way people thinking? Why similar circumstances do brings about different reactions?  To a greater extent, this is due to the fact that different persons perceive and process information in very different ways. John gets upset when it rains: ‘Rain makes me nervous; umbrellas are nuisance, traffic slows down, people slip and hurt themselves....’ he said. On the other hand Jane assesses the fact differently: “I like the smell of wet soil, rain cleans the air, birds are happier and plants and flowers grow”. Their respectively attitudes touch their work, family friends and everyday events. As a result, John experiences the bitter side of things while Jane enjoys the sweetness of life. 

Healthy and optimistic thinking:

      Causes of good mood:

·         Helps maintain optimal social interactions

·         Increases school achievement and work performance

·         Blocks anxiety

·         Enhances self-esteem

·         Reduces pain and other somatic symptoms

·         Strengthens the immune system

·         Helps patients recover from illness and from surgical treatments.

HOW TO THINK POSITIVELY

To reject negative thoughts and substitute them with alternative positive options constitutes a good way to obtain a positive thinking style.

Pessimistic thoughts tend to take over the person automatically and without following any logical pattern. It is therefore important to learn to identify such thoughts and to change the thinking style. Positive thinking must be an on going, permanent style of mental activity. It should also extend to all (or most all) life aspects.

The following areas need considerations:- 

·         Positive thinking about one self:

Try and avoid building your self-concept by comparing your self with TV stars and individuals from public life. They all portray unreal images. Accept your limitations and do something to improve these.  Above all, do not forget to underline your values and abilities. Stop and reject self-deprecating thoughts.

·         Positive thinking about the post:

The past can not be changed. Accept it even though it may contains unpleasant events. But do not blame the past for your present difficulties. That is useless. Never get obsessed with the disagreeable past. And as far as past positive events and anecdotes, remember them and enjoy them. Your attitude will improve and turn more positive.

·         Positive thinking about the future:

The future can be changed. Your attitude today affects tomorrow’s events. When you think with confidence and hope about tomorrow, you are increasing the probability of a much more successful future. And if something negative approaches, make plans now to prevent it instead of becoming anxious.

·         Positive thinking about people and the environment:

Put your “rose-coloured glasses” and look around. Not everything is perfect, but there are beautiful things and pleasant experiences. Do not grow suspicious of other people. Trust them and respect them and make efforts to feel affection towards them. Try to understand problem of others. Help them and you will see how your attitude becomes sweeter.

Many are dominated by irrational beliefs – ideals without logical sense that are able to cause unhappiness and even disorders. For example:

o   We are permanently surrounded by dangers and risks; it is natural to always feel worried and fearful.

o   Unhappy and unfortunate people can do nothing to improve their situation.

o   In order for me to be happy and to live in peace with myself, I must be loved and receive approval from everyone who knows me.’

o   There is always a perfect solution to every problem and if that solution is not realized, disastrous consequences follow.’ 

The above statements are fallacies and those living by them may experience psychological pain and even unhappiness. Make every effort to identify and analyses your favorite irrational beliefs. Reason logically I order to reject these thoughts and accept better alternatives. 

HOPE AS A FACTORS IN GOOD THINKING

Filling our mind with spiritual thoughts and themes   can be a safe way to attain mental peace. A peaceful conscience and a serene mind bring about an optimal mood. Meditation  in the sacred messages contained  in the Bible produces  mental peace  (read  the quotes  included  in the  following  tables  several  times). Try praying to God and tell him of your painful experiences. Trust in God. He will take care of you.

MIND CONTROL

People carry a general tendency to either positive or negative thinking. This tendency depends, to a great extent, on the continuous and automatic inner dialogue style that takes place within the person. In order to eliminate adverse thinking habits and search for positive alternatives to help solve situations, it is absolutely necessary to know the types of dialogue within ourselves.

Consider the following thoughts and their alternative options. Then think of your own typical mental reactions and write them down together with a good thinking alternative: 

Negative self-dialogue	Alternative
‘All this is horrible’	‘It is not that bad. It could be worse’
‘This is useless’	‘There must be something good.....’
‘This man is a pain’	‘I can learn something from this man’
‘My cold will end up in pneumonia’	‘I’ll soon recover from my cold’

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