An Experiment In Positive Thinking
by Dr. John H. Sklare
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. ~ Carl Bard
I write a lot about the power of positive thinking. I have been an advocate of positive thinking for as long as I can remember and have always touted its benefits. There is no doubt in my mind that those who find success in this wonderful life, flood their minds and bodies with the spirit of positive thinking. What I would like to offer you today is one way to inject more positive thinking into your day.
Those of you who are working on creating a healthier life and body could move yourself light-years down the Yellow Brick Road if you would only practice positive thinking. The simple act of thinking positive thoughts triggers your brain to release positive chemicals that literally flood your body. This, in turn, creates a healthier and more capable internal environment. Learning to inject positive thinking into your day is critical to feeling better and creating healthy change.
For example, here is one thing I occasionally do during group meetings. I ask each participant to write a positive message on his or her paper and then hold it up for everyone to see. The message that I ask them to write might be something like this: I HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE WITHIN ME AND I AM READY TO COMMIT TO A NEW LIFESTYLE TODAY.
I tell them that, even if they don't believe it and even if they feel like nothing could be further from the truth at the moment, to write it anyway. I then thank them for playing along and then ask them to briefly tell me what it felt like to think that thought and write those words. This is where it gets very interesting. The simple act of considering that thought and writing those words changes the way they feel. It is truly an amazing exercise and demonstrates the incredible power of positive thinking.
So let's conduct a little experiment here. In the spirit of positive thinking, let me ask you to also try this activity. Stop reading for a moment, write down that statement on a piece of paper and see how it makes you feel. Go ahead, I'll wait.
Very interesting, isn't it? The simple act of forcing that positive thought into your mind shakes things up a bit. Just think about how powerful this can be if you create a few very personal statements and repeat them to yourself regularly throughout your day. It's even more powerful if you do this in front of a mirror while looking yourself right in the eye. I get goose bumps just thinking about it!
The bottom line is this: YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE THOUGHT BEFORE YOU CAN CREATE THE ACTION. When all is said and done, change begins with the thoughts you think. So, what do you think?
Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom? ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Additional Resources
Creating the Best Year of Your Life
Be Your Own Friend --Living authentically
Achieving Goals & Removing Blocks to Success audiotape
Back to Article Index |