Fortunately, one of the few things in life that we have complete control over is our attitude and our thoughts. Nobody can decide how we feel or think except for us. Every one of us will be faced with adversity at one point or another. The same political, economic, and social wind blows on us all. The difference lies in the set of the sail. In other words, how we respond to the wind is what determines our future. We can choose to focus on the negative or the positive. We can pretend to be a victim of something out of our control or decide to take action and change our circumstances.
A Positive Mental Attitude means seeing the opportunities, benefits, and good in every situation rather than the obstacles, drawbacks, and bad. A Positive Mental Attitude is asking how it can be done rather than assuming that it is impossible or too difficult. For example:
Rachel and John have both lost everything they had in the recent real estate crash. Rachel asks herself, "What can I learn from my experiences? What mistakes were made, and how can I avoid them in the future? How can I emerge from this setback as a stronger, more financially educated person?" John, on the other hand, hangs his head in shame and assumes no responsibility for his loss. He laments, "The real estate market crashed. There was nothing I could do about it. It's the government's fault. People just aren't buying houses."
We can see their futures clearly. Rachel will probably bounce back, persist, and make a fortune in the next real estate boom. John will probably spend the rest of his life unhappy and ashamed, blaming the government or other people for his misfortune.
Positive Mental Attitude is the driving force behind persistence and perseverance. It is what separates the winners from the losers, the successful from the unsuccessful, the happy from the unhappy. Positive Mental Attitude is what keeps successful people going even after tremendous setbacks. Take Thomas Edison, for example. He tried and failed dozens of times before finally creating the world's first incandescent light bulb. Or JK Rowling: she was a poor single mother, and 30-something publishers rejected her first Harry Potter novel. Imagine that!
After you adopt a Positive Mental Attitude, you will find more opportunities, successes, and good luck in your life than ever before. You will start seeing the good in the bad, opportunities in times of difficulty, and small successes in failures. Indeed, like attracts like, so the more positively you think, the more positive things you attract to your life. Positive Mental Attitude is like a snowball that continues to grow stronger with every positive event you attract. Negative thoughts do the same, and for this reason, it is very difficult for most negative people to make the necessary paradigm shift. They are so focused on life's negatives that they become blind to their many blessings, including life itself.
Positive Mental Attitude takes years of practice to master. Here are some simple steps:
- Analyze events that appear negative and look for the positive. Making lists helps.
- Surround yourself with positive people. By looking at your friends, you can begin to comprehend who you are deep down. Negativity is contagious! Let go of negative friends and spend time with people who make you feel good inside, people who want you to be successful, people who add rather than drain energy.
- Read inspiring, motivational books. Listen to positive material. Avoid the news!
- If you catch yourself thinking negatively, STOP IMMEDIATELY! Make a list of positive things in your life.
Once you master Positive Mental Attitude, you will attract more positive people and events into your life than you ever thought possible. You will find abundance and blessings everywhere. Be positive!