Positive Thinking: Polyanna Syndrome

Why do we have such a downer on Pollyanna? After all, she is just a little girl with a big dose of positive mental attitude. Instead of mocking, may we should learn something from her. I'm not saying we have to turn into Pollyanna, but when you think about it, positive thinking is the only sensible way forward. Our thinking creates our reality, so isn't it just a bit daft to be creating our reality based on negative thinking? When we realise this, we understand we cannot afford the luxury of negative thinking.

As Einstein said, "we are boxed in by the boundary conditions of our thinking." Mind management is essentially the key to life management, and we all have the power to choose what we think. It may take time and effort to break the habit of negative thinking, but that is just what it is, a habit. So the trick is to cultivate a new habit of looking for the positive. And the first step is to catch yourself when you are thinking negatively. It may shock you just how many of those 60,000 thoughts that run through your mind every day are of the negative variety. Perhaps when you catch yourself thinking negatively, you can turn it into a positive "but". Whatever it is, look hard for something way to turn it around by seeing an advantage. Focus on the fact that your outer world reflects your inner world, so which way would you rather think? Create the habit of positive thinking.

A good tool for this is daily affirmations. These are sayings repeated on a daily basis to manifest a more positive reality. It is a way of harnessing the power of words for your benefit because your reality starts with a thought. Help the mind along a more positive path. Just remember the rule with affirmations is that they must be personal, present and positive, for example "today I achieve everything I want effortlessly" rather than "today I will not have any problems". You can start with something simple like "I choose Happiness" or "I create my own reality". You can write them, say them, sing them, it's up to you, but a minimum of six times a day is good.

As the saying goes, whether you tell yourself you can or tell yourself you can't do something, you are right. So what have you got to lose by thinking positive?

Frances Hall

After many years working in film and music, Frances changed career direction to find what for her is a more fulfilling way to live. Now an accredited life coach, massage therapist and writer, she is doing what she'd rather be doing - helping people get the most out of their lives. Her intention is to "Liberate, Inspire, Focus, Empower". Check out http://www.lifematters.gb.com