Staying Positive
If you have ever found yourself feeling down
or found it hard to stay upbeat when things just weren’t going well, then you are
not alone. According to author Rose Alexander’s article “12 ways to Keep a Positive Attitude,” it is an
everyday challenge to maintain a positive attitude. While it is impossible to
exclude self-confidence that is reinforced by positive affirmations, it takes constant
effort (Alexander). A person who has a positive attitude all the time is often called an optimist. An optimist believes that good things will come their
way. If something bad happens, an
optimist will write it off to something out of their control or as a single
incident that won't be repeated; they are the ones who are always imagining
the best possible outcome to everything. It is truly amazing how a positive attitude
can affect all aspects of your life. There are many benefits to a positive attitude. It reduces stress,
builds self-esteem and confidence, and even improves health to name a few. You may even find your positive attitude
changing others around you. There are many ways and different things you can do
to maintain a positive attitude throughout life.
Positive attitudes can help people to have better mental and physical health. A positive person is often found to have less
stress, almost no depression, and the ability to cope with unusual matters, no
matter how big or small. Chris IIiades,
MD, author of “Get Happy: The Real Power of Positive Thinking," tells how a positive outlook can reduce the
chances of heart problems and heart disease (IIiades). Eva Ritvo, MD, vice-chair
of department of psychiatry and behavioral science at the University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine in Florida also states that “positive thinking improves
mental health and reduces stress.” Ritvo then goes on to explain how positive thinking can be the path to success and forming better
relationships. If you have less stress, you can be more creative, you
will feel better physically and mentally, and you will have more energy with the ability
to focus on what is important. The Mayo
Clinic published the article “Positive Thinking: Reduces Stress by Eliminating
Negative Self Talk.” This article describes another theory about how a person with a positive
attitude tends to live a longer healthier life.
They will also have a getter resistance to the common cold and a reduced
risk of heart problems in the future (Mayo Clinic).
A
positive attitude helps build self esteem and confidence. Positive thinking will create
motivation, and individuals who focus on the positive have the ability to set goals and accomplish them,
always finding a solution instead of letting a wall of negativity stop them. If you
find yourself having a problem staying positive, you will need to figure out
the problem if it cannot be changed the only alternative is to change yourself
or change the way you look at the problem.
With a positive attitude you will also be able to see opportunities not
otherwise seen. A positive attitude will
give you the confidence needed to act on these opportunities and therefore
becoming a more successful person (IIiades).
Success in anything and everything begins with attitude and by having a
positive attitude there is no way you can fail.
There are many things
a person can do to maintain their positive attitude. In the article “12 Ways to
Keep a Positive Attitude,” Alexander lists ways to maintain positivity, no matter how big or small a person may think their problem
may be. She lists in order these steps to follow: be thankful for the things that
are taken for granted, count your personal blessings, do a good deed without
telling anyone this will make you feel better about yourself. Forgive and let go of bad feelings,
complement someone, take in the view, and smile or listen to a song. From
country to rap, chart toppers to one hit wonders can lift your spirits. Making their mark in popular
music are positive songs like “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bob Marley,” It’s A Beautiful
Day” by U2, “ Somewhere Over the
Rainbow” by Judy Garland,” I’m Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and The
Waves, “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi,” I
Believe I can fly” by R. Kelly. “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive” by Travis Tritt
and “Feels Like Today” by Rascal Flatts to name a few country artists. Followed
by “An Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Elisha Keys, “G.R.I.N.D. (Get Ready
its A New Day) by Asher Roth both hip- hop artists. In all types of music there are songs that inspire and lift you up when feeling down. There are also several little
proverbs you can remember: “You can catch more bees with honey,” “Don’t sweat the
small stuff,” Even the longest journey begins with a single step,” “Every
cloud has a silver lining,” and “The glass is half full” just to name a few. Repeating these helpful steps will help you
become a more positive, happier person.
And don't forget to help others. As Alexander says, “Share your positive attitude with others to make the world a better
place!”(Alexander).
It's possible to help others develop a more positive way of thinking. A simple compliment, a warm smile or even just
a friendly wave has the ability to affect a person not expecting to receive one;
it can put a spring in a step or a gleam in an eye and can be the beginning of
confidence. Adrienne Fox, author of the article
“Power of Positive Thinking in the Work Place," tells of a nonprofit
organization called Centre for Applied Positive Psychology(CAPP) based in
Coventry, England which helps companies train employees to be happier and more
positive in the work place. A person can easily be motivated with positive and
encouraging words as simple as “great job” or “good work”. A simple “hello” or “good morning” can start
the day off a positive foot rather than no greeting at all and a feeling of
being a body not a person. Most people
like being acknowledged. Giving more focus on the positive things
that the employee is doing will result in the employee to build their
performance and strengths. Therefore resulting in better work habits, more efficient
employees and an overall better work place (Fox).
In
everyday life, you will come across that occasional negative attitude. If it comes from a
friend or co-worker, you might listen and then try to change the subject. If that does not work you, might try to point
out some of the better things in their otherwise bad situation. When doing this I have found that the
negative person will eventually agree. When
dealing with a family member, you can always remind them of the positive things. If their negative attitude is very strong and they will not budge, I have found
that it is nice to greet them, then stay away. They may approach you and that is
okay. Just kill them with kindness. If they don’t like it they will walk
away. Then, there is the case of the negative
attitude of a cashier or receptionist. Most of the time, I find myself overwhelming them with kindness. Using please and thank you and smiling gets me through. I then will remind myself
that their negativity has nothing to do with me followed by a feeling of
sadness for them not being able to smile.
I will usually end with have a nice day and a warm smile.
Having a positive
attitude in life leads to happier healthy living, a strong mental state, less
stress, and it may even be contagious. It is not about what happens to you, but
how you react to it. Only you can make a
situation better, so smile and make the best of it. The only person that is truly affected is you.
Remember a positive attitude leads to a healthier life with fewer chances of
heart problems, a lower chance to have the common cold, it will reduce stress,
and helps build self esteem and confidence therefore making you more
successful. In the long run a positive attitude will reward you every moment of
everyday. There is no way you can go wrong with a positive attitude.
--Misty Little-Bitsuie
Works Cited
Alexander, Rose.“12 Ways to Keep a
Positive Attitude.” Lifescript.com. Lifescript. 1999. Web. 29
Mar 2013.
Fox, Adrienne.”Power of Positive
Thinking in the Work Place.” Society for Human Resource
Management.
Society for Human Resource Management. 23 Apr 2008. Web. 28 Mar 2013.
IIiades, Chris. “Get Happy: The
Real Power of Positive Thinking.”Everydayhealth.com.
Every Day Health. 13 Oct 2013. Web. 27 Mar 2013.
Every Day Health. 13 Oct 2013. Web. 27 Mar 2013.
Mayo Clinic Staff. ”Positive Thinking: Reduces Stress by Eliminating Negative Self Talk.” Mayo
Clinic.com. Mayo Clinic.
1 Apr 2013.
“Positive Thinking.” Healthseachers .org. HC Search
Corporation. 2006. Web. 28 Mar 2013.
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