I am going to ask you to something different right now. First of all, I want you to listen to your thoughts. Now tell me, about the thoughts that fill your head? Would you label them as positive, or negative?
Now let's say you are in the checkout line with these thoughts. Do you think anyone who would meet you would be able to tell you what’s on your mind?
The answer to number one is up to you. But, the answer number two can be pretty generic. Although people will not be able to tell you exactly what you think, they will more or less have an idea of how you are feeling. It is visible on your countenance.
Here's another question. When you enter a party filled with friends, do they get all silent as if something terrible had happened? Or does everybody there perk up as if waiting for something exciting to happen? Are you a treat... or a threat?
You know what? The answer to all these depends on your frame of mind.
Thoughts are very powerful.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. Prov. 18:21
Inner thoughts affect your general attitude. The attitude you carry reflects on your appearance, too – unless, of course, you are a great actor.
And it doesn't end there. Your attitude can also affect people around you.
The type of attitude you carry depends on you. It can be either positive or negative.
Positive thoughts have a healing effect. They are admittedly contageous. Plus, the people around the person carrying positive thoughts are usually energized by this type of attitude.
Negative thoughts on the other hand have a sapping effect on other people. Aside from making you look gloomy and sad, negative thoughts can turn a festive gathering into a funeral wake.
A positive attitude attracts people, while a negative attitude repels them. People tend to shy away from those who carry a negative attitude. "Oh, there's Grumple Stillskin! Let's go the other way."
You have much to gain from a very positive attitude. For one, studies have shown that a positive attitude promotes better health.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Prov. 17:22
Those with this kind of attitude also have more friends. projecting a positive attitude also helps one to handle stress and problems better than those who have a negative attitude.
A positive attitude begins with a healthy self-image. This is not as the world portrays it. This is in effect, seeing ourselves the way God has proclaimed us. Sanctified? Beloved?
A negative attitude, on the other hand, has, of course, an opposite effect. So, carrying a negative attitude has a twofold drawback. You feel bad about yourself, and you make others feel the same way.
If you want to have a positive attitude, you have to feature healthy thoughts. This is probably very hard to do nowadays since, all around us, the media feeds us nothing but negative thoughts. This is true for Marxist, state-run media as well as Conservative sources. A study shows that for every 14 things a parent says to his or her child, only one is positive. This is truly a saddening thought.
If you want a healthier outlook in life, you need to think happy thoughts, and you have to hear positive things as well. So, what can you do? Well, for starters, you could see a funny movie, you could play with children, spend some time telling jokes with friends. All these activities fill you with positive stimuli, which in turn promotes positive attitude. But you can also simply obey the Word of God.
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Phil. 4:4-8
Although it is impossible to keep ourselves from the negative things around us, you can still carry a positive attitude by focusing on the good things, the positive things in life.
And this positive attitude you now carry can be of benefit to other people. Sometimes when other people feel down, the thing people mostly do is try to give them advice. But sometimes, all they need is somebody to sit by them, and listen to them. If you have a positive attitude you may be able to cheer them up without even having to say anything.
As always, if you are beset by troubles, even in your darkest hour, focus on the good things in life, you will always have hope. Problems become something you can overcome.
So, what's not to like about a positive attitude? Cast down your grumpiness and adopt a smile today.
