The power of positive thought...

I was reading an article in Good Housekeeping today entitled, I can stay calm by M.J. Ryan. In this article she talks about the real science and benefits behind those 'think positive' thoughts and the actions they propel us towards.

We have all seen the braclets, t-shirts, bumper stickers and even framed art that have affirmations or positive statements on them. My mother is always telling me to speak nicely to myself and that I would never talk to anyone else in the same disparaging way that I speak to and about myself; once again, mother knows best.

They say it isn't the words or phrase that have the power, but it is our positive intent that these words and phrases embody that give us the power to chase and catch our dreams. Studies have found that when we expect a particular outcome, our brains prepare for that anticipated positive or negative outcome. When we expect a postive outcome, our minds start filtering information in anticipation of that positive outcome. For example, the positive placebo effect that occurs when you expect a medication to work. It is looking at the glass half full.

First, Ryan suggests that we start small, setting a limited, definable goal that you believe is attainable.
Second, you need to REALLY WANT 'IT', whatever 'it' is.
Third, believe that you can get there.
Fourth, make the thought or statement positive and to the point ... I'm fit and healthy, rather than I'm not fat.
Fifth, imagine it vividly... try to imagine yourself as you want to be... how would you look? how would you feel?
Sixth, write it down and post it where you can see it everday, then review and repeat the goal you have set up for yourself.

My positive thought...
I am slim, healthy, and beautiful...

This might seem pointless to some, because as a size 4/6 I guess I am slim, but I still have some trouble seeing it sometimes. So, I'm going to work on seeing myself as slender and healthy. I also have a hard time seeing myself as beautiful. I keep seeing the glass half empty, seeing the bulges I still have, the sags, wrinkles and turkey neck. So, I am working on seeing myself as though I were looking at someone else and being more gentle and forgiving.

What's your positive thought?

 We can be our own worst enemies. The standards we as humans set in order to feel like we fit into a certain aspect of life many times limits our options. For instance if we lived where the sun beat down on us all the time or the wind whipped against our skin would we not look more weathered than others. I don't think we are able at times to come to terms with who we are until we resign the fact that some things are just going to be like they are. I like your positive thought yet in the next paragraph you have the gloves back on and critique yourself to some standard that you seem to need to fit into. It amazes me how conscience so many of us can get to feel that if we have this so called problem then we wont be able to function in society. Think about it this way. If you only had one arm and one leg and one eye and one ear then you might have a little something to say about the glass being half empty. Get up in the morning and be thankful that your healthy, basically a good person and the those that are near to you are loved. Other than that the skin deep stuff will only be skin deep its the heart and how it beats that makes our souls shine. 

And for my positive thought.. 

Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is the future, Live today as if it is your last and then when the sun comes up the next morning do it all over again. Tell the people you love that you love them as much as you can. 

I like your positive thought.