Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Power of Positive Thinking


This blog is about just that.  How can you train your mind not to dwell on the negative but to create and maintain a positive perspective in any situation?  Some of you reading this blog may be caregivers for someone who is home bound and has lost all sight of positivity.  Or maybe you yourself have fallen into your client’s or loved one’s pattern of negativity as well.  Positive and negative thinking are contagious, so I hope this information helps you to retrain your thinking and theirs.   A positive outlook will change your life! 





Most everyone would agree with the statement, “Life is what you make it.”  Although circumstances in life can dictate our surroundings, our feelings and attitude about those circumstances determine our outlook, which is what really determines quality of life.


Our clients are home bound for the most part, which means that an injury or illness has left them with dependency on others to continue living their life at home.  If you are blessed with good health, imagine the way you live now:  Independent, self-sufficient, hardworking, and needed by so many.  Now, imagine an injury leaving you completely dependent on help, unable to do for others, and unable to provide for yourself and your family.   Could you stay positive?  Could you find happiness? 
A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health, and a successful outcome.

With a positive attitude, we enjoy pleasant feelings and can envision what we really want to happen.  This puts a brightness in your eyes, more energy and happiness in your speech, and determination in your actions.  When your attitude radiates good will, happiness, and success,  you are more liked by others. They will want to see you succeed and will help support and assist you as you work toward your goals.
Here are a few tips for retraining your mind to think positively:
  • Practice imagining only beneficial and favorable situations
  • Use positive words in your thoughts and when speaking to others
  • Be aware of negative thoughts that enter your mind and replace it quickly with constructive ones.  You have to do this repeatedly, as negative thoughts recur 
  • Try reciting positive affirmations to yourself like, "I am capable of achieving my  goals", or, "Good things will happen today!"
  • Smile because smiling actually helps you to think more positively