The older I get, the more I realize just how important my attitude is to the direction my life takes.
I didn’t decide where I would be born, or in what time period. I can’t control the weather, the economy or the outcome of any political election…at least not by myself.
What I can control is my attitude. It’s the one thing I, alone, control. I’m responsible for how I choose to react to every circumstance in life.
I’m a big fan of social media. I believe it’s enabled the church to share its message with more people than ever before. But it’s not all positive. In fact, social media has also exposed us to more negativity than we’ve ever experienced before. And because of this, it’s easier than ever to drift into all out negativity in our outlook.
While I don’t believe that positive thinking solves every crisis, I do believe being positive in our outlook is always better than the alternative. It’s always helpful to assume the best about people and to stay hopeful.
The question is, if I’ve drifted into a state of negativity that has affected my relationships and personal well-being, how do I become a positive person again?
I believe you can become a more positive person overnight! And all it takes is three simple practices…
Go to bed expressing both gratitude and hopefulness.
You have no idea how powerful it is to express gratitude.
It’s powerful on a spiritual and mental level because it puts us in a healthier frame of mind. It’s powerful on a spiritual level because it reflects our hopefulness that God is in control. And it’s powerful on a physical level since our bodies were designed to release endorphins when we think thankful thoughts.
We need to express gratitude for the big things and the little things we’ve experienced both recently as well as in our past.
And we also need to express hopefulness about whatever may happen the next day. I can’t always control what’s coming, but I can believe the best in advance.
Wake up expressing both gratitude and hopefulness.
That’s right. Wake up and repeat those thoughts of both gratitude and positive expectations.
I don’t believe there’s anything mystical about this. I reject the idea that a non-living “universe” is somehow bound to magically send positive circumstances into our lives just because we think we should be happy and comfortable.
