Why you should change your thinking

Photo by Francisco Moreno on Unsplash

We've been talking a lot about negative attitudes and how it affects our relationships with others and ultimately ourselves. Hanging around complainers causes people to catch their negativity. Griping, moaning, and general drama are contagious. But that's apparently not the only problems you can catch if you spend too much time with the eternally pessimistic -- you might also pick up a host of health problems too.

Science has shown that negativity rewires your brain, making it easier to see the bad in the world and harder to see the good and that negative feelings like anger, hostility, and cynicism are also terrible for you body. It can literally kill you. 

"For as he thinks within himself, so he is" Proverbs 23:7a NASB

Consider some things you need to know to change your thinking:

1. Changing your thinking is not automatic
     You have to work at it. If you have bad negative habits you will have to "rewire"your brain with a positive process. Try and take the next 21 days to positively think about what you normally think negative about

2. Changing your thinking is hard work but totally worth it. 
    Better thinking is an investment in yourself and your family. It's worth the hard work. It's worth stopping, taking a breath and re-evaluating the situation.  Find the good and move with it. This isn't ignoring the problem. It's creatively solving the problem by finding the good and moving forward.

"More gold has been mined from the minds of men than has ever been taken from the earth"
- Napoleon Hill

So we have to learn how to become a better thinker - to walk with P.M.A. (positive mental attitude). Start exposing yourself to good input and cut out the Negative Nancy's and Donny Downers in your life. Find good books, blogs or podcasts that positively speak encouragement to your heart. If something positive happens and inspires you, write it down and put it where you can see it over the next few days. Let it remind you how it felt when you were inspired to think positively. 

Next, make a conscious effort to think good thoughts. I know this sounds easy, but it;s not or we would be doing it already. The moment you start going negative stop and reflect: Where will this take me? Start looking for a new perspective and think differently.If you can't see a new perspective, call and talk to someone with a positive outlook. It's always good to let a new set of eyes look at something we may be struggling with.

Lastly, Start acting on your good thoughts. Recognize when you think positive about something you normally would be negative about and celebrate it. These small celebrations let our brain know that these positive feelings outweigh the negative and we rewire our responses. Not only do we begin to feel better, but our energy is renewed and we see ourselves moving towards more.

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