The Power Of Positive Thinking

These days it is easy to think that there are more bad things than good things happening in the world. We are bombarded with news of death and destruction and negative discourse from many sources, and if we are to believe everything we hear, our world is spinning out of control. The glass is definitely half empty!

News about tragedies, disasters and scandals are important to know, but why focus more than we should on what will not help us to live better lives? Where is the hope and the good news? How can we start to focus on the positive things that are indeed all around us?

Dr. Jonathan J. Doll, a school safety and wellness advocate wrote an article called, “The Power of Positivity: Three Lessons to Guide Your Day”.  He offers three ways that we can focus on positivity.

  • Lesson One – Life is Hard – Life is hard and difficulties will come, but if you have a disposition of resiliency and endurance, you will be able to handle whatever comes your way.
  • Lesson Two – There are always more people doing good that those committing harm. Positive events rarely make the news when compared to the avalanche of errors that are quick to fill the airwaves. Dr. Doll says to focus on the positives we see – what is going right. Make an effort to recognize what is good and give it prominence over the shortcomings that will always exist.
  • Lesson Three – If we find a positive in every crisis, we might have the joy we long for. Our disposition in life is not influenced by what happens in our life, but by how we respond to our life.

According to Merriam-Webster, a disposition is the typical attitude or mood we have each day. This important quality reflects the tendency for how we act in life’s circumstances.

“I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not on our circumstances.”
– Martha Washington (1732-1802)

“No exact recipe for today. Gather all available ingredients and whip yourself up some delicious!”
– Lin- Manuel Miranda

– Becky Lynn is a writer for EllisDownHome.com. She and her husband Bob enjoy spending time with their 8 grandchildren and traveling. Becky loves cranking up the music and heading to the kitchen to try out new recipes or cook for an upcoming party. She is passionate about continuing to be a life-long learner!

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