Thinking positively in times of trouble.....

I think you make a very valid point. I know it is hard to stay positive and believe there is something better to come. I think those who have a permanent positive outlook are the kind who bad things hardly ever happen to and they get resolved quickly. For those of us who aren't so lucky, it is hard to think positive. I had someone not long ago tell me to "think lucky and be lucky". Well, I can tell you that it doesn't work. It is extremely difficult to make yourself think positively if everything is going wrong for you and even if you do think positively, things still go wrong and it makes us feel even worse than if we had have expected things to go wrong. I am all for positivity but I am also all for being realistic.

It is just as true that we are surrounded by positives as it is that we are surrounded by problems. Problems are not in and of themselves negative. They can be viewed a challenges. And challenges are neither negative nor positive until you put a judgment on them that comes from your own beliefs. Let's say that someone receives a gift for their birthday. Good? Bad? Some would say that depends on what the gift is and whether the recipient likes it. Exactly the same with a problem. When the problem "arrives" whether it is good or bad depends on what the "recipient" thinks about it. Problem: I don't have enough money to go to the movies tonight. That could have both positive and negative outcomes. See what I mean? I have known people whose lives have many hurdles, challenges, hardships, who have a positive outlook on life. My contention is that one can maintain a positive outlook in the face of any hardship. In fact, it is having a positive outlook that gets people through things that are very hard to deal with. The one thing we can control is our thoughts and beliefs. We can choose to be positive or negative in how we experience the world.

positive thinking is just to think away your problem dont dwell on them. they wont really go away but there is no use of being down so put a smile on your face and let the world wonder what you are smiling at . Think positive helps the little things go away

Have you ever heard the expression "Every cloud has a silver lining"? Something good can come from any calamity. You might have to turn a situation upside down and inside out to find it but it is there. Sometimes you have to truly want to find it. Sometimes we choose to be miserable and to worry.

I'm not sure. We always have bad luck in my household. I am a pack of nerves every day because of it. It is very hard to think positive when bad things keep happening. It wears out the mind, body and soul and every day is a struggle to get through no matter what we do to try to change it. We just take the very little of good with all the bad and roll with it. It isn't easy but we must go on.

I believe in the power of positive thinking. I know it is hard to be in a positive state of mind in times of despair or problems but things could be worse but they are not and so that simple reason merits positive thinking. Also being grateful also is a way of being positive. For example, your business gets bankrupt, of course you'll feel down and think that it is the end of everything but think of it this way, you still have your family and that's enough reason to be grateful. In spite of all the negative things, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for and be positive about. =)

You make a very good point. There are times for everyone when so many bad things are happening that you just cannot stay positive.

The digest from which I got this discussion is a few days old (I'm catching up) but after what happened today, this discussion is extremely timely, in my iew. My husband has a horrendous day at work, and at first did not want to tell me about it. I managed to coax it out of him, and we were able to come up with a solution together, mainly because I amdetermined to think positive, regardless of the situation, because if I don't come up with a positive solution NOW, then the suckers who have annoyed me, will have all the control, and will have "won the battle."

First you rid yourself of the negatives my friend. Then you accept the positive thoughts and turn things around. It really is a worthwhile exercise. You just mustn't let the negatives get so large that you can't rid yourself of them. Once you get in a hole, it's a whole lot more difficult to climb out again. Brightest Blessings.

Though it's easy said than done yet the fact remains the same that in trouble if you start thinking negative then the only thing which it offers will be an addition to the on going miseries.Look if we start crying if we got bad grade then would it be possible that our crying will cause any change to our result? The ultimate answer will be no, but on the contrary if we divert our bad feelings into devising some positive strategies for improving our future then it would be of great help... who cares what anyone else says, after all they are with us only in times of happiness so why we bother them as they can't be more sincere than our own selves.

When problems and hassles of life become overwhelming it is hard to think positively. Sometimes there may be something to focus on that can lift the spirits a little. It might be very hard, but it's worth the effort if only for some relief from the pressures and sad events that happen to most people.

Discipline. Discipline is all I can say when caught in a situation like that. Also, a supporter who is always there to support you is also very important. You will never realize it till the situation is over and you look back. So, discipline on your part to think positive. And a supporter by your side to edge you on. Those are the things you need to think positively in times of trouble.

I agree with you... Not all people are optimistic about things. When confronted with a lot of problems, we are told to think positively and always look at the brighter side of life. Sometimes, it is really easier said than done. It is important however, that we should, in one way or another, give optimism a chance. We should not let problems hold us back from achieving our goals.

Atually,if you have a positive attitude,then these troubles would become nothing! If I failed in an exam,then I told myself that God ask me to learn it again to get the essence; If I won nothing in a lottery,I would told myself that God is just training my tolerance; If I didn't get a promotion,then I may say that maybe that's not my road,and another oppotunity is waiting for me! If I got a serious disease,I may think:well,good time for me to relex! If I lost some relatives,then I may told others:he just go to another world and enjoy a brand new life! ... ... Anyway,it's all depends on youself,remember: When a door closed, a window will open!

aLL YA HAVE TO HAVE IS fAITH

You cannot be a Pollyanna when things are going wrong around you and nothing seems to be going right. Your thought process is being assaulted and all you can do is to pray to God to get you through it. I think that the ones who say that positive thinking are the ones who never had to worry about anything and that everything in this life went their way. This does not happen to the majority.

It is hard to be and think positive when things are not too well in ones life. I try not to let certain things get me down and surround myself with things and family that I like to enjoy and spend time with. Sometimes I like to tackle the problems head on so as to find a comfortable solution to them and move on from there. Other times I may need help so may seek personal advice or more information if needed. As long as I have my hubby and son in my life as they make me smile and keep me positive when I get down.

I agree that positive thinking is great -in theory, sukumar, but, as you stated, it can be really difficult to maintain such thoughts when all around you seems to be negativity. Sometimes I find it helpful to meditate when things become a bit too much for me. If all else fails a nap usually will do wonders.

Problems can be just the thing we need to regain a brighter outlook. Some people who don't have many difficulties in our minds may find themselves complaining about anything. In truth we all have different struggles. But with out the sour how can the sweet taste good. Too much sweet and it all become sickening anyway.

you need to change your mindset from thinking of all the bad stuff in your life to what is good. It is just like whether your glass is half full or half empty. one helps you to feel better while the other focusses on negative thoughts which do not help at all. So you do not have a lot of money just think that you will not have to pay a huge income tax. You got fired okay so now you can look for that job you have always wanted to do. You got hurt in an auto accident okay so you are alive and your broken bones will heal. Like me you fell and smashed your left shoulder and had a shoulder joint replacementand therapy galore yet after two years you still can not lift that arm very high. so what? you cope and you are still alive.You do go on and you are still you. I can still laugh and eat my favorite foods and love nature so allis not lost.look at the pluses as we all have them.