Do you believe in the power of positive thinking?

Hawaii - Beautiful picture of a Hawaii Sunset.
@ebsharer (5515)
United States
May 21, 2008 9:53am CST
I have heard so many people talking about positive thinking. Saying that all it takes to make your dreams come true is to think positive. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Do you think things like posting a picture in places will help you make your dream or goal come true? For instance if you want to go on vacation do you post a picture of Hawaii on your bedroom mirror, your car dash board, the refrigerator then think okay I should pack my lunch that will save me $3.00 and it can go in the vacation fund. Or put it on your dash board to help you not to stop at that sidewalk sale? Does it work?? What are some tips on how to think positive? What are some ways you help yourself make your dreams / goals come true?
7 people like this
31 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 May 08
I help myself by deciding that it's going to be a wonderful day before I get out of bed. It helps shape my attitude, no matter what's going on. When you've determined you're going to have a good day, you do. It also affects others and they treat you better than if you were grumpy or negative. Every time I look in the mirror I tell myself that my life is getting better all the time--and it does! I dictate my life, I chose to be happy, I'm in control as much as possible.
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
21 May 08
You are absolutely correct! Good for you. I wish more people were like us (not EXACTLY like us but in this aspect anyway)
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
22 May 08
Thank you for that! I just got off the phone with the IRS and I really needed a pick-me-up! You've saved me valuable minutes of talking myself back up!
2 people like this
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
22 May 08
That is BEAUTIFUL Eb... thank you for sharing that. I have printed that out as a reminder.
1 person likes this
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
23 May 08
i guess i'm a pretty disciplined person. if i have a dream i'll try my very best to fulfill it. although sometimes i'll stray a little and deviate from my dream a little. when i plan a holiday, i usually set aside an amount every month. it's very important to have a good idea of how much is needed. the amount is set aside before i actually spend anything. if it means i have to eat a little less then it shall be.
2 people like this
@jbl1975 (374)
• United States
22 May 08
I'm not sure yet on my behalf. I have spent so many years looking foreward to stuff in the future or getting my hopes up on everything just to have something happen to throw it completely off and I'm right back to square one. I guess that can happen to anyone, but every time I had hopes and asperations, they would be sunk like the Titanic; even when I would be cautious and try for extremely modest goals to begin with. I think it was because of something that happened to me that hindered me for so many years that I am now trying to fix (something that would be a long story if I was even able to talk about it) that until then had me paralyzed to the point of living day to day trying not to look foreward to the future. Nowadays, I am not afraid to look foreward to the future, thank God, so I am able to have hopes and aspirations again. As for the "posting a picture", I don't do that still, at least not yet. I have a story of my follies with someone getting me signed up into Quixtar back in 2004, and the first thing this guy tried to ask me is "What are my hopes and dreams?" and "How much money do I expect to make?" and these were questions I simply could not answer because I was so paralyzed back then that I wasn't sure what I was going to do or what to look foreward to. Heck, when I went to a job interview, the hardest question I could ever answer was "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" because often the answer I wanted to give was "I don't know. Five years ago, I didn't think I'd be here." (Never gave it though.) but still, it was a difficult question to answer, but at least now, I feel I can give a rather constructive answer to that question. In short, I did have my problems with positive thinking, and I think because I had high hopes for myself or for something, it would crash down and it would feel just like that. Therefore, why not have low hopes and see if it would work the other way (of course it didn't). Well, for me, we'll see what happens.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
23 May 08
Thank you for your honesty. I relate to your response better then the others. I know I need to be more positive and I know I need to set goals. I just don't know how. I don't know what want. It seems like you and I are on the same page. I try try and try to be more positive and then some thing goes wrong and its like okay that didn't work so I go back to being negitive. After reading all these responses I think to myself, I am taking the easy way out - thinking positive is a hard thing to do. Thinkin negitive is the easy way. Maybe my goal should be to think positive lol.
• Malaysia
21 May 08
i do believe in positive thinking after watching "the secret" video.i used to be a negatively thinking person.that is why i ended up did not get what i really wanted.i used to tell myself i would not get it.but after watching the secret i started to think positively. at first i was so shocked that our thoughts could actually send out the signal to the universe.i did try out after watching the secret.i really get what i really wanted.based on the secret it is important to think positively and visualize yourself as having it.so i have my own vision board. i pasted all the things i wanted in my life on it.every morning i wake up i would look at it and tell myself one day i will be having it.i know it is impossible to monitor our thoughts because we are sending 60,000 thoughts.it would be very exhausting to monitor each of them.So in order to think positive you must feel good everyday. wake up every morning with the feelings it is a brand new day again and feel good about it.if you really wanna know the tips to think positively i think you should watch "the secret".Everything is there for you to achieve things in your life.
@as2006 (5040)
• Israel
22 May 08
I agree with you, good example.Have a nice day.
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
22 May 08
I too watched the secret. It had an effet on me for a while but it wore off. Maybe I need to watch it again. I just don't know how to put faith into some thing like this. I mean I hear that it works but how do you do it. How do you literlly re-train your self to think positive when there is soooo much negitive in the world around you?
@anawar (2404)
• United States
22 May 08
Oh, I've read all the self-help books and seen 'The Secret.' It's like this. No one knows how things really work. I mean, we're only humans. I have used my powers of thinking to bring something into my life. I did post a picture of mountains and rivers above my sink because I wanted to live somewhere like that. The picture sat above my sink for months. In sudden inspiration, I taped the picture to the door, indicating I was ready to go. I suppose much of it is very esoterical and left up to the person's own judgment. But, within two months I was on my way to exactly the place where I wanted to live. I believe there are limits to what we can achieve. My mind changes all the time, but sometimes I think we're born with a specific set of genes. We can move around anywhere within our gene pool, but if millions of dollars isn't part of my equation, I don't think any amount of meditating or positive thinking will make me financially independent. Not everyone can have anything. Postive thinking is not fool-proof and can be disappointing. Sometimes the Universe is happy to respond, other times I feel cast out. Society puts so much pressure on us, enticing us into always wanting more and telling us we can have it if we want it badly enough. Our moods can determine how our life progresses. What hits you as too sorrowful to shoulder today, may be forgotten tomorrow. I meditate to calm my mind and open new doors of opportunity. It's easy to miss something you asked for because you expected it to look a certain way or come in a specific form. The easiest way to make your dreams come true? Find peace in who you are.
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
22 May 08
- Please see my above comments too - It is really nice to hear from a real perosn that putting positive thinking into action brought you to your dreams. I admire you and any one else for being able to do it. Find peace in who I am and actually write down my short and long term goals. I know where I want to be in say 5 years but I don't actually have a "goal". I need the goal first.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
23 May 08
I did read all your comments, that's why I told you the story about the picture. I don't have any goals right now, because my life is moving me this way and that. I don't think it's that important for a person to have five year plans. I don't have plans for five minutes from now! I have no idea what to plan for. I never was a goal-oriented person. It's not my style.
1 person likes this
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
21 May 08
I ABSOLUTELY believe in the power of positive thinking. It is what has kept me sane most of my life. Don't get me wrong, I have my bad days just as anyone else, but for the most part I am a positive thinker. There is a WONDERFUL book by Louise Hays called "You Can Heal Your Life" http://www.hayhouse.com/details.php?id=267. It talks about the power of positive thinking everyday and the affects it can have on your life as well as "dis-ease" of the body. I have read the book on the days when I am feeling down and think "nothing ever goes my way" It brings me right back to reality again. I feel better. Think about it. How many times have you been around a negative person (at work, home, school, wherever) Think how awful and drained you feel after being around that person for just 10 minutes. It's a HORRIBLE feeling. Now.. on the flip side.. how often have you been in the same room with a "sunny" person. Yes I know they can be annoying (I am one of those people lol) But if you can get past the annoying pary and look at how happy that person looks AND sounds... doesn't it make you feel a whole lot better. Again, the power of positive thinking has change my life and the lives of those around me. I inspired a co-worker to buy that book.. and within 3 days.. she had a whole different outlook on life. She left the job she was at withme, went and got her relator's license (which is something she was scared to do before reading the book) and is now a successful real estate agent. My immediate family is also thinking differently. My teenage daughter has more confidence in herself. My teenage son's attitude has changed immensely, and my husband is not as "blue" as he once was. Great discussion sorry for my long winded reply
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
22 May 08
- please see my comments above - Thank you for taking the time to respond. I really need to learn how to re-train my mind. I am not negitive all the time, I always TRY to think positive or look on the bright side of things, but as you know its hard. I have read the secret and watched the movie. The movie kind of turned me off - it seemed like a long infomertical to me. I know they weren't litteraly selling anything but thats how I felt. I felt like at the end of the movie it was going to say "buy positive thinking for more money then you have". Funny I was thinking negitive while I was watching a movie about thinking positive. I really do have problems lol. And I think you did answer my question in the first response. And it wasn't long winded it was just what I needed to hear.
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
22 May 08
awwwwwwwwwwwww you are welcome. I love to share this wonder power with everyone that is willing to listen. I am glad I wasn't too long winded. I did read your reply to dragon and responded. It is surprisingly easier than you think to retrain your mind. I was also on anti-depressants for 2 years. I don't need them anymore. I did not watch The Secret nor did I read the book. For I had a feeling it was teaching (almost) everything I already new about this subject. For now I keep reading my cards and trying to teach others how much better you feel if you carry around light as air positive thoughts versus heavy and hard to carry negative ones.
1 person likes this
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
21 May 08
I got so carried away, I forgot to answer you questions (refer to my screen name ) I also have cards and a mini book form Louise Hay that reinforce the thinking habits. I usually draw 1 a day.. more if it is a full moon I focus on the positive.. I work in a call center, so Instead of dreading each call that comes in.. I think.. If not for this person calling, I wouldn't have a job. When I hear birds singing.. I grin, because I can hear. Their songs make me realize how great it is to be alive.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
22 May 08
It is much more than just posting a picture. First, you have to know what you want to stick with you will. Second, don't doubt about that it is going to happen. Many people say they think positive, but in the course of the day they have negative emotions involved.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
22 May 08
The pictures was just an example. I don't think any one can be 100% positive with all the negitivity in the world. I do believe that things will get better. I do try to look at the bright side of things. But as I'm sure you know its hard to always look at the bright side especally when things aren't going well. I have learned a lot already and I'm not even through the first page of these discussion. Thank you!
@livvy092002 (1032)
• Philippines
22 May 08
I believed that positive thinking helps in achieving our dreams and goals! :-) Its not the only thing that makes you achieve your goals, but it is one big factor in making dreams come true. I don't know about explaining it in terms of psychology or the power of the mind or something like that, but i believe that it is true because i apply it in my personal life. Being positive keeps me focused on my goals, in believing that i can achieve that goal.. my mind gets ideas on how to get on with that goal step by step, one by one. Come to think of it, if you are a negative person.. your first reaction to a goal is that you can never achieve it. So if that was your first reaction, then, you will no longer think of ways on how to achieve that goal. End of the story. And you will never really achieve the goal. I also would like to add that being a positive thinker not only helps you achieve a goal, it also help you to stay healthy, mentally or emotionally healthy maybe. Even when you are bothered by stress - giving factors or situations, having a positive attitude or having a positive outlook in life helps you to feel light, feel young and happy. It helps you to handle things which you can change and accept things which you cannot.
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
22 May 08
I was a Mary Kay consultant for a while, and if I was ever negitive about a party coming up my director would say your right you aren't going to do well. If you believe it thats what will happen. I did notice when I went into a class thinking this is going to be good I came out with great sales, but when I went in thinking this isn't going to be that good... it wasn't. At first I thought those classes weren't going well becasue of the people attending, but I realized a little late it wasn't them - it was me. Had I asked in a more positive way or even just shook my head yes when asking a question like - "That feels so good doesn't it" I may have done better. Thank you for sharing with me.
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
22 May 08
Absolutely. I believe there's nothing greater than positive thinking. I believe a person can oversome almost anything as long as they really use the power of their mind. All it takes is a little positive thinking to change your life. Afterall don't psychologists pretty much help a person to change their thinking? I have a couple of books on the poewer of positive thikning and when I am feeling down and like I've hit a brick wall I pick them up and have a read. I can honestly say that positive thinking has helped me out in the past.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
22 May 08
I think I need to reread or rewatch the secret. It helped for a while then kind of wore off. I am having a hard time re-training my brain to think positive more often.
• Philippines
26 May 08
I agree with that and I try my best to do that.After all,nothing's being lost when you do that.
1 person likes this
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
22 May 08
Yes, I believe in positive thinking; I believe in thinking in the positive that will bring about positive things in your life. I have read on it. I have a bunch of Norman Vincent Peale's works that I got, but haven't read it yet.The example where you post a picture on the fridge or whatever,is good that is creative visualization. Interesting question.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
22 May 08
You made me think of a saying I used to hear often ... " What you think about - You bring about " Thanks for sharing!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
21 May 08
I do agree and that is a very good idea. They say if you can visualize it that your dream can come true...even writing it on a piece of paper and looking at it. I do believe even without it that thinkiing positively can make a difference in your life.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
22 May 08
jillhill - Hope you don't mind but I am using your response to comment to everyone. TO ALL REASPONDERS - OR READERS! Wow - When I started this discussion I didn't realize I was going to get so many great responses. I thank each and every one of you. As I read each response I got even more inspiration to become more positive. Thank you all! Erika
@fizanali (478)
• Pakistan
25 May 08
i think you got to make every thing a challenge and play it like a game, and belive that u'll never lose! then ur sure to succeed.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
21 May 08
my mom knows a lot about that... I remember her telling people that she's trying to brainwash me into becoming a positive person... she said things you can do are just in the state of mind... something like that... she's been that way ever she read this book... i can't remember the title... sorry
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
21 May 08
Probably the same book my mom read 25 times and had me read. "the secret" I watched the movie it was like a long info-mertical. I get the point of the book and movie but don't know how much faith I put into it.
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
23 May 08
I believe in the power of positive thinking to some degree. I think it is dang hard to do. Yes, I have written myself a cheque for a million dollars and pinned it to my bulletin board over my desk. I also have a mock-up cover of the novel I hope to have published. It doesn't seem to be motivating me into finishing the book. I think I have always been a negative person and I did see "The Secret" video. I think it is very hard to change the person you are. I am watching Joyce Meyer every day and even taking notes but I don't know what it is that keeps holding me back from achieving my dreams and goals. I think the world around us and the way it affects us has a lot to do with it. You can't control the people around you. You should be able to control the way they AFFECT you, but I can't seem to do it. Perhaps I'm just lazy.
1 person likes this
@as2006 (5040)
• Israel
22 May 08
It is a very good discussion.Yes I believe in the power of positive thinking.I believe in bouilding targets in our live with strong positive believe that we can and will achive everything that we want in our live.
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@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
22 May 08
I believe! This is the day that the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it!
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@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
25 May 08
Hi there ebsharer! Yes, I believe in the power of positive thinking. It makes your outlook in life much more positive and by that, you can have a clearer way of thinking.
• United States
23 May 08
Ever since I was a young, the only talking I heard from people were negative. As I grew up, I was always told everything negative, and I find it hard to think positive in the workplace. Now that I'm unemployed, I spend most of my time alone at my computer all the time looking for ways to make money from home. The only time I think positive is when I'm at my computer alone listening to online radio and surfing the Internet. I agree that everyone should believe in the power of positive thinking, because it help others who are thinking negative turn into positive. I sometimes listen to Valorie Burton online to learn more about changing my thinking from positive to negative. I hope this information will help me in the long run.
• Philippines
25 May 08
I could agree that thinking positive has power. It could be very challenging at the same time. For me it is a test of beliefs, faith and trust for yourself. It does not mean if you are dreaming it will be come true as simple as that. Of course you have to do something about it to achieve your goal in life. You still have to make your duties and responsibilities to attain the things that you like then while doing this it is now your chance to think positive all the way. Being pessimistic could not help you though I must admit that this is the thing that I should not practice it or lessen this since I am in the process of doing it now but I want to avoid it because it does not help me at all. I want to be more positive to attain the things that I want.