Looking at my many full bookshelves, I get overwhelmed and realize it should be downsized. But it is tough work because each book in my library holds a fun memory of loving the story or of planning to read that next great book.
In the many amazing tomes, one that I uncovered was Norman Vincent Peale's, "The Power of Positive Thinking." * Here is a quote from Peale, "A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative; he refuses to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results from the worst conditions." **
In his book published in 1952, there are many insights and exercises to guide a person to success using positivity.
Try This: Embrace the Power of Positive Thinking
What amazing insights Peale brings to shifting our perspectives with this as a good jumpstart from his book for this week:
- For the next twenty-four hours, deliberately speak hopefully about everything, about your job, about your health, about your future. It's a jumpstart that can be difficult but helpful to uncover pessimism or negativity that you weren’t aware existed.
- Then continue the practice of speaking hopefully for one week. Key is to recognize about being "realistic" which is often about being pessimistic.
- As you begin a new perspective, Peale says you must continue to feed your mind healthy nourishing, wholesome thoughts. He encourages shifting your mind from negative to positive thinking.
As the result of this simple practice, Peale believes, "The secret of a better and more successful life is to cast out the old, dead, unhealthy thoughts." While I have tried to focus on positive thoughts, everyday life still distracts me back to anxious or negative thoughts. So, I'm "in" this week to embracing positivity - how about you?
* The Power of Positive Thinking, https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Thinking-Maximum-Results-ebook/dp/B000FC0SXM?ref_=ast_author_mpb
** Norman Vincent Peale, https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1059383