Belief in the power of positive thinking is more commonplace than ever in today’s fast-paced world. Often hailed as a remedy for stress and depression, as well as the key to achieving unparalleled success in life, positive thinking, like many popular concepts, is rife with myths and misconceptions. This blog will delve into the complexities of positive thinking, exploring the realities—freed from myth—of focusing on the bright side of life.
The Myths of Positive Thinking
Myth 1: Positive Thinking Solves Everything
Arguably the biggest myth centered on the notion of positive thinking is the idea that it can solve anything. According to adherents of its seemingly magical power, positive thinking can overcome any obstacle, no matter how daunting. Of course, life’s trials are hardly beholden to a feel-good mindset; in reality, human emotions are nuanced and complicated, and so too are the challenges life presents.
Myth 2: Positive Thinking Requires Ignoring the Negative
Similarly, positive thinking isn’t about ignoring negative emotions and experiences. Such a belief asserts that it is counterproductive to acknowledge the negative underbelly of such a bright outlook, with followers of this myth claiming that one must shun that which is unfavorable and dwell only on the rosy. This leap often leads to emotional suppression, i.e. feeling bad or guilty for feeling naturally bad.
Myth 3: Positive Thinking Guarantees Success
Another common misconception about positive thinking is the idea that sustained happiness and eternal success are territory it alone can traverse. And, yes, a positive outlook can certainly inspire motivation and perseverance. But it is not a magical elixir; plenty of ingredients swirl together to produce success, from hard work and appropriate timing to, yes, perhaps even the occasional stroke of luck.
The Realities of Positive Thinking
Reality 1: Positive Thinking Is About Balance
The truth about positive thinking is that it's not about approaching the world with blinders on, but rather about finding a healthy balance between optimism and reality. Positive thinking is about believing in your ability to get through difficult circumstances. It's about turning negative thoughts into hopeful thoughts, and only seeing the world's unpleasantness when you absolutely have to, knowing it's a gateway to improvement. It quickens your acceptance of hard knocks, and widens your psychological armor against life's ups and downs. It's resilient, adaptable, and growth-inducing.
Reality 2: Improve Your Well-being
Growing evidence suggests that positive thinking can improve the capacity to manage stress, anxiety and pain, and significantly enhance both psychological and physical well-being. Optimism has been linked to lowered risks of early death from cancer, infection, and cardiovascular disease. Conceiving of a positive future can help you feel more hopeful and work more steadily toward better health. But not as well-devised as a broad strategy — an umbrella that includes active coping mechanisms, social (or pet) support, and overall healthier living (a better diet, more sleep and more relaxation) practices and noting one's most prevalent driving fears, thankfully picturing them working out, and then going to sleep for the night.
Reality 3: Practice Makes Perfect
It's often said - including by us - that positive thinking is a talent you're born with. This is true. It is a consciousness that requires exercise and commitment. Positive thinkers may find it easy to smile and laugh, but behind the scenes, it's all about grief and inanity, and more awareness and ability to find humor in stupidity perform those same death-defying acts too. In essence, it's songwriter and performer, the introductory, the overshadowed upbeat always ending, instrumental voice, asking us in hopeful fashion to rest assured about the encroaching, onrushing, unbearable foreboding of the number 13. It's only when you regularly put those negative, hopeless thoughts into the rubbish can bearing the sign, “idealism breeds annoying stereotypes, but everything is possible” that they become less convincing and powerful, and you become more convinced and optimistic.
So surround yourself with positivity and be kind to yourself. Sure there’s plenty of bad out in the world right now, but there’s a lot of good, too. By being kind to yourself and keeping the company of those who inspire and help you, you can maintain an optimistic outlook in even the most trying times.
Conclusion
Positive thinking won’t get us out of every sticky situation in life, nor is it about sticking our heads in the sand and ignoring all negativity. Rather, positive thinking is about balancing out the negative in life with a fair bit of positive events to keep things real and hopeful, all in a responsible way. With a little practice, we can brighten our day, improve our mood, increase our resilience during tough times, and adopt a fulfilling and upbeat outlook on life. Positive thinking isn’t a one-size-fits-all cure, but when it comes right down to it, it makes a hell of a lot more sense than wallowing in despair. Always remember: positive thinking is a journey, not a destination. Don’t get frustrated and give up on it. Stick with it, because the changes you’ll see will be well worth it.