Loving Life With a Positive Mindset

Loving life means trying to live a fulfilled life. But doing so can be difficult without having a positive mindset. For many people, it can be pretty hard to enjoy living a life full of problems and worries. But even in situations such as this, life can be enjoyed by having a positive state of mind.

Having a positive attitude can help you appreciate life more. It is looking into the good things in life rather than the bad things - we have enough of the latter. Having a positive mindset can help you stay focused on what you need to love and enjoy life. Developing a positive mindset is not as difficult as you may think.

An important point to remember is that the way you think greatly influences the way you act. By thinking on the positive, you are forcing your attitude to focus on what good life has to offer. There are other ways that a positive mindset can be practiced on a daily basis. It is simply a matter of practicing.

One way of creating a positive state of mind is by simply appreciating being alive. Some people may tend to forget that life itself is miraculous. Daily functions - like walking, talking and having the ability to see - that you perform day in and day out tend to be taken for granted.

Just imagine if you could not walk anymore, talk to a loved one or see the beauty that is all around you. What if you suddenly find yourself not being able to do what you normally do? Many people only realize that what they have is valuable only after losing them. So why not appreciate life in general and the many things that you can still do, and thank God for it. Appreciate what you have and are blessed with.

Another way to develop a positive mindset is by focusing on the simple things in life. Life can be so simple and enjoyed more if you only learn to be content with where you are. That does not mean you should settle for where you are. You are at this place in time for a reason. One of my favorite quotes is, “be content but don’t settle.” All that means is that there is something greater out there for you however, until you reach whatever that is be content with today.

One last way to develop (and maintain) a positive mindset in life is to share it with others by helping them to think positively for a change. Just by looking at how good you feel about loving life, they might also follow your example. Helping others develop a positive mindset will not only help them to love and enjoy life but will also be a good way to reinforce your own zest for life.

Develop a positive mindset and you will begin to attract other positive, like-minded people to your inner circle. The more this develops and grows, you will no longer tolerate any negativity in your life.

Finding Opportunities in Any Economy

I love sharing life-changing information that helps individuals to become better at what they do and to become better persons. This month's Featured Article is from success expert, Jack Canfield. I am certain, after reading this article, you will experience something new in your thinking. Happy reading.

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Your own beliefs and behaviors are great predictors of your success than any fluctuation in the marketplace. Even when the newspapers splash the word recession across the front page, you can write your own success story.

Master the Art of "Inverse Paranoia"

Start by becoming an "Inverse Paranoid". What I mean by this is, believe that every event in your life is the seed for your greater good; something meant to enrich you, empower you or advance your cause.

Imagine how much easier it would be to succeed in life if you were constantly expecting the world to support you and bring you opportunity.

You can easily verify this belief for yourself. Just think about the last time that a terrible event turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

A big blessing for me came during the 1970's when I lost my job. I was working at the Job Corps Center in Clinton, Iowa, pioneering new ways to teach underachieving students. One day the word came down that the center was being relocated - and I was being laid off.

While attending a workshop at the W. Clement & Jesse V. Stone Foundation in Chicago, I shared my predicament with the presenter. He happened to be vice president of the foundation, and he immediately offered me a job working with inner-city black and
Latino kids.

I accepted the offer, and what I got in return was a bigger salary, an unlimited budget, and a laboratory for learning the success principles that transformed my life and launched a new career path.

Ask Yourself: What Opportunity Exists Here?

Take the fast track to inspiration by constantly asking yourself: What's the opportunity here? Make this a habit, and you'll stay calm and centered during any event that seems like a setback.

The beauty of this question is that it triggers your mind to respond with positive suggestions. Compare these to the useless information you get by asking yourself the questions such as: Why did this happen to me? Or, Who's to blame for this mess?

If you get passed over for a promotion or your retirement account takes a hit in the stock market, remember to ask: What's the opportunity here? - or one of its inspiring variations:

• What can I learn from this event?
• What will I do differently from now on?
• Who can I turn to as a mentor or coach?
• What's my next action?

Remember the Three Things You Control

In a way, the economy is just a vague and sometimes ambiguous idea. It refers in a general way to trillions of dollars of goods, services and products by billions of people across the planet. When you face a financial challenge, is it the vast, impersonal economy at work? Or is it your personal economy, which you can directly control?

You can't always count on the economy, but you can always rely on yourself.

Remember, you have absolute control over three things in your life:

   1. The thoughts you think

   2. The images your visualize

   3. The actions you take (including what you say to others)

Your life experience is simply the sum total of the choices you make in these three areas. And you can attract new results at any time by making new choices. Use the ideas and exercise found in this article to do just that!

About the Jack Canfield:

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Enjoy TODAY Everyday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Yes, I have been blessed to see another one. For those of you who don't know, I'm now 42. Just a babe in terms of living out my dream. I just gettin' started. As my present to you, I want to share something with you I discovered surfing the 'Net that is appropriate for this occasion. It is about the subject of time - a concept that neither you or I have any control. We can't create it. We can't add to it. We all have the same amount alloted to us every day; and it does not discriminate. Take a few moments to absorb what follows:

Each of us has such a bank. It's name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success! The clock is ticking. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, Ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, Ask a mother of a pre-mature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, Ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE DAY, Ask a daily wage laborer with kids to feed.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, Ask a person who missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, Ask the person who just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, Ask the person who won a silver Olympic medal.

Treasure every moment you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special....special enough to spend your time. And remember that time waits for no one.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, which is why it's called the present!! Enjoy your present every day !

The Powers of a Positive Attitude

I am going to ask you to something very weird right now. First of all, I want you to listen to your thoughts. Now tell me, what do you hear? Would you label them as positive, or negative?

Now let's say you are walking down the street with these thoughts. Do you think anyone who would meet you would be able to tell what’s on your mind?

The answer to the first question is up to you. But, the second answer can be pretty generic. Although people will not be able to tell you exactly what you think, they will more or less have an idea of how you are feeling.

Here's another question. When you enter a party filled with friends, do they all fall silent as if something

terrible had happened? Or does everybody there perk up as if waiting for something exciting to happen?

The answer to all these depend on your frame of mind.

Thoughts are very powerful. They affect your general attitude. The attitude you carry reflects on your appearance, too – unless, of course, you are a great actor.

And it doesn't end there. Your attitude can also affect people around you.; the attitude you carry depends on you.

It can be either positive or negative.

A positive attitude can have a filling effect. They are invigorating. The people around the person with positive thoughts are usually energized by this type of attitude; a positive attitude attracts people.

Negative attitudes, on the other hand, can have a sapping effect on other people. Aside from making you look gloomy and sad, a negative attitude can turn a festive gathering into a funeral wake.

We can also define attitude as the way of looking at the world. If you choose to focus on the negative things in the world, more or less you will develop a negative attitude. However, if you choose to focus on the positive things, you are more likely to develop a positive attitude.

You have much to gain from a very positive attitude. For one, studies have shown that a positive attitude promotes better health. Those with this kind of attitude also have more friends. Projecting a positive attitude also helps one to handle stress and problems better than those who have a negative attitude.

A positive attitude begins with a healthy self-image. If you love the way you are and are satisfied, confident, and self-assured, you will also make others around you feel the same way.

If you want to have a positive attitude, you have to develop healthy thoughts. This is probably very hard to do nowadays since, all around us, the media feeds us nothing but negative images. It is said that for every 14 things a parent says to his or her child, only one is positive. This is saddening.

If you want a healthier outlook in life, you need to think happy thoughts, and you have to listen to positive things as well. So, what can you do? Well, for starters, you could read positive books and magazines, surround yourself with positive people and set realistic goals and pursue them. All these activities fill you with positive stimuli, which in turn promote a positive attitude.

Although it is impossible to keep ourselves from the negative things around us, we can still have a positive attitude by focusing on the good things - the positive things in life.

This new positive attitude you now have can be of benefit to other people. Sometimes when other people feel down, the thing most people do is try to give them advice. But sometimes, all they need is somebody to sit by them, and listen to them. If you have a positive attitude you may be able to cheer them up without even having to say anything.

You do not have much to lose by adopting a healthy, positive attitude. Studies have shown that such an attitude actually retards aging, makes you healthier, helps you develop better stress coping mechanisms, and has a very positive effect on all the people you meet every day. So, what's not to like about a positive attitude? Adopt one today.

How to Expect the Best

Do you ever find yourself getting stuck in negative thought patterns and expecting the worst possible outcome in every (or most) situation?  It’s a common mindset that proves difficult to change when you finally decide you’ve had enough.  Unfortunately, negative thoughts tend to breed and multiply on their own – even when you’re not consciously trying to think negatively.

The good news is that turning a negative outlook into a positive one just takes a bit of patience and persistence until the positive thoughts begin to take over.

Below you’ll find three simple steps to begin forming positive expectations on a daily basis:

1) Develop self-awareness to recognize negative expectations.  One problem with negative thoughts is that they often form below your conscious level of awareness; and you get so used to them being in your head that you hardly notice them anymore.  To turn the tide of negativity, you’ll have to develop a stronger level of self-awareness.  One good way to start is by performing self-checks several times a day.  Pay attention first to how you feel.  If you’re feeling positive and productive, most likely you’ve been thinking positive thoughts.

However, if you notice that you’re feeling irritable, pessimistic or stressed, you’re probably focusing more on negative thoughts.  When that happens…

2) Challenge and change the negative thoughts.  Believe it or not, it’s fairly easy to challenge and change negative thoughts with a little willpower and concentration.  For example, if you find yourself feeling doubtful about your ability to finish your work on time, you might engage in a bit of self-talk like this:  “Okay, so I’m feeling a bit worried right now, but really everything is okay.  I’m strong, I’m smart and I’m capable of finishing my work on time.  I’ll do my best and everything will work out fine.”  Even though nothing has changed in your outer circumstances, this type of self-talk can get you thinking and feeling more positive.

3) At the same time, while you’re changing negative thoughts to positive, work daily on developing a general positive expectation habit.  Each day when you wake up, affirm confidently, “Today is going to be a great day!  Everything will go my way and I’ll enjoy plenty of lucrative opportunities and fun!”

When you encounter obstacles or problems, see them as opportunities to learn, grow and strengthen yourself.  Perception is 99% of the game!  If you simply work on shifting the way you look at the experiences of your life, you can easily conquer your negative thought habits.

The more you focus on changing your perspective to emphasize the positive, you’ll empower yourself to create better circumstances in your life.  Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying better and more frequent opportunities and attracting other like-minded, successful people to connect with.

Building a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)

Click picture for Napoleon Hill's work

Napoleon Hill, the father of personal development and author of "Think and Grow Rich" postulated five 'Building Blocks' of a PMA. Allow me to share them with you here so that you have something to draw from when you feel a hint of negativity creeping in - that's not too difficult these days.

Building Block #1
Move with definiteness and purpose towards your goal.

Building Block #2
Establish a harmonious cooperative alliance with other people.

Building Block #3
Cultivate the habit of doing more than you are paid, or expected, to do.

[Note: Some of you (or us) may have to dig real deep on this one.]

Building Block #4
Concentrate on the habit of putting enthusiasm into your words and deeds.

Building Block #5
Create an enduring capacity for faith.

On the surface these may seem somewhat simplistic however, with further examination and practice, you might find yourself struggling with one or more of these building blocks. Anyone who has read any of Napoleon Hill's work knows that he does not cater to self-pity or wallowing in your "struggles."

I encourage you to put serious thought into each of these building blocks as they pertain to your life. Find someone you trust to assist you with building your positive mental attitude. While nothing in life is guaranteed, I assure you if you sincerely practice building each one of these, you will see a noticeable difference in your life and in others around you - at least as they relate to you.

5 Steps to Thinking Big and Living Grand

I came across this article that I wish to share with you. Many of you probably aspire to (or aspired to) doing greater things than your parents of which there is nothing wrong with that. This article by Ali Brown, an online entrepreneur outlines how to "think big and live grand." Let me know what you think by clicking the comments link below. Enjoy.

"5 Steps to Thinking Big and Living Grand" by Ali Brown

I know what it's like to think that the lifestyle I want is out of reach. Just 10 years ago, I would lie on my bed in my tiny 400-square-foot studio apartment and flip through magazines, wishing I could have the luxurious lifestyles I read about.

Despite that negative, nagging voice in my head that reminded me I could barely afford rent, I'm now living a beautiful life I created for myself from scratch. Instead of moping around an apartment I can barely afford, I now have the means to travel and to inspire others. Last year I took a solo retreat to Maui, and this year I vacationed at an exclusive beach resort in Cabo San Lucas.

How'd I do it? By deciding not to settle for being average and thinking BIG. Changing your mindset can be a challenge, but the rewards are well worth the cost. Here's how you can get started...

1. Eliminate negativity. This includes negative self-talk, too. Why would the universe bring you a better life if you don't appreciate what you already have? Show gratitude for everything in your life now. Those seemingly bad days happen for a reason, so whenever you find yourself thinking, "I can't do this" or "that's impossible," reframe it as the opposite. "I can do that, that is possible..." You owe it to yourself to give yourself the love and support you need to succeed.

2. Document your dreams. Earlier this year, I wanted to manifest a new house, so I listed all of the qualities in my dream home: a 3-car garage, workout room, walk-in closets... (Don't censor yourself! Anything is possible, even if it seems silly now.) I also bought some real estate magazines, cut out pictures of homes I love, and created a collage. I'm constantly updating my "dream board," which is now proudly displayed in my new house!

3. Surround yourself ONLY with supportive people. I only shared my house dream with friends and family I knew would support my decision. (NOT those prone to phrases like "Are you crazy? Who do you think you are? Ms. Trump?") Your true friends and family will be happy to share in your dream. If you don't have anyone else to support you, then it's time to make new friends - join a networking group or a mastermind.

4. Decide, believe, and watch for clues. It's not enough to make a decision to work towards your dreams. You must also truly believe in them! Don't worry about HOW your dreams will manifest themselves. Watch for clues, and the HOW will find you, perhaps in the form of a new business partner or a new client. But remember that the dream comes before the HOW.

5. ACT on opportunities when they appear. Action involves risk. You might have to hire more people to help with a new client. You'll need time to research that prospective business partner. Or figure out how to hire that amazing new mentor. But it's up to YOU to take action when the path is revealed. The universe is supporting you, and each step will bring you closer to your dreams.

© 2009 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

Online entrepreneur Ali Brown publishes the award-winning 'Highlights on Marketing & Success' weekly e-zine with 36,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AliBrown.com

Things Don't Always Stay the Same

I can hear my mother saying this to me as if she were still alive. That's just how powerful these words are, at least to me. They can be powerful for you as well if you truly focus on what it is these words are saying to you.

A couple of days ago, I was speaking to a classroom of students discussing my F.O.C.U.S. principles and I, somehow, go on this subject. Many of us have probably, at one time or another, gone through something terrible in our lives. Heaven knows, I have. So I shared with the class a few personal "things" that occurred in my life that were not so positive. I won't share them in this forum, but my point to them was that those "things" are now gone.

Sure, there will be some residual effects of what has happened but the situation has changed. Furthermore, it is in the past. Remember a few months ago we had gas prices at $4.00/gallon (and higher in some places) and people were losing their minds almost.

Fast forward - are they still the same?

What we must realize is that even those things we have no control over don't always stay the same. So why do we panic when "things" happen? Because we do not trust that they won't stay the same; or maybe it is that we, deep down inside, want something to complain about or to have self-pity. Guess what? That won't change nothing.

Sometimes we will just have to ride it out or if it is within our control - create the change you desire. Many times "things" will take care of themselves. From my experience, I have found this to be the case. Eventually all that "stuff" will be behind you.

How many of you have quoted the 'Serenity Prayer'? You might even have it up on your mantel, wall or in your office. Well, you probably only have part of it - the most familiar part that goes like this:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

As the commercial says, "but wait, there's more":

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Remember, it is a prayer. So the next time you experience "things" not going so well that "they don't always stay the same" and that the Serenity Prayer tells (and shows) us why.

3 Steps to Expecting Your Best

Do you ever find yourself getting stuck in negative thought patterns and expecting the worst possible outcome in every (or most) situation? It’s a common mindset that proves difficult to change when you finally decide you’ve had enough. Unfortunately, negative thoughts tend to breed and multiply on their own – even when you’re not consciously trying to think negatively.

The good news is that turning a negative outlook into a positive one just takes a bit of patience and persistence until the positive thoughts begin to take over.

Below you’ll find three simple steps to begin forming positive expectations on a daily basis:

1) Develop self-awareness to recognize negative expectations. One problem with negative thoughts is that they often form below your conscious level of awareness; and you get so used to them being in your head that you hardly notice them anymore. To turn the tide of negativity, you’ll have to develop a stronger level of self-awareness. One good way to start is by performing self-checks several times a day. Pay attention first to how you feel. If you’re feeling positive and productive, most likely you’ve been thinking positive thoughts.

However, if you notice that you’re feeling irritable, pessimistic or stressed, you’re probably focusing more on negative thoughts. When that happens…

2) Challenge and change the negative thoughts. Believe it or not, it’s fairly easy to challenge and change negative thoughts with a little willpower and concentration. For example, if you find yourself feeling doubtful about your ability to finish your work on time, you might engage in a bit of self-talk like this: “Okay, so I’m feeling a bit worried right now, but really everything is okay. I’m strong, I’m smart and I’m capable of finishing my work on time. I’ll do my best and everything will work out fine.” Even though nothing has changed in your outer circumstances, this type of self-talk can get you thinking and feeling more positive.

3) At the same time, while you’re changing negative thoughts to positive, work daily on developing a general positive expectation habit. Each day when you wake up, affirm confidently, “Today is going to be a great day! Everything will go my way and I’ll enjoy plenty of lucrative opportunities and fun!”

When you encounter obstacles or problems, see them as opportunities to learn, grow and strengthen yourself. Perception is 99% of the game! If you simply work on shifting the way you look at the experiences of your life, you can easily conquer your negative thought habits.

The more you focus on changing your perspective to emphasize the positive, you’ll empower yourself to create better circumstances in your life. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying better and more frequent opportunities and attracting other like-minded, successful people to connect with.

Positive Thinking in Just 7 Days!

I'm sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can't wait to test out. Of course you're not the only one with the bright idea. So what motivates you to churn those creative or even inspiring juices to its utmost flavor?

It's always best to set up a personal goal where you can accomplish the most in record time, maybe like mowing the lawn in an hour before the big game on TV. A correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable.

Here are some tips to make it through the week even if you're just sitting on your favorite couch. An idea takes time to form in your mind and is always at work while you are busy sitting.
Positive thinking can help you realize things that are never thought possible. Thinking big is indeed the American Way and that's what made our country prosperous and will once again.

When we are on prescription medication, the instructions usually asks to "take one each day." Below, take one each day to begin cultivating positive thinking.

1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. Without it, passion is void.

This is a perfect example where dreams are made of where you start by tinkering with your mind, then with your hands. And if the idea weakens, you can always go back to it later until you finish it.

2. Commit to yourself as well as those you love to create, powerfully, a life you can love. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart and soul, out of love rather than fear. The American Dream will always be there, but a dream will still be a dream without motion. Be amazed as the transformation begins.

3. Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. Every time you hit on something that may appear too extreme, why not give it a shot and see if it WILL work. You will be surprised to see if there are other ways to get the task done in time. If you are not pleased with the outcome, decide to use that moment to learn from and make the appropriate shift.

4. Dwell completely in a place of gratitude. Learn to utilize what you have in your hands and make use of it in the most constructive way. Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude, away from poverty consciousness.

5. Use a Passion Formula of Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore in place of the Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda whirlwind. The former is based in increased knowledge and abundance while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack. As you face people or tasks that may seem harder than scaling the summit of the Himalayas, allow yourself to realize that the task is just as important as giving out orders to your subordinates. You would rather be richly passionate!

6. Keep humor at the forefront of thought, laughing at and with yourself when possible. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! I am yet to see a comedian ever go hungry even though his jokes are as 'old as great-grandma'. Life has so much to offer than for you to mope around in self pity. Humor is very attractive, very passionate: life-giving.

7. Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. No one can take your passionate future from you except for YOU! Create your life authentically. As long as there's still breath in your body, there is no end to how much you can accomplish in a lifetime. The concept of thinking big is all about enjoying your work, which would lead to celebrating a discovery that is born within you. Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.

It's interesting how people get wallowed up by something trivial as learning to use a computer, when nowadays those top computer companies are manufacturing software that even the kids can use it. I don't mean to be condescending, but that's the idea of not having any positive thinking in your life - you'll just end up as a dim bulb in a dark corner.

So instead of subjecting yourself to what you will be doomed for, make your path by taking the first step with a positive attitude.