Why Positive Thinking Doesnt Work!

There was someone I used to work with who, well aware
of their tendency to look at the negative side of things,
used to constantly tell themselves to "think more
positively".

This was said with such a feeling of desperation that I just
knew that not only would they NOT think positively, they
would probably go even further into negative thinking. The
mere fact that they kept pushing themselves to "think
positively" was a sign that this would ultimately be
counterproductive.

So many of us have interpreted the desire to be positive
thinkers in a very narrow and ultimately ineffective way.
The push to be positive often results in ignoring our
true feelings. Instead of recognizing that we don't always
feel positive and learning how to convert and turn round our
feelings, it so often ends up with us denying them
altogether.

The Law of Attraction, as defined by Abraham Hicks states
that "you attract to yourself what you give your attention
and energy to, whether wanted or unwanted".

One reason why positive thinking doesn't work is that our
focus is in the wrong place. So we say "I don't want to be
ill" and believe that this thought will prevent us from
being ill. So where is our focus? On being ill!
Because the Universe doesn't recognize "not" or "don't".
How many times have you told yourself NOT to forget
something and then what happens? Oops you've forgotten it!

Another reason why positive thinking doesn't work is that we
often veil our negative feelings with a positive surface.
So we say "I want a loving relationship". Sounds good
right? Except that underneath there is the hidden message
that having a loving relationship wouldn't even be an issue
- unless you'd been in one or a series of not so loving
relationships.

So it's the hidden message and negative feeling around it,
that is still coming through. Ultimately, you're still
pushing against something and it's still
counterproductive. You're likely to attract more unloving
relationships, even though you THINK you've stated
otherwise.

How can you begin to reverse this? Rather than focusing on
your thoughts, focus on your feelings about a given
situation or what you would like the situation to be. Start
to visualise and sense what you truly desire. Focus on
ramping up good, positive, energetic feelings about what
you desire, rather than the thought.

Practically you can do this by building a "creation box" of
pictures, ideas, notes, to stimulate your imagination of how
you'd like things to be. Appreciating lifes abundance in
what you already have by keeping an appreciation journal,
feeling and acting like the prosperous person you actually
are and channelling your good feelings into what you desire.

In fact, instead of being a positive thinker, aim to become
a positive feeler - it's much more visceral and real. Live
your life as though you already have what you desire and
you'll make way for it to come to you.

Julie Plenty helps writers, artists and photographers
prosper in their business by helping them build a strong
personal foundation, because they ARE their business. For
more self growth and personal development articles, and to
sign up for her Life Design newsletter, visit:
http://www.self-help-personal-development.com

OregonLive.com

West Linn teen receives Children's Cancer Association award for courage while ... OregonLive.com By Rachel Stark, The Oregonian View full sizeChildren's Cancer AssociationOlivia Trueb, 13, was honored this month for her positive attitude while battling common variable immune deficiency. Olivia Trueb, a 13-year-old West Linn resident, ...

Hard work and positive attitude - passion of a Cavan GAA team player from Yonkers IrishCentral I was thrown onto a Gaelic football pitch probably at the age of five. Davey, my Dad, a strong GAA man saw the amount of energy I had as a child and thought, what better way to let her release it than to run around a football pitch.

Positive attitude despite negative results The Press In five seasons with the Canterbury Tactix, they've won just 13 games, has finished last twice and is on track for a third ANZ Championship wooden spoon. But anyone that's ever heard a post-loss interview or spent five minutes with the 15-time Silver ... and more »

Survey shows positive attitude in Brush School District Brush News Tribune By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor The Brush School District fared well in regards to comments received from a recent survey. At Tuesday's work session of the Board of Education (BOE), Greg McKenzie, president and founder of Window to Leadership LLC, ... and more »

Column by Bobbi Seidel: Positive attitude comes from within and without Asbury Park Press Where did you get that positive attitude? I asked. How do you keep it? Over breakfast one morning, the petite woman with honey-colored hair and dark eyes told me. “I've always had it,” says Welcome, 75, smiling. “It's something you have to find within ...

The Unknown Soldiers: Maintaining a positive attitude under adversity Leavenworth Times By Tom Sileo Less than a month after Staff Sgt. Travis Mills lost his arms and legs in a southern Afghanistan terrorist attack, his wife, Kelsey, paused to reflect on an unimaginable ordeal. "I can either curl up in a ball and cry or keep going," ... and more »

Mitchell uses smile, positive attitude to stave off cancer Chatham Star Tribune By STEPHANIE A. JAMES Instead of focusing on the challenges that cancer can bring, Lisa Mitchell has focused on the positive. “Why waste time on anger or bitterness,” said Mitchell, who is battling cancer a second time after it was in remission for ...

A Heart of Gold Virginia Connection Newspapers They champion hope that with hard work, a positive attitude, and support there will be a "New day, a new chance." The man who speaks them believes them and lives them himself. His voice is warm and steady with a calm conviction as the words of wisdom ...

Ali Krieger keeps positive attitude about Olympics Inside NoVA But even if it does not work out, Krieger is keeping a positive attitude. “She's accepted the fact that she might not be in the Olympics,” said her father Ken. “Her main goal is to be healthy.” After the injury happened, Krieger was expected to be out ... and more »

Toledo Blade

LaPorta keeps positive attitude with Clippers Toledo Blade BY JOHN WAGNER Matt LaPorta, right, who played first base on Saturday for Columbus, is working on getting back to the Indians after a rough spring. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints For the past two seasons, Matt LaPorta has been a ... and more »