Thinking Positively?
What's with the concept, I hear people spout it off endlessly!
I've been contemplating what it can really do for you. I've seen plenty of people who spout this stuff, yet their life never seems to go anywhere. While I see people who are not so vocal about it go incredible places.
I think one perception people have (I know I had this perception for a while) is, it's all you need to do to get anywhere. Well I'm going to rain on that particular parade.
The movie: The Secret is a big thing in most life improvement circles. I watch it and it feels really incomplete. It's a pretty good starting point and I think everything you need to accomplish great things is in there. But not all things are treated equally. All of the focus is placed on the thinking. There are a few passing mentions of taking action.
Taking action is where thinking positively really accounts for about everything.
I've had numerous experiences where a problem seemed insurmountable. When I come across problems like those, my first reaction is generally to think: "OH GREAT!!! WHAT DO I DO NOW?" More recently when these problems arise, my second thought is: "Calm down and take a step back." Admittedly it can be difficult with some things. Particularly things that seem really large and seem to demand a solution right then.
One great Hollywood moment I can think of that illustrates this point is in: The Karate Kid Part 3. Daniel and Mr. Miyagi opened a store and through some unforeseen problems have ended up needing money. Daniel with his youthful enthusiasm takes a Bonsai tree (it took a bit of effort to get to where the tree was planted) that Mr. Miyagi had brought from Okinawa years before. The tree ends up in danger of dying. Meanwhile Mr. Miyagi in a great bit of wisdom goes home and goes to sleep. He wakes up in the morning and decides to sell his truck. Which, ends up taking care of the money problem.
While I'm not sure about the metaphysical aspects of thinking positively, I do believe it will have an affect on your behavior in such a way that great things become possible. If you don't believe me take this as an example: You go to your refrigerator for some milk (Soy, Cow, Goat, or what have you) and you find you have none. So you throw on your shoes and head to the store to get some. (Thanks go to Mr. Jeff Allen for the illustration.)
Now take this same scenario, you're out of milk but you don't believe there's any way you can get more. So the process stops right there.
I believe it's exactly the same way with positive thinking. If you think that something can't be done then you give up on the idea. However if you think about how something can be overcome suddenly more options are open to you.
I like the expression: Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but you're not going anywhere.
How often do we sit in our "rocking chairs" thinking that we're doing something but we're not going anywhere?