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?
100 Day Challenge: Day 8
First week down, overall nothing really earth shattering. But I am seeing a lot of positive things show up in life.
I haven't been able to come up with much write today, my brain has been fried. I'm pretty sure I have the flu. I probably shouldn't have gone to work, but I did because if I had called in sick my co-worker would have been left by himself to handle both chats and phones. There were a lot of chats, so I'm glad I was there to take care of that. Once the next person on the shift showed up I bailed. So here I am, I should probably be lying down or something but at least I'm resting 
I'm thinking of some goals for this week:
- Finish setting up a picture gallery for my sister
- Get at least half-way through Think and Grow Rich
- Get at least half-way through ProBlogger
- Keep brainstorming site ideas
- Keep a positive attitude about things
Wish me luck!
P.S. Leave a comment and join the forums would you? I'm getting lonely in here 
100 Day Challenge: Day 7
Today's lesson seems to be to slow down and let life unfold as it will.
I had a list of things I wanted to do today, but a splitting headache made me re-evaluate what's important right now Oh well I've been brainstorming new ideas.
An interesting thing that happened last night that I didn't mention was that I was thinking about my future and where I want to go. For the first time, I thought about opening a Karate studio and was completely comfortable with the idea. Even more I actually saw a picture of myself as a school owner while I was thinking about it. So there's something else that I'm going to be spending some more time looking into. It's also giving me another piece to my purpose for wanting to accumulate money. That's a definite win!
I did manage to walk to Borders and pick up a copy of a book I came across that had some pretty good reviews on writing a blog professionally (ProBlogger by: Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett). I've read a good portion of the first chapter and so far it seems like I'm a good candidate for someone who can make some income doing this. Although, even if I don't make anymore money than just to offset the cost of hosting this site, I'll be extremely happy.
This site is something I've been wanting to start for a number of years. It wasn't until hitting what felt like a pretty hard bottom with the way I've been living life that I decided I needed a new outlet for my creativity. So here we are now
Some other things I did manage to do today were that I went to a demo practice this morning and I did get signed up for Ad Sense today as well. I haven't read anything new out Think and Grow Rich yet. I am going to write my purpose statement to use Autosuggestion and reinforce what I'm working toward though
Well despite things being a bit rough today, I look back and it has been productive. So as long as I'm moving forward I figure that's what counts
I am trying to figure out how to get people to the forums. The thing would probably be a WordPress plugin! Then I'll have to start some topics to get people interested. Maybe tomorrow while I'm doing laundry at the Laundry Mat.
I'll be posting a new video tomorrow as well.
So everyone stay tuned and feed the Comment Monster, he's been lonely.
100 Day Challenge: Day 6
I have the beginning of a migraine. Oh well, I'll see how I feel in the morning
I didn't have any earth shattering revelations today, I did however see lots of people doing things they love to do and making what I'm assuming is at least a good living. My brother-in-law Dave left a Facebook status the other day that said he was happy my sister is making more money taking pictures than he is working as an EMT. I know he's happy for my sister, but I think he's also happy that he doesn't have to work overtime any more From what I've seen it's been good, they seem to have a lot more adventures together now, they and their two daughters. So really what more can you ask for doing something you enjoy?
I've also been thinking about how much I've been enjoying writing these blog posts every day. Sometimes (like now) there are times where I think it would be easier to go to bed. But I'd rather let my creative juices flow.
Something great that did happen today, was that I was talking to my above mentioned sister Brittney and she said she's been reading my blog. She said it's like reading a good book and told me I should have started writing a while ago Thanks Sis!
With following my passion, I am becoming more and more enthusiastic about helping people improve their lives. A big reason I'm doing this is so that I can show other people how to do it. I've seen some amazing things over the last few years and I'm sure it's because of the kind of thinking I'm involved with now. So I figure a great way to help the world become a better place is to show people what can happen with a little faith and some diligent work.
Notice I didn't say hard, reading some positive material on how to change your thought processes, being more conscious of my thought processes, and working to change them really are anything but hard. I'm starting to be more playful with it, a better word would probably be curious. I'm not particularly attached to the outcome, after all when I take a step back and look at my life really hard. I really don't have anything to complain about, I have a job, I go to school, I study Martial Arts, I have a loving family, I live in a beautiful valley, I've never known what it's like to starve. As a US citizen I have lot to be thankful for. As well as a real heritage that I think needs to be lived up to.
I have had some other ideas floating around in my head but now the migraine is really starting to make itself known, so I'll save them for later
Make your life a great one!
P.S. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
100 Day Challenge: Day 5
I find it funny, although not unexpected. That I seem to be encountering different lessons every day that I've been going along so far.
Today's lesson has seemed to be: "I'm where I'm at because of the choices I've made."
I've been studying Martial Arts for about six years now and you think I would have learned that no one is forcing me to do anything. I attend classes of my own free will. Simple enough, but still there are times when you are leaning new things or being asked to perform an exercise and you can't help but think: "why me?" or "why are you doing this to me?" Deep down I understand it's for my benefit. It's getting past the aching legs and learning to remain calm through the process that is the difficult part.
With that idea in mind other experiences today have reminded me of the same thing. I was on my way to teach Karate and I left my apartment a bit later than I planned to. On the way to the studio I ended up behind a guy driving a piece of industrial equipment. He's only able to do 15 MPH. My first thought was: "Why? I'm in a hurry!" Then I stopped myself and thought, well if I'd left on time I wouldn't be stuck behind this guy. It was my choices that lead me to where I am now. So I laughed at myself and of course within the next block they guy made a right as I made a left and that was that. I still made it to the studio with time to spare
I've realized this with other things today as well, my Math 1010 class for instance. I'm not really enjoying the class all that much. It's been more of a pain in the butt than anything. But I forced myself to realize that it's because I slacked off in high school and that I projected myself into the future last semester that I'm having to re-take the class.
There are only two modes of thinking, you're either a creator or a victim.
A creator takes things in life as learning experiences, once a goal has been met it reinforces the behavior pattern. If something doesn't work, a creator will step back and analyze where mistakes were made so they won't be repeated in the future. To do that means accepting the consequence for your actions. This method of thinking takes courage, but "If it's meant to be, it's up to me!" (I'm not sure if my Karate Instructor Adam Smith said that or if he got it from his Life Coach Jeff Allen, or maybe someone else said it before both of them. At least I tried to give credit!)
So taking on my responsibility to be an active participant in bringing the things I want into my life. I have realized that I need to provide a service in exchange for the money that I desire during this process (it came up while I was reading Think and Grow Rich today.) The best services I can think to offer is to share my experiences with people. Which I've been doing very consistently and will continue to do so. But I also want to do more.
I've decided that while this site is a side project, I am going to dedicate a large portion of my free time to developing a site which I would like to grow into a community where people can come and exchange ideas and help each other along life's path.
Please feed the Comment Monster and tell me how I'm doing or about any suggestions, they're much appreciated!