Love Life

This title from a well known song is the inspiration for this month’s offering!

Positive thinking is what we are all supposed to do these days and yet tuning into the news I haven’t heard a positive story for months. Walking around I have heard so many folk on a sunny day exclaiming, “I doubt this will last!”

Too often we speckle our sentences with ‘hopefully’ or say things like “It would be just my luck if…”

Why do we do it? Why do we focus on the negative or pre-pave our future with failure?

Perhaps this dates back to historical times when the summer following winter wasn’t necessarily taken for granted. Never counting your blessings was the way to go. “Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.”

It is said that positive thoughts jump the synaptic gaps in our brain, therefore creating a chain of thoughts. Negative thoughts cannot do this, so…

The year is 2011. To date the sky hasn’t fallen in, the world hasn’t ended and hell has yet to freeze over. I believe that being positive is a good thing, I myself have wished for something for Christmas that hasn’t arrived and survived, so why not wish for the good things in life and if they don’t happen…well I find a bar of chocolate helps!

For some there have been past disappointments and failures and I hear so often that there’s no point wishing for good things. Our brains are very good at creating what we are looking for – ever wanted a certain car and suddenly seen lots of them? If we focus on failure and bad luck, this is what we will find.
So here are some ways to look on the bright side of life!

Tip#1: Relax!

Stretch, shake, wiggle and wobble. Open your arms sideways and stretch them, feel the expanse of space that you occupy and own it. Reach above your head and realise that you deserve space and relaxation. Tension pulls on the membranes covering your brain and restricts your thinking – being relaxed and moving easily creates feel good hormones that improve your day instantly.

Tip#2: What’s the worst thing that can happen?

Sometimes we feel nervous when trying something new. Our brains go through endless ‘what if’ scenarios and create all sorts of embarrassments and failures for us. Think of the worst possible outcome – a business failing, someone saying no to you, not losing those few pounds. As you are now you have nothing already, so the only way IS up…if something doesn’t work it’s always to lead you to something that does, so follow your nose and enjoy the adventure!

Tip#3: Imagine…

As I have mentioned we have these amazing, versatile creating machines in our heads that love to think, think, think!
Studies have shown that our brains cannot tell the difference between imagining doing something and actually doing it. This is why athletes visualise their courses and games.

So get creative! Daydream, draw pictures, cut out images from magazines to build an image that you want. Perhaps use visualisation Cds for relaxation, or create your own places to journey to and create possibilities.

You may also like to write a wish list – add on all the things you have always wanted to happen, however impossible they seem. Find a trusted friend and tell them your dreams – don’t tell too may people, just one or two that may support you in your first steps of creating.

The most important thing is – have fun! Joy, laughter, happiness and love create an energy around you that attracts other people also on the positive path. Remember periodically to be grateful for the things you have, now – counting your blessings is after all a fabulous, time honoured tradition!

© Nicky Marshall 2011
www.holisticinsights.co.uk