Choosing to Think Positive

Is it a choice? Yes, it is.

Lots of us get caught up in negativity and soon it is all we can see. Each week I ask my trainees to identify 5 things that are going right in their lives. It's rare that any of them can whip out a list of 5. Sometimes I have people who can't even identify 1 positive thing in their lives. I have been there before, and I have been on an incredible journey to be where I am right now--oozing positivity.

A few weeks ago, my best friend told me he was completely stressed out because of an issue with his house that needed to be fixed. I encouraged him to name 5 things that are going right in his life. He ignored me. Well, because I am a good friend, I came up with a long list (way more than 5) and I will share that with you here:

Your best friend is awesome.
Your son is the coolest thing you have ever created.
You have a wife!! That search is over!
You are employed while many are not.
You have shoes to wear.
You have clothes.
You are able to meet your basic needs.
You have reliable transportation.
Your wife and child have reliable transportation.
You have enough food to eat.
You have tons of awesome t-shirts.
You own your own home.
You have a dog.
You have a library. Lucky bastard.
You have some great and lasting friendships.
You are not afraid to cut toxic people out of your life.
You have morals.
You are not in prison.
You are not in the holocaust.
You live in a nice city.
You don't have neighbor drama.
You have a supportive family.
You have glasses to assist you and meet your needs.
You have a great driving record.
You make a great zombie.
You have all of your teeth.
You have people willing to help you.
You have perfect grammar.
You know how to spell.
Your relationship with your dad is improving.
You are patient.
You are kind.
You are trustworthy.
You have great taste in home decor.
You have an income to afford your home decor needs.
You don't have to steal stuff.
You will eat lunch today.
You have computer skills.
You sleep at night.
People like you.
you rock the bald look.
You are great at alphabetizing.
Your interests are not bizarre.
You have not lost any limbs.
You have your eyes.
You can hear.
You can walk.
You have empathy.
You are capable of love.
And on, and on, and on....


What's a wet subfloor? And, you might be asking yourself, what's my point?

My point is this..... we all have SO MUCH going right in our lives! It far outweighs the negative stuff! If we can focus our energies on all of the good stuff, it will completely change our attitudes for the better! Soon we can see those little black rainclouds part and allow the blue skies to shine through. Suddenly everything takes on a different light and we can think positively.

W. Mitchell is a really fantastic fellow who goes around sharing his story to help people think more positively. He was a marine back in the day, and he liked to have all kinds of adventures. He learned how to fly planes, and he also rode motorcycles. Well, one day back in the 70's, this 28-year-old strong fellow flew an airplane by himself for the very first time. That day he rode his new motorcycle through an intersection in San Francisco and wound up hitting a laundry truck that didn't see him coming. The crash resulted in a "human bonfire" that left Mitchell burned on 65% of his body. The only parts of him that were spared were the portions protected by his helmet and his motorcycle jacket.

He lost all of his fingers. They were burned off of him.

He kept his sense of humor and wits, and he made a great recovery. He moved to Colorado and became mayor of a small town. He was highly successful, even starting a business. His strange appearance didn't stop him!

4 years after that fiery crash, Mitchell got into a plane accident. It broke his spine and he is now paralyzed from the waist down. Two horrific accidents struck Mitchell, but he is one of the most positive people you will ever meet. He says he wouldn't change anything because what he has learned about life and about himself has been utterly priceless.

If he can do it.... so can we. Next time you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, turn the steering wheel in your mind and look at the bright side! You don't have to be negative, ya know! It's a choice!