Beyond Positive Thinking

Positive Thinking is one of the common mantras promoted by the countless self-help gurus and books out there. But what is it and does it work?

Simply, positive thinking is to have an optimistic outlook on life and to keep your thoughts productive and constructive. Old sayings like, "every cloud has a silver lining" is examples of positive thinking. Can this simple method produce good results in life and provide you with happiness?

Well, the theory behind positive thinking is all good and well, however, it can be a lot harder than it first seems. When you are happy and content, then maintaining such a positive attitude can be quite easy. The problems occurs when one is sad and even feeling a little depressed. To start positive thinking at this juncture can be extremely difficult.

You can feel depressed inside and yet try hard to think positive thoughts like saying to yourself, "every cloud has a silver lining". Does it make you feel any better? Probably not! And therein lays the problem with positive thinking alone. It can be quite a superficial exercise and it doesn't necessarily change your state.

The missing part is the emotions. Or should I say, the positive emotions. You see, we can say positive things all day in a rote manner without it actually changing our mood. The power in positive thinking comes when you combine it with your emotions. Your emotions are literally life. It is what gives you life. If you have no emotions, you may as well not be living, for what is there to experience?

To help yourself when you are feeling a little down or are in a difficult situation, yes think positive but add one more ingredient, emotion. You need to feel the nice feelings that come with positive thought in order for it to help.

Try this exercise. Picture yourself at a time when you really enjoyed yourself, a time when everything was going well in life. Now, simply imagine yourself in your own body at that time and see who is around you, what is around you, the scenery, the sounds, the smells, the tastes, get every sense working and bathe yourself in the moment. Take a few moments to do this and as you immerse yourself in the environment, you can begin to feel the sensations of joy, happiness and warmth flow in your body. Really, do this exercise and you will see what I mean and enjoy the moment.

Now, when you come out of the visualization exercise you will be feeling better already, can you feel it? Things can seem a little easier and you can start to refocus your thoughts and feelings onto more productive and positive areas of life. Things are not always as it seems and taking time out to refocus and visualize can help to shift your emotions to putting you back on track to better and better things. When you master this, the you will see better results and truly taking positive thinking beyond.

author: Waiman Yau
source: goarticles.com