Tips for a positive mental attitude

With the onset of the new year, I believe that our attitude towards life has a strong bearing on how we deal  life.

I strongly believe that no matter how uncomfortable the situation that might  cross  our path or how Herculean the task may be, if we have a positive attitude it truly helps ease it.

I remember a story of  an experiment wherein two boys were placed on different rooms. Boy A occupied a room full of balloons and toys.  While Boy B was placed in an empty room with horse manure.

The following day, the researchers went inside the room of Boy A and found out that the boy was bubbling with happiness and mirth. Then they went into the room of Boy B and  found out that he was a happy as Boy A. They were surprised of his reaction. They asked him “How come you are happy inside this room with horse manure?” Boy B, with a smile on his face,  answered, “I was waiting for a horse to come  because of the horse manure?”

Writer Jim Rohn believes that  our attitude is an asset and a treasure. He said, “A person who feels a positive attitude about himself and the world around him can gain inner strength in any obstacle that may affect the area of his existence.  People can affect our attitude, but no one can control our attitude unless we voluntarily surrender that control. No one else can make us angry, except ourselves. If we select a volatile attitude by becoming angry, jealous, or suspicious, we have failed the test.”

In the same light, renown Dale Carnegie cites out the following tips on how to cultivate a positive mental attitude that will bring peace and happiness. 

Let’s fill our minds with thoughts  of peace, courage, health and hope, for our life is what our thoughts make it.

Let’s never try to get even with our enemies  because if we do we will hurt ourselves far more than we hurt them.  Let’s do as General Eisenhower does, “Let’s never waste a minute thinking about people we don’t like.”

Instead of worrying about ingratitude, let’s expect it. Let’s remember that Jesus healed the lepers in one day- and only one thanked Him.  Why should we expect more gratitude than Jesus got?

Let’s remember that the only way to find happiness is not to expect gratitude, but to give for the joy of giving.

Let’s remember that gratitude is a “cultivated” trait; so if we want our children to be grateful, we must train them to be grateful.

Count your blessings – not your troubles. Doing so will make you feel good.

Let’s not imitate others. Let’s find ourselves and be ourselves. For “ envy is ignorance” and “imitation is a suicide.”

When fate hands us a lemon, let’s try to make a lemonade. No matter how uncomfortable the situation may come in our way, let’s do something to make it better.

Let’s forget our own unhappiness by trying to create a little happiness for others. “When you are good to others, you are best to yourself.”

Email:kathey_oyson@yahoo.com