Take Hold of Positive Thinking

In today’s negative and current tough economic times, we often find ourselves grasping for good news.  Although we can't completely control what goes on in the world, we can still control our thinking and our attitudes.

As Abraham Lincoln once said, "I've come to realize that people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."  I believe this wholeheartedly and have come to understand that imagined perception has power to produce. 

For the first time, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index™ has composed the Thriving-Struggling-Suffering Index for Americans revealing that, in the first two weeks of November 2008, the average number of struggling Americans hit 60 percent-a rise of 14 percent from the beginning of 2008. Additionally, the weekly average of Americans thriving hit a new low of 36 percent.

The Index reflects both how people view their lives at this time and their perception of their life over the next five years.  With such negative views, how are “We the People” who comprise those that live the “American Dream” to move ahead with hope?

The first critical step to moving forward in a more positive direction is to think positive.  Just thinking a positive thought often produces a positive outcome.  Therefore, if we are going to move forward in an optimistic direction, we must remove our “stinkin’ thinkin’” toxic thoughts and take affirmative thought action to assure the future gets better.

Why is positive thinking so critical?

Conclusive evidence proves that believing, trusting; putting your faith in a specific thought produces an outcome that is similar to that which is imagined; positive or negative.  Studies even prove that realists, who form views based on facts only, are more depressed.

Thinking that medicine will make you feel better actually may - even if it's fake, according to research examining the placebo effect. Many people question if Hypnosis is beneficial or is it fake.  Based on my practice and experience with clients I say astonishingly YES!

In one study, they found that a specific region of the brain is activated by an “expectation”.   The expectation being of pain relief, researchers said, shifts the focus from pain to pain relief, thus activating a reduction of activity in the portion of the brain that senses pain.

In a placebo study, volunteers put inside MRI machines had either electric shocks or heat applied to the arm. The pain activated all the expected neural pathways, researchers from the University of Michigan and Princeton University reported.

Then, researchers smeared on a cream they said would block the pain. In fact, it was a regular skin lotion.  When the volunteers were zapped again, they reported significantly less pain - and pain circuits in the brain showed they really felt better. Those were the same brain regions that respond to painkilling medication.

Then researchers spread on cream again, this time telling the volunteers it was a placebo - and they hurt all over again.  The lead researcher, Dr. Tania Singer of University College of London, likened it to a vivid feeling when imminent pain is “imagined” and the heart speeds up before the actual sensation arrives.

The message is clear, “Manage your Mind”.  It's important that you realistically expect something to work, so you enhance the positive effect.  Coaching can really help you change your beliefs that no longer serve you well.

 Your brain works to affect what you think, learn, remember, feel, and all the actions you will take.  Do you understand that it is your mind that allows you to be happy, maximize your potential, and live physically healthy?  Do you know that it is your mind that affects the mental and physical responses that react to stress, causing chronic heightening of blood pressure and muscle tension, irritability, anxiety and depression—and a lowering of immune effectiveness?

 If you have any doubt that your thoughts affect everything in, and around you, I certainly can provide you with the research that will change your mind and alter your beliefs, profoundly.

 Studies reveal, time and time again that thought energy-intentions, beliefs, faith, all affect our physical body’s molecular structure. 

 I’ve often heard people say, “Stick and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt me.”  Don’t believe that for one second!  Personally I have been affected by the damage words can do mentally and emotionally, to destroy a human being’s sense of self worth, desire to succeed, mislead, create a domino affect of panic, and influence a person’s ability to live according to their full potential.  Additionally, I have seen words empower others to do things beyond their wildest dreams. 

 Words, language both verbal and non-verbal, pictures, music, all have the power to destroy or build your “self” and your future.  They produce “mindsets” that are the guiding principles you live by.  These mindsets paint a portrait in the landscape of your mind which sets the stage that affects every area of your life.  From your minds landscape and the perceptions it forms, everything comes to life or dies from there.  

 In my “Manifest Success” seminar individuals learn about how the hidden persuaders-forces of power, work in the unseen realm of the mind.  Everything we think, believe and do is an expression of our “mindset”.  Whether we are thinking or expressing we are shaping our future and others. 

Today especially, we must learn Mind Management skills, how to think positive, and how to communicate effectively.  People who worry all the time can change that ineffective thinking by listening to "At Peace and Confident" every day until they remember to remember the messages and start feeling more at peace.  By the choices we make, by the attitudes we exhibit, and the ways we communicate are all influencing lives every day in a positive or negative way...our family, our friends, our businesses, our co-workers and clients, and even strangers we've never met before and will never meet again.

When I started MindScapes Unlimited, shortly after a 20 year marriage ended and living on a bare bones budget, I remember having to sew up the holes in my socks. At first I whined because I was focusing on my financial situation.  Not being able to just throw them away and buy a new pair as in the past, I felt sad, mad, and helpless.  

 In this period of surviving, I shaved off the balls on my sweaters, polished my shoes, trimmed my own bangs, painted my own nails, cleaned my own house, and washed my own truck.  I made simple but soulful gifts that came from my heart like putting together a gift bag of bath salts, tealites, and a sweet poem telling friends and family to take time for their self.  I bought beautiful water goblets for a dollar, put some chocolates, a candy cane, a lottery ticket, and a statue of some sort inside and tied a bow around the stem with a name tag-all under $5.  If I could have given myself a back rub I would have done that too. 

 Then with some reassessment of my thinking, it occurred to me how wasteful and fortunate to spend freely I had previously been.  Having a printer breakdown and finding no one to repair it, I realized our dump sites are filled full of printers than only had a small part to fix.  I became aware of our economic system that promotes tossing products to buy new instead of repairing them.   I became grateful of places that recycled.  I set up my bins to collect plastic, paper, glass, aluminum, and became very aware of what items I could recycle. 

 Also, I just paid to put a transmission in my truck versus buying new.  Automobile sales may be down, yet mechanics are doing great business.  Such is the paradox of business.  We must change with the times to survive.  Service is a huge factor right now.  Provide exceptional service and what business there is, you’ll likely get.

 The important thing to remember is to always look at the brightest side of every situation, adding some color and flavor to spice life up a bit to feel better.  Gratitude is essential to staying happy and positive in times of economic challenges.  

 To this positive end I must present one more idea beyond being hopeful, grateful and creative.  And that is, be generous.  In the old days the neighbor used to help shovel the driveway, cook a meal, and offer their talents free of charge, assured kind deeds are returned somehow.  We all need to earn a living.  However, when the income a person is earning is barely making the house payment, it is time for people who are earning a good living to step up to the plate and help their neighbor-neighbor being anybody other than your self.  And those lacking financially can still give generously of their time and talent.

My philosophy in life has always been to make the most of where you are while on your way to where you what to grow and go!  To do that you must believe that life is good, people are good over-all, and getting better all the time.  You must move beyond what used to be-stuck in lack mindedness, and focus on what you can do and what can be-all fresh possibilities.  Anything less is a waste of thought energy.

This article was brought to you by Lori Bestler-America’s Positive Thinking Expert and Change Agent, Motivational Speaker and Strategic Mind Coach. 

Use These Articles In Your Own Publication: It's free and legal ... as long as proper credit is given.  All you have to do is include the following notation along with the reprint of my material:

"Reprinted with permission from Lori Bestler with MindScapes Unlimited.

Lori Bestler runs MindScapes Unlimited Hypnosis and Coaching Center in Stillwater, Minnesota. She specializes in working with Entrepreneurs and Ambitious Professionals with Busy Minds.  She helps clients in the areas of ADHD, Focus and Goal Achievement, Weight Loss, Smoking Cessation and Stress Management.  Lori also teaches a group "Manifesting Success" Mind Training Workshop privately and onsite for corporations that want to help employees achieve peak performance.  Ms. Bestler is President and founder of 4 Dynamic Women (www.4dynamicwomen.com); a motivational speaking and seminar training company for business professionals.

For more information about our programs call Lori at 651-464-9034. 
Free ½ hour phone consultations available.

© 2011   MindScapes UnLimited   Lori Bestler   www.Mindscapesunlimited.com