I did end up going for a run last night, and I’m so glad I did. I obviously had a lot on my mind, because as soon as I got out the door I started thinking about my life, my problems and my attitudes. I’ve always had a nasty habit of being a glass-half-empty kind of person, and I’m constantly putting myself down and thinking negative thoughts.
Why? All it does is make me miserable. I have so many things to be thankful for, and yet I waste so much time wishing I was a few pounds lighter or a few pounds richer.
So for every negative thought that crossed my mind, I thought of a positive alternative. Read the bits below in bold, and you’ll probably get the impression that my life pretty much sucks. Read the rest, and I’ll probably come across as being incredibly lucky and fortunate. It just goes to show how powerful positive thinking is.
- I don’t have the best body in the world, but nor am I overweight. In fact I’m not even close to being overweight. I really need to remind myself of that more often.
- I don’t have my own flat, but I’m lucky enough to still be able to live at home with my parents while I’m saving up.
- I haven’t got the best or the most well-paid job in the world, but I have a job, and in the current climate that’s something I should be grateful for. I have a fair and understanding boss, colleagues I get on with and I rarely have days where I dread going into the office.
- I can’t run for miles and miles, in fact some days I struggle to even run one. But at least I can run. I’m young and healthy, whereas so many people in the world are suffering from illnesses.
- I’m not the best writer in the world, but I try my best. And I’m fortunate to have a job that allows me to write and get paid for it.
- I’m not out there chasing all my dreams, but at least I have dreams.
- I don’t have a boyfriend and I’m not the most popular person in the world, but I have good friends and a family who love me.
- I’m not travelling around the world, but I’m off to Thailand in a week. The rest of the world will still be there if, and when, I decide to take the plunge.
- I’m not rich, but nor am I poor. I have enough money not to have to worry about every single penny all the time, and for that I’m so thankful. So many people are living in poverty and don’t even have enough money to eat.
- I’m not perfect, but I’m a nice person. I’m loyal, hardworking, trustworthy and I care about others.
- I’m not completely happy or content, but I’m working on it. And that’s enough for now.
Last night’s run wasn’t particularly fast or long. In fact, I probably didn’t even cover three miles. And I ended up walking bits of it. But I did the whole thing with a smile on my face. And that the end of the day, isn’t that what’s important?
Are you generally quite a positive or a negative person? What are you thankful for?
Small Changes Add Up 
I really love this 🙂 I definitely believe in the power of positive thinking, and this is a great reminder! It is so easy to get down in the dumps when everything isn’t perfect, but you’re right, we are pretty fortunate (just if you are reading blogs and worrying about eating too much food, we are the lucky ones).
wow, this post is awesome girlie 🙂 i think being positive is SO life changing! any situation can be seen in a positive or negative light and that really affects how we see everything in our lives. I definetly choose a positive outlook because it makes me appreicate what ive got and also i love to try and find the good in any situaion because the only other alternative is being unhappy..and who wants that?
have a great night hun
xxxx
i love this post 🙂 Who cares if your the thinnest girl in the work, or has the best paying job or can run for hours. What matters is if your happy with life 😀
Hey- Great Post! I had always heard of the power of ‘postive thinking’ but I never actually believed that the thoughts or the language I used could govern my whole life and how I felt about myself! But it does really work! It helps you believe in yoruself. We all only have one life to live so we better love oursleves and enjoy it! Check out my blog for more of what I think about positive thinking : )
http://peacelovenutrition.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/positive-thinking/
What a beautiful post! I certainly agree that it’s so important to take a step back and realize how much we DO have in our lives and how lucky we really are. I think it’s pretty common to focus on stress and the negatives in life, especially when things get overwhelming. But it makes a big difference when you are able to turn things around and acknowledge the good in life! 🙂
xxoo
Heather
Check out my bad hair day yesterday…my best friend and I in high school always quoted “I can complain that the rose has a thorn” (do you remember THAT girl in highschool, the one yapping about a chipped nail) or rejoice that the thorn bush has a rose…” It is all up to you. Life is very short to be your own worst enemy.
Oh my gosh!! I can literally relate to every single thing you wrote. I honestly feel like it could have been me writing it. Thanks for reminding me of how fortunate I really am. I’ve actually been working on post very similar to that, but couldn’t get myself to open up enough to actually write it!
You should be so proud of yourself for being able to be that positive!
I’m really going to work on being more positive, thanks for the motivation!
great list! I sometimes struggle with negative thinking and agree that balancing out the negatives with a positive REALLY helps change my mood/attitude- it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong, but much more helpful to focus on what’s right/going well 😀
Happy Thursday!
I too have a nasty habit of being negative. I don’t even realize I am doing it sometimes!! This is a great idea…just always having a come back for those negative thoughts!
Love this post! I tend to be a negative person (actually a lot of the stuff you wrote about flows through my head), but I’ve been keeping it more positive these days–makes me a lot happier and have more energy. I think it’s so important to be optimistic and happy. The key to great health 🙂
Great post!I try not to think about the negative things going on in my life and instead focus on the positive ones. I just read an article actually that optimists live longer so cheers to positive thinking!
hi sam! how are you doing? just wanted to say its awesome to see a uk blog on here! love reading your blog, carry on being positive! and whenever you are in london, feel free to give me a shout! i can take you to the massive whole foods here! take care xxx
Thanks for stopping by! It’s nice to have a UK reader! (Not that I don’t love all my awesome American readers!) Do you live in London then? I’m about half an hour outside the city. I love the Whole Foods in Kensington, I could quite happily live there! Would definitely be up for a blogger meet-up 😀
What a wonderful post! Your blog is quickly becoming one of my favorites. 🙂
I’m generally a pretty optimistic person, but I still have those same negative thoughts that you do, particularly when it comes to fitness. I think I’ll take today to work on my positive thinking.
I’m a naturally negative person but the last few years I’ve been making an effort to be the opposite. It’s been really hard but lately I have found I’m more naturally positive!
Wow! This post made me smile!:D My problem is that I find it hard to be contented with what I have right now. However, when we try to see our lives from a different perspective, we realize that we are okay the way we are. You have a fabulous life girl! 😀
Great post. I struggle with being positive and finding things to be thankful for and I have so much, yet I tend to focus on the things that rob me of joy.
Thanks for sharing your perspective!