Most of us like being around positive people.
Happy, upbeat, good-humored folks make us feel good. Rarely, have I heard anyone say, “Gee, I wish Pleasant Polly would pack up her bag of cheer and go home.”
More often than not, we gravitate toward those who are cheerful. They inspire and encourage. We’re drawn into their beautiful world of “I can.” It’s comfy there. And in today’s old world, comfy is a good thing.
In my blog post Can: Feel the Power I talked about the incredible impact of a positive attitude.
Here’s an excerpt:
No. Won’t. Never. Not now. I can’t. How do those words make you feel? Do they motivate you? When you hear someone use them, are you inclined to remain in his or her company very long, or would you rather hightail it out of there to sunnier paths?
I’ve always felt that negativity breeds perceived failure. Positivity, however, empowers. It draws success. If we always focus on I can’t then no, we probably won’t.
I can’t doesn’t take chances. I can’t sabotages. I can’t refuses opportunity. It willingly closes the door to the sunshine that’s waiting on our doorstep. I can, however, takes risks. I can motivates. I can welcomes challenges. Unlike its antonym, I can throws open every door and window in the house to that fiery ball of heat and welcomes it!
Now, I’m not some prima donna who thinks every day is going to be peachy-keen perfect. (I do venture out of my glass house once in a while!) And although I’m typically a positive person, I do have my off days just like everyone else. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t, and God understands that. There are indeed days and trials in our lives and on this earth that just leave us emotionally spent, exhausted, and sad.
When I’m sucked into the tempting vacuum of I can’t, I sometimes have to kick and scream my way out of the dust bag onto the fresh carpet of I can. I have to consciously make the effort to see the good, instead of the bad. To dance in the rain alongside some puddles.
Would you like to visit the beautiful world of I Can? Better yet, would you like to live there? You can!
Here’s how:
- Begin each day with prayer. Ask God to renew your spirit. Remember to thank Him.
- Make a list of five things you’re thankful for. (I use sticky notes and place them on my office walls!)
- Write down three goals each day. Determine to meet all three, but confidently aim for at least one.
- Pay it forward. Let your intentions be honorable; God will bless your efforts!
- Strike negative words from your vocabulary. Throw a penny/quarter/dollar in a jar when you cheat.
- Get rid of the naysayer mentality. Reaffirm your uniqueness by studying God’s word.
- Don’t willingly place yourself in no-win situations. Naturally, some circumstances are beyond our control. Others aren’t.
- Remove temptation. Don’t believe the lies of reality T.V. and why you’re destined for failure. Turn that sucker off and do something constructive!
- Do something that you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t yet. Seize the moment.
- Shake off your straitjacket of fear and accept the medal of victory. Because you can!
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Are you a positive, upbeat kind of person, or are you a bit more reserved?
How do you deal with negativity in your life?
What are your I Can tips?
Photo Credit: Evgeni Dinev/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Blessings Always,
Comments 10
Great ways to stay positive, Cynthia! I love it. I’m usually upbeat. The glass is not half empty or half full, my cup runneth over–even if it’s invisible at the moment. LOL
My mornings with Jesus make all the difference in the day and attitude I have.
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Jess, I love your “cup runneth over” mindset! (And we all have those days when we need to re-charge and top off our cup with a little encouragement. You’re not alone. = ) )
You had such a spot-on post this morning. There’s power in His name!
I do have a positive mindset, and I’m getting wise to the enemies tricks that try to bring me down.
Excellent list!
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Loree, I would agree that you are a sunny-dispositioned gal! And way to stay on your toes!
What an uplifting post, Cynthia, packed full of practical tips. As one who grew up in a glass-half-full atmosphere, I can tend to see the world through dark lenses at times. The Lord is helping clear my vision and giving me a more positive outlook.
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Keli, it’s amazing how God can shift our focus and give us “new” eyes.
You’re such an inspiration and you do have plenty to smile about! (Looking forward to your debut soon, friend!)
I’d say I’m pretty upbeat. Loved your vacuum metaphor. Good tips to put into practice.
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Patti, you’re a ray of sunshine! Since I first landed on your blog last year, I knew you’d be an upbeat soul–loved the yellow and “A New Day Dawns” for the description of your site. Thank you for being a great encourager!
Oh, I love this! Such a positive, inspiring post! I wish more people would be so cheerfully determined to be positive forces on the world.
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Caryn, we’ve all walked the lonely valley of heartache at one time or another, but I believe we can choose to be bitter or better.
So glad you visited today!