Benefits of Positive Thinking

​“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” — Dalai Lama
 
The benefits of positive thinking are now being supported in every field of life. I can remember many years ago when that was not the case. A friend of mine once told me my positive thinking was exhausting. Living with me today I know I can still wear my wife down because my mind never stops searching for some experience or information that focuses on the positive.
 
A key to allowing positive information to flow into my life is to limit the inflow of negativity. We have decided that we will watch only one television broadcast of news each evening. And that has to be EARLY evening not right before bedtime. Anything beyond that is just too much negativity and saturates our minds with sad, unfortunate local events and horrendous global events. I prefer to spend more time exploring positive advice or suggestions that support the things that are important to me, or that open new worlds to me.
 
I love searching the internet to tap into the many resources that can foster growth in specific areas of my life. Deepening my spirituality is exciting to me. I love tapping into the experiences of the men and women who have had the same desire and express beautifully how they have walked their journey of life and have grown in their appreciation of God, their trials and their blessings.
 
Maintaining good physical health is an area that I love to explore. There are so many positive things published today to boost our own efforts to maintain good health and sustain an active lifestyle. This article was send to me by a friend.
 
The following comes from Harvard Health Publications, Trusted advice for a healthier life:
 
"There is a power in positive thinking. Positive emotions are linked with better health, longer life, and greater well-being. On the other hand, chronic worry, and hostility increase the risk of developing heart disease.
For some people, being happy comes naturally and easily. Others need to work at it.
 
How does one go about becoming happier? That's where positive psychology comes in. This relatively new field of research has been exploring how people and institutions can support the quest for increased satisfaction and meaning. It has uncovered several routes to happiness." 
 
I am reading a recently published book by Fr. Richard Rohr
The Divine Dance that supports my vision of the spirituality I want to expand in life. The Divine Dance makes accessible and practical the Christian tradition's most surprising gift.....God as Community...as Friendship... as Dance.
 
The following is a quote from the book that once again supports that thinking positive can change our lives for the better.
 
"Be reminded that neuroscience now tells us that fear, negativity, and hatred stick like Velcro to the nerves, while positivity, gratitude, and appreciation slide away like Teflon from those same nerves--until we savor them, or chose them, for a minimum of conscious fifteen seconds! Only then do they imprint!”
                                Rick Hanson, Hardwiring Happiness.
       
Fr. Rohr then says “Please reflect on this. The positive, loving and non-argumentative savoring of the moment is called contemplation.”
 
I could go on forever quoting books, articles and information that continues to just show up since I starting writing my Positive Pops blog. There are times when negativity is present from the previous day. On those occasions I do remind myself that today starts with a clean slate offering me positive possibilities.