The Power of Positive Thought

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars - Oscar Wilde.

Positive thought is about the recognition that we are empowered with a degree of control over our destiny. It is the realization that by doing our best along a pathway that is right we achieve as much as we possibly can. Doing this brings the knowledge and satisfaction that we could have done no more.

Positive thought is not about optimism or pessimism. These are related to future expectation. It’s easier for an optimist to think positively; but even a natural pessimist can adopt a positive attitude, though they expect the worst they can recognize that a positive approach in the here and now will affect the future and make it not so bad as it might have been.

Neither is positive thought about unrealistic expectation or denial of that which should be addressed. It is about making the best of what we can change and accepting what we can’t.

There are two kinds of events in life. Those we can control – or at least influence – and those we can’t.

Obviously it’s natural to be more positive about things we can influence. First we must identify how we’d like that event to turn out. This is not always as easy as it sounds as we ourselves may be subject to numerous external influences. We may need to visualize ourselves in a range of outcomes of the event in question. We should listen to our head and our heart but ultimately we should be true to our own essential, instinctive feeling. That which simply feels right probably is.

Having actively decided how we would like an event to turn out we can apply ourselves completely positively to making our desire into reality. Of course we may not always be completely successful, but in making our best effort along a path we know to be right we shall achieve the best outcome possible.

Events we cannot change (often because they’ve already happened) must be accepted. That which is, is! We should not give way to negative thinking over them, eg bitterness, anger, resentment, regret… for negative thinking is not only pointless but also distracts and wastes valuable energy. Much (if not all) of what happens to us occurs for a reason. We may even have chosen it before incarnating into flesh, or it may be presented as an opportunity to learn and grow. Either way there is no point resisting the irresistible. Far better to focus one’s energy towards what can be positively influenced.

Suppose a person loses their job. It would be too easy to sink into despair. But that is unlikely to find them a new job as well as overpowering the positive thought essential for moving forwards. A better approach is to accept the situation. On the one hand unfortunate, but on the other a challenge and an opportunity. Perhaps the chance to try something different, to stretch one’s capabilities in new ways and in so doing to fulfill our true purpose in being here, the growth of the Spirit. A side effect of positive thought is absolute freedom from regret.

The biggest obstacle to positive thought is fear of failure, or rather, fear of the disappointment of failure. But disappointment is a human emotion of no Spiritual significance. Expect nothing, but know that anything is possible. And in this knowledge pursue your life path(s) with energy, confidence and focus.

If you believe and know something is right and possible for you positive thought will keep you progressing relentlessly towards that goal, even when it’s against the odds and contrary to the well-meaning but ill-informed advice of negative naysayers. Where there is will there is way. It is from this true positivity that that which is really special can, and often does, arise.