Let’s talk about the positive being. But before that, let’s chat about how the universe gives us only 24 hours each day, and how it’s left to us to use these hours how we like. While we may choose to live it anyhow, we might as well choose to be conscious about living our daily 24 hours more positively. But to be honest, staying positive and embracing positivity isn’t as easy as it sounds.

I mean, how would you tell someone who hasn’t eaten all day to stay positive that some food is coming? Imagine meeting someone who has just lost their job and panicking on what to do to pay the impending bills. How would you tell such a person to stay positive? What message of positivity would you preach to a heartbroken soul. Or, how will you inspire someone whose town was ravaged by war to stay positive?

The truth is, staying positive is indeed not an easy task as it’s usually projected to be and easily communicated. Another truth is that the world we live in is quite a challenging one and we keep getting pressed on different sides by diverse situations like the bitter political debates, economic downturns, injustice, killings, hunger, the pandemic, and lots more. And the implication of all of these is that it plunges people into more sadness and anxiety.

Who is the Positive Being?

The positive being is one that has mastered the art of positive psychology and rides on this knowledge to keep pushing past traumatic or unpleasant events and experience less stress. The positive being understands that psychological suffering only gets tuned up the more when painful emotions are resisted and as at such, they wear a positive attitude, knowing that this positive attitude goes way beyond putting up a pretty smile or a facade that fetches compliments but more about keeping an optimistic outlook, even when everything isn’t going as they outrightly want. The positive being is driven by a force of optimism.

Examples of attitudes of a positive being include:

• They face adversity head-on and respond with laughter.
• They accept what comes their way, without throwing tantrums.
• They find joy in unexpected twists, even when they differ from original plans.
• They inspire others with uplifting words.
• They are happy even when they have little.
• They extend kindness to strangers.
• They rise again after falling, no matter the number of setbacks.
• They radiate energy that elevates those around them.
• They prioritize relationships over material possessions.
• They find happiness in simplicity.
• They enjoy the journey, even in loss.
• They celebrate others’ successes with genuine enthusiasm.
• They hold a positive vision for the future, despite current challenges.
• They spread joy through smiles, genuine compliments, and heartfelt praise.
• They make a difference in someone’s day, every day.
• They choose action over complaint and refuse to let negativity bring them down.
• They give selflessly, expecting nothing in return.
• They remain true to themselves, always.

Why Should I Think Positive?

The health benefits of positive psychology have been heavily documented by researchers and psychologists. Speaking of its inception, experts affirm that positive psychology started by primarily focusing on gratifying experiences that promote joy in people but as time passes, psychologists discovered that this kind of happiness wasn’t genuine, given that it drifts far away from a persistent understanding of contentment but clings to just fleeting experiences.

Consequential to this, the concept of positive psychology has adjusted to focusing on fostering and nurturing well-being and satisfaction without escaping or attempting to avoid bad and good emotional experiences but rather experiencing the full range of these emotions.

According to a psychology professor, positive psychology implicates being open to the occurrences and events in the present and keeping up with the good in your life without denying the difficult emotions you may be experiencing. Psychologists believe that someone who lost a precious friend or relative, got fired at the workplace, or had any hurtful experience has a high chance of finding it easy to be appreciate the remaining positive things in life if they have nurtured the habit of counting their blessings.

Likewise, you may be able to gain perspective and have your positive feelings increased if you manage to help others, even though you’re not standing super strong yourself.

Psychology and Positive Thinking

Positive cognitions are the literal expressions of positive thinking in a broader term, and understanding this helps to separate positive thinking from behaviors, emotions, and depression or well-being that are considered to be longer-term results. Researchers are yet to find an agreed-upon definition for positive thinking as the term continues to evolve.

As suggested by Caprara and Steca in their 2005 study, people who do a lot of positive thinking are likely to be identified through indicators such as optimism, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Of course, positive thinking is implicated in all these concepts but another perception is that people who have these indicators enjoy them as ‘positive outcomes’ for having engaged in strategies of positive thinking.

There has also been more precision from researchers who asserted to determine the constituents of positive thinking and a popular and well-accepted one is a 2013 study by Bekhet and Zauszniewski that coined the acronym THINKING which highlighted core key skills that play a role in positive thinking:

• Transform detrimental or gloomy thoughts into positive ones.
• Highlight the good parts of the circumstance or situation you find yourself in.
• Interrupt intrusive negative and pessimistic thoughts with distraction and certain relaxation techniques.
• Note and be conscious of when you must engage in positive thinking.
• Know the skill to chunk a challenge or problem into tiny parts to make them less overwhelming and surmountable.
• Initate optimism with every problem you come across in a situation.
• Nurture different means to confront pessimistic thoughts.
• Generate positive feelings through the act of keeping pessimistic and negative thoughts in check.

Other variant dimensions of positive thinking have also been explored by certain researchers and a notable one is a 2015 study by Tsutsui & Fujiwara that enacted four dimensions to better  understand the notion of positive thinking:

• Self-affirmative thinking — This relates to expressing confidence in one’s thoughts.
• Self-instructive and control thinking — This relates to guiding one’s performance through thoughts.
• Self-assertive thinking — This relates to thinking well and positive for others.
• Self-encouragement thinking — This captured the idea of one standing up to be one’s very own uplifter or cheerleader.

Simple Tips to Embrace Positivity

The topic on how to cultivate a positive mindset is one that has been widely discussed topic and you will encounter these provided numerous strategies online. I have helped you compiled some of the most effective and research-backed methods below, but feel free to explore further if needed.

Let us start with these seven practical tips to help you embrace and nurture a more positive outlook:

• Build a community of supportive people who lift you up, celebrate your triumphs, and empower you to reach new heights.
• Focus on the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
• Use positive affirmations to replace negative self-talk.
• Transform failures into valuable lessons.
• Find the humor in challenging situations.
• Keep your eyes on the good things, no matter how small.
• Begin each day with empowering affirmations.

Brian Tracy, a renowned coach, speaker, and author reinforces some of these strategies and offers additional insights:

• Recognize that your response is the key to shaping the outcome of any situation.
• Utilize empowering/positive affirmations or phrases to dispel negative thoughts and cultivate a positive mindset.
• Draw inspiration from uplifting quotes and messages to reinforce your positivity.
• Consciously choose happiness by practicing gratitude and assuming good intentions in those around you.
• Embrace challenges as opportunities to demonstrate your resilience and positivity

Megan Wycklendt also shares some suggestions on incorporating certain habits and actions to cultivate a more positive mindset:

• Reflect on the good things in your life by keeping a gratitude journal.
• View challenges as opportunities for personal growth and development.
• Develop resilience by learning to handle rejection with grace.
• Use positive and uplifting language to describe your life and experiences.
• Shift your perspective by replacing “have to” with “get to” (e.g., “I get to go to work” instead of “I have to go to work”).
• Protect your positivity by avoiding getting drawn into others’ negative conversations.
• Practice conscious, purposeful, and mindful breathing to calm and center yourself.
• Look for the good and the helpers in difficult situations, even in the midst of tragedy or violence.
• Approach problems with solutions in mind, rather than just pointing out the issues.
• Brighten someone else’s day by making them smile!

Final Thoughts on Embracing positivity as the positive being

Embracing positivity to becoming the positive being is a voyage that demands dedication, patience, and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. By incorporating simple yet powerful practices into your daily life, such as gratitude, mindfulness, and positive self-talk, you can transform our minds and lives.

Remember, positivity is a choice, and it’s never too late to make that choice. What I recommend is that you start small and start now, and then you can watch your life blossom into a vibrant, thriving garden of happiness and fulfillment.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions on the topic of positivity:

1. When everything seems to be going wrong, what techniques can help me stay positive and focused?

When faced with adversity, it often feels like an insurmountable task to maintain a positive mindset. During times of grief or significant distress, the first thing you want to do is to relieve yourself from the pressure. Focus on seeking support from others. Positive thinking isn’t about suppressing every negative thought or emotion or avoiding difficult feelings.

In fact, it’s often in our darkest moments that we find the motivation to move forward and make positive changes. When navigating such challenges, try to approach yourself with the same kindness and compassion you would offer to a dear friend in need. Acknowledge your feelings, validate your emotions, and offer gentle reassurance that better days lie ahead.

2. Does negative thinking have any side effects?

Absolutely, yes it does. Persistent negative thinking and emotions like anger, stress, and pessimism can have far-reaching consequences for our physical health. When we experience stress and other negative emotions, our bodies respond with a range of physiological changes, including the release of stress hormones, metabolic shifts, and immune system suppression.

Chronic stress, in particular, can lead to chronic inflammation, a known risk factor for many serious diseases. When you are stressed, you are likely to experience some symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, fatigue, nausea, body aches and headaches. More so, research has linked negative emotions like hostility, anger, stress, and cynicism to an increased risk of dementia, stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.

3. Is there a point where I must seek help if I find it difficult to be positive?

If negative thoughts are overwhelming your mind and you’re struggling to manage your emotions, it’s advisable you seek professional help from a doctor or mental health expert. Therapy or positive psychology are evidence-based approaches you can benefit from to address underlying issues.

It’s important to note that consistent negative thoughts could be an indication that you suffer from latent psychiatric condition, and you may need to consult a qualified healthcare professiona for treatment.