Improve Your Attitude, Improve Your Life
Our attitude has a profound effect on the quality of our life. Optimism and pessimism create two completely different realities. By taking a few simple steps to adopt a more optimistic and positive attitude, you can enjoy both immediate and long term benefits. Here are some practical steps to help you lead a happier life!
- Gratitude
According to Hans Selye, an expert on stress, gratitude is one of the healthiest of all human emotions. Being grateful exerts a powerful influence on your attitude. Not only does it make you feel better in that moment, but it will shift you towards more positive thinking. One simple technique is twice daily, before you go to bed and before you start your day, say three things out-loud that you are thankful for. You should find you not only sleep better but your days will be better too! - Choose Happiness
Attitude is not about our circumstances or any other outside force. It is a decision we choose. You can see the negatives of a situation or you can look for the positives. See the positives, embrace happiness.
“The greatest part of our happiness depends on our
dispositions, not our circumstances.”
-Martha Washington
- Challenges not Problems.
There are always going to be hardships that arise in your life. Everyone goes through ‘problems’ at one time or another. The key here is to never call your hardships problems, instead call them challenges. The reasoning for this is subconsciously, problems are malicious and send us the message that something is wrong. Challenges, however are an opportunity, or an obstacle to overcome. It does not have the same negative connotations there; it will help you focus on positive things.
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The
optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
-Winston Churchill
- View Life as a Journey
Life should be enjoyed; it should be an adventure filled with discovery and wonder. Don’t let fear or anxiety come in the way of your happiness. None of us know what is going to happen in the future. There will be both changes and challenges; don’t be afraid of them, welcome them! Look forward to the new experiences they will bring, and how they will help you grow.
To be continued (on next month’s issue)