We hear a lot of talk about the power of positive thinking, benefits of thinking positive, and the quest toward having a positive attitude. But what does it really mean in practice?
"Positive thinking" can be defined as making a choice to focus on the bright side of a given situation ... or, put another way, to see the cup as half full rather than half empty. Positive-thinking people dwell on the agreeable aspects of any situation. They minimize the unfavorable aspects and maximize the favorable components. Positive-thinking people often say things like, "At least we can be thankful that ..." or "We can deal with that by ..." In contrast, negative-thinking people tend to dwell on the unfavorable aspects of a situation. They may have trouble moving on from a setback and identifying and pursuing solutions.
"Take a deep breath." "Count to 10." These tips are overused, perhaps, but they can help remind us to redirect anger and annoyance and take a moment to consider the other person's position and feelings. Doing so allows us to avoid uncomfortable emotions and replace them with more positive thoughts and interactions.
Replacing anger