Do you believe in the power of positive thought

[donkey]

I have recently become interested in this and have been trawling the internet to find out more.

 

As you might expect, the subject has been largely monopolized by armies of self appointed new age gurus, who certainly believe in the power of positive thought to make themselves an easy living from people who crave a quick fix for their problems.

 

My own view (after investigating some of the material posted by those who weren't looking for money) is that most negative thoughts do not serve a useful purpose. The vast majority only serve to cause anger/fear/frustration and do not guard us against harm in any way.

 

The question is, can we really change our negative perceptions just like that, or is it a tall order?

[Darbees]

Negative thoughts can't serve any useful purpose, by definition. Negative thoughts will always prompt further negative thoughts and the only way out of it is to think about or be distracted by something else. I took action about this a few years ago and most negative ideas I have can now be dismissed fairly easily before they have any bad effect on what I'm doing. Simple!

[fr8neck]

I've certainly improved my outlook on life by thinking rationalistically, and addressing the various negative, angry, depressive impulses that periodically beset me by considering them, and the circumstances that seem to be producing them, in a reasoned manner.

 

I've never bothered with 'positive thinking' as such, as it seems just as much based on non-reality as negative thinking.

[*Turbo*]

I always try to look on the positive side. If something negative happens to me then instead of looking at it bleakly i always try to look at the positives from it, meaning every situation can be learned from.

 

I've done things in the past that i shouldn't of done but instead of dwelling on it i've looked at it positively as a learning curve. in my viewpoint thats all life is, a learning curve and something to learn from.

 

Admittedly though now and again the negative can be so bad its a struglle look at it positively:roll:

[Silver]

I believe in it but it's never done me any favours to be honest . Though i keep hoping

[StarSparkle]

I think so, but I remain to be absolutely convinced. If you're thinking positively, you're going to see the glass as being half full rather than half empty, and that alone is going to make you feel more positive about life.

 

But there does seem to be some mileage in the belief that 'like attracts like', so if you are thinking positively, positivity and good things are more likely to be attracted to you.

 

If you expect things to go wrong, they most likely will, so it seems - it's as if the universe fulfils your expectations.

 

Just some thoughts.

 

StarSparkle

[CorkerSWFC]

I have recently become interested in this and have been trawling the internet to find out more.

 

As you might expect, the subject has been largely monopolized by armies of self appointed new age gurus, who certainly believe in the power of positive thought to make themselves an easy living from people who crave a quick fix for their problems.

 

My own view (after investigating some of the material posted by those who weren't looking for money, and seemed plausible in their beliefs) is that most negative thoughts do not serve a useful purpose. The vast majority only serve to cause anger/fear/frustration and do not guard us against harm in any way.

 

Can this be changed though? The whole nature of the game prompts me to say YES, and attempt to believe it sincerely.

 

Has anyone ever made a serious and long-term effort to change their thinking patterns in this way ? What were the results?

 

Im with you on this one im one of the biggest sceptics going but im sure it could work in the right enviroment example "football".

[GSK]

I am convincend that our thoughts and mental states, play a seriously large role in determing of our physical realities. Good or bad, whatever you focus and concentrate on, you will bring in to being (though I've been focussing on Pammy Anderson for some time now, and no luck as yet).

 

I agree with your observation about people packaging 'positive thought' - calling it one thing or another in an attempt to sell it on.

[plekhanov]

If you take a more proactive approach to life then I suppose you're more likely to get stuff done but simply thinking positive on it's own achieves nothing, you have to translate thought into action for it to have any effect.

[Longcol]

"I drink therefore I am"...... Renee Descartes after a positive result on the old cotes du summat.