If you’re like I was not long ago, you’re missing the recipe to your best possible life. If you’re like I was, you don’t know what lies within you. You search for happiness in the wrong places. You look outside yourself to money, possessions, or status for fulfillment, but still feel like something’s missing. What can you add to your life that will help? Positivity! Positivity comes in all shapes and sizes. Positivity comes from connection and love, creativity and humor, savoring and gratitude; it’s when you feel energized by an exciting new idea or hobby, or when you look in awe at the beauty of nature. Positivity comes from positive emotions like joy, peace, and inspiration. Positivity opens your heart and your mind to the world. Here are just a few reasons to add more positivity to your life:
1. Positivity feels good
Notice how much better you feel by simply watching a pleasant story on the news, compared to a sad one? This may seem obvious, but many of us seek out dark and depressing things in our lives. Feeling good motivates you to change for the better and to give back. When you’re feeling down, you can’t help but be defensive and only focus on your own needs. Feeling positive is a gift to share with others.
2. Positivity changes the workings of your mind
Positivity not only changes the quality of thoughts in your mind, but also expands the boundaries of your mind. Positivity gives you the tools to bounce back and find new options in your life. Positivity keeps your focus on your larger goals and aspirations in life. Positivity increases your patience and compassion, and helps you to forgive sooner. Positivity enables you to let go of negative thoughts and to stay connected with those your love. Positivity means no matter how busy you get, you’ll always find time to phone home or check up on someone you care about.
3. Positivity brightens your future
Our positive emotions tend to fade, but increasing our experiences of positivity over time brings out the best in us. Positivity in your life tends to compound over time- you just need to build some momentum. Positivity increases resourcefulness, optimism, and resiliency. It also improves your relationships through allowing you to form better social connections.
4. Positivity stops negativity in its tracks
In a split second negativity can ruin your day, but positivity can bring you back to a happier mindset. Positivity is like a second chance: it can take you from being angry at yourself for being late to work, to realizing how lucky you are to be employed. Positivity means making the best out of your circumstances- it’s what it takes to be resilient.
5. Positivity increases with practice
You have more influence over how you’re feeling moment-to-moment than you’d think. Just as you have the ability to be negative, you also have the ability to be positive. Increasing your happiness is just as much about not paying as much attention to the negative as it is tending to the positive aspects of your life. Making positivity a habit is how you open yourself up to seeing new possibilities, and learn to cope with setbacks and adversity. Learning to see the positive aspects of a situation is essential to living your best life.
Conclusion
Positivity doesn’t mean burying your head in the sand. It doesn’t prevent bad things from happening, but it can, nonetheless, make a very noticeable difference in your life. Whether you seek to increase pleasure and contentment, engagement and flow, or meaning and purpose, positivity can help you find what you’re looking for. Featured photo credit: www.flickriver.com/photos/deweggis/ via flickr.com
