I know that we've talked about positive thinking but I'm just wondering

**PrairieRose** · 03-21-2005, 03:43 PM

Who else here really and truly believes that our thoughts and thought patterns actually determines what happens in our lives? I'll add my perspective later on, just want some input from you all.

**homesteadmamma** · 03-22-2005, 12:29 AM

Lisa, I do. I also believe the words out of our mouths also determines what happens in our lives.

I firmly believe if we always think negative thoughts, our lives will reflect those thoughts. If we work at thinking positive thoughts again our lives will reflect that. I think it determines greatly what we think and what we speak.

Great question!!

**Shell** · 03-22-2005, 04:34 AM

I have read once that when we think some thing it enters our body chemically. That is how our body communicates just like a computer uses electricity. So, if we are always angry or negative it effects our whole body.

**halo475** · 03-22-2005, 06:50 AM

I absolutely believe in this concept

**baxjul** · 03-22-2005, 07:17 AM

I believe this too, I try to think positively, but sometimes it's hard.

**SewCrafty** · 03-22-2005, 07:37 AM

Yep Lisa, I am definitely a believer in positive thinking too.

**Michele Annette** · 03-22-2005, 08:16 AM

I truly believe this! I have had bouts of depression and really was pulled down by that negative thinking. Once I changed my attitude, everything in my life changed....my relationships, my outlook, my life! I love my life now when I used to think I hated it. Nothing is perfect, but the positive thoughts sure do help a lot!

**Darlene** · 03-22-2005, 08:22 AM

And how.
negative=expressing denial or refusal; lacking enthusiasm,energy,interest; not positive

positive=certain;sure; definate; unqustionable; utter; downright; confident; not negative; greater than zero.

Bad things happen to everyone, but our way of coping & moving on really does shape our lives. I've got pain & sadness in my past and every once in a while I'll think about it but I'm more interested in where I'm going than where I came from.
Everything is just so much brighter and clear with a positive attitude. I have an how can I make this work attitude and it has gotten me thru many a tough time. There always is an answer, might not be the stuff dreams are made of but everything isn't supposed to be that way anyways.

**josephine** · 03-22-2005, 08:59 AM

I agree that a positive attitude is vital to a happy, productive life. I know a few people who constantly have a bad attitude and everything in their life is a mess. I think that having a thankful, positive attitude makes everything easier to deal with!

**graci42** · 03-22-2005, 10:12 AM

Negative attitude implies self-dislike, low self-esteem...You have to make others feel bad in order to make yourself feel better.

Positive attitude --high esteem, self confidence, etc.

I'm working on it and because I have a supportive dh, I'm growing and taking chances (my art work)...Yeah some may not like it, but others will. So, it does effect my path.

Overall point...I believe that a negative attitude pulls you down mentally, spiritually and physically (health). It busts your immune system down which just adds to the negative...vicious cycle.

Be happy--Be healthy in mind, body and soul! I need to start excercising again! LOL

**niceday** · 03-22-2005, 10:20 AM

A positive attitude is what I'm striving to have. I"m trying very hard to find the good and positive in every situation.

**paelthom** · 03-22-2005, 11:32 AM

I agree with you all. I can physically feel the effects of my negative or angry thoughts and it's terrible. Positive thoughts make me feel that I am radiating good things outward to others as well and I can feel the warmth and hope physically inside me.

**Katybird** · 03-22-2005, 12:44 PM

I do think that having a positive outlook makes your life so much better.

**forestdale** · 03-22-2005, 02:17 PM

I don't believe that our thoughts and thought patterns determine what happens in our lives, but it does effect how we perceive our lives. For example, I don't think that believing everything will be great, makes it great. But I think that having a positive attitude helps us get over the bad stuff quickly so we are ready for the good things when they appear.

I think we all have a naturally optimistic or pessimistic way of viewing the world. Optimists believe that, overall, good will win over bad, whereas pessimists believe that when everything balances out, their lives are weighted on the bad side. I think that optimists natually have a positive attitude whereas that is something that pessimists have to develop and constantly work on.

**PrairieRose** · 03-23-2005, 02:38 PM

Thanks for the replies girls! It's an odd topic no doubt but lately I've been pondering the imponderables of life. This seems to be a big question mark for me. I've been reading some on the subject and have watched a movie recently that made me think even more deeply about the subject.

Here are my thoughts:

I think that perhaps we do determine our reality by our thoughts and conscious choices in life. I'm not saying that we can think "nothing bad will ever happen to me" and make that be so. I'm saying that by choosing to look mostly for the good in people and things and by looking to make choices for the "greater good" instead of always choosing to serve only ourselves that we do have a huge impact on our life. If you think about it, everything you do in the course of a day, save breathing, sweating a bit, other bodily functions is a choice. Which way you turn on your way to the store, to speak or not to ... to the annoying checker, etc... . My point is that if we view our choices as "choices" instead of all "givens" our point of view changes immensely.

I'd love to continue this conversation if anyone is interested.

My next question would be, can you list one time that you know your choice in a situation changed the outcome?

I'll go first.
I remember once when I was walking across a street, in a dress as a very young woman. A couple of old men whistled at me, which annoyed me no end. I acted a bit "too good" over it and consequently fell down! I've always looked back on that moment and smiled. Thinking that was kharma ol' girl.

I'm more careful about such things, even though that doesn't happen anymore.....