Positivity is a choice because it is a mindset or attitude that a person can choose to adopt. It is not an automatic response or a fixed personality trait, but rather something that a person can consciously decide to cultivate.
In this article I will explore ways to be positive and take control of your mind and mood, as doing so may be the key to transforming your life.
What is Positivity?
The art of positive thinking can feel elusive at times, but it truly is 100% under our control.
So what exactly is positivity? In the esoteric sense, positivity is when your thoughts and actions are aligned with higher vibrations. Generally speaking, positive thoughts and actions produce positive energy, and it is this energy that determines your experiences.
Whether you know it consciously or not, you are always in control of the energy you align with, be it positive or negative.
There are several clear reasons why positivity is a choice:
- Positivity is a learned behavior: We can learn to be more positive through experiences, education, and exposure to positive role models.
- Positivity is influenced by our thoughts: Our thoughts and beliefs influence our emotions and behaviors. By choosing to focus on the positive aspects of a situation, we can cultivate a more positive outlook.
- Positivity is a choice in how we respond to challenges: When faced with challenges, we can choose to see them as opportunities for growth or as insurmountable obstacles. Choosing a positive response can help us stay motivated and resilient.
- Positivity can have a ripple effect: Positivity can be contagious, and the more positive we are, the more likely we are to inspire positivity in those around us. This can create a positive feedback loop that can improve our own well-being as well as that of those around us.
The Role of Our Thoughts and Beliefs on Being a Positive Person
Our thoughts and beliefs play a significant role in shaping our emotions and behaviors. They act as a filter through which we interpret and make sense of the world around us.
Let’s start by looking at how our thoughts influence our emotions. Our thoughts can be both conscious and unconscious, and they can range from simple observations to complex beliefs. When we think about something, our brain automatically assigns an emotional value to it, whether positive or negative.
For example, if we think about something that we enjoy, such as a vacation, we may feel happy or excited. On the other hand, if we think about something that we fear or dislike, such as a spider, we may feel scared or anxious.
In this way, our thoughts have a direct impact on our emotional state. If we constantly have negative thoughts, we are likely to feel down or anxious. On the other hand, if we have mostly positive thoughts, we are more likely to feel happy and content.
But our thoughts don’t just influence our emotions – they also shape our behaviors.
Our thoughts can motivate us to take certain actions or make certain decisions. For example, if we believe that we are capable of achieving our goals, we are more likely to put in the effort and take the necessary steps to achieve them. On the other hand, if we believe that we are not capable of achieving our goals, we may be less motivated to try or may give up easily.
In addition to influencing our behaviors, our thoughts and beliefs can also shape our self-image and identity. If we believe that we are intelligent, for example, we may be more likely to seek out learning opportunities and challenge ourselves to grow. On the other hand, if we believe that we are not intelligent, we may avoid learning opportunities or may not try as hard.
It’s clear that our thoughts and beliefs have a powerful influence on our emotions and behaviors. By consciously cultivating positive thoughts and beliefs, we can improve our emotional well-being and increase the likelihood of achieving our goals. On the other hand, negative thoughts and beliefs can hold us back and make us feel stuck.
By becoming aware of our thoughts and beliefs and actively working to shift them towards the positive, we can take control of our emotions and behaviors and create a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Don’t Feel Bad About Yourself
From my experience as someone who has worked with dozens of people over the years on the subject of positivity, one of the biggest roadblocks for people trying to be more positive is that they feel bad about themselves in one way or another.
This self-sabotaging behavior is common, but it’s important to recognize that if you are someone who engages in self-pity, that this is not a personality trait or a part of who you are. These behaviors are learned and can be discarded.
Here are some tips for not feeling bad about yourself:
- Practice self-compassion: Instead of being hard on yourself and beating yourself up, try to be kind and understanding towards yourself. Recognize that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s normal to have flaws and imperfections, and that these traits or issues do not define you.
- Focus on your strengths: Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses, try to focus on your strengths and accomplishments. This can help you build self-confidence and feel better about yourself.
- Practice gratitude: Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help shift your focus from negative thoughts to positive ones. Make a daily list of things you are thankful for, no matter how small they may seem.
- Seek support: Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who will lift you up and encourage you. If you’re struggling with negative self-worth, consider seeking support from a mental health professional.
- Take care of yourself: Make sure to prioritize self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being can help improve your overall sense of self-worth.
- Set realistic goals: Setting unrealistic goals can lead to feelings of failure and low self-worth. Instead, try setting achievable goals that allow you to make progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. Also remember not to conflate goals with expectations. An expectation is an attachment to a certain outcome, which creates a toxic energy bond. All of your goals should be without attachment, your worth has no baring on whether or not you are able to accomplish these goals or not.
- Practice positive self-talk: Pay attention to the thoughts you have about yourself and try to replace negative self-talk with more positive and realistic thoughts. For example, instead of saying “I’m a failure,” try saying “I made a mistake, but I can learn from it and do better next time.”
By practicing these strategies, you can help build a more positive and healthy self-image and feel better about your Self. Remember, it’s okay to have off days – just try to be patient and kind to yourself, and keep working towards a more positive and fulfilling life.
Don’t Run From Conflict
It’s a common misconception that to “be positive,” one must create a life with minimal to no conflict or problems.
This is an illusion, there is no such thing as a life without conflict.
Or rather, to put it another way, the more you try and micromanage things to appease your ego and avoid conflict, the more problems and attachments you will create in the long run.
Learn to embrace problems. We are here to evolve after all, and this is not possible without solving problems and becoming a stronger person.
Positivity is a choice and you can make that choice even in the middle of difficult situations. The mark of someone who is truly happy is whether they are able to express positivity and be content even in the middle of conflict.
If your positive attitude can be changed or taken away by mere circumstances, it’s not real.
The more you learn to embrace conflict and flow with the energy that comes your way, the less attachments you will have and the easier it will be for you to remain positive in all circumstances.
As a final point on this subject, on the path to positivity, you will inevitably encounter people that say things like “I have a right to be upset” or infer that it’s not appropriate to be positive in certain circumstances.
This kind of thinking is not only inaccurate, it’s really just an excuse for the ego to keep on getting drunk on negativity.
Thoughts and feelings have very real consequences in terms of the energy they produce. No one has “the right” to pollute another person’s space with negative energy, nor is there a time and a place for negativity.
If you want to be truly happy you may find your Self at odds with mainstream thought and behaviors, because this society teaches us that it’s “OK” to be toxic.
Well this runs contrary to reality, where all energy you put out manifests and comes back in some form.
Choosing to Be Positive At All Times
In my experience as a lifelong student of self-mastery, we all have the power to be positive any time we want.
The benefits of this are incredible, as you will realize that truly positive thoughts and actions create more abundance and opportunity in your life. Positive energy accumulates and comes back in the form of bountiful synchronicity, effortless good moods, unexpected windfalls, confidence, better relationships, and more.
Choosing to be positive is choosing to take back your life.
The founder of Digital Sages, Matt has an extensive background in self-mastery and has authored several books on the subject. His goal is to demystify important esoteric subjects and help people transform their lives through self-awareness and personal empowerment.