Think Positive!

Have you ever began your day with a “bad start”?
Maybe you were late to work or school, rushing the
kids, and blaming your spouse for the problems; or, maybe you blame yourself. Once negative faultfinding thoughts enter your mind, these thoughts can grow and contaminate your outlook on life. Negative thoughts are like unruly weeds. If not pulled out, these weeds can multiply and destroy an otherwise healthy garden.
Dr. Andy Ng, Director of Preventative Care at Pacific Health Education Center, stated that one of the most important things he has learned is the four laws of happiness by a French doctor named Christian Almarac.
Law #1: Enjoy Yourself – You are valuable to God. Do not downgrade yourself in thinking you are not important. Low self-esteem is often the cause of negative feelings and depression. “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments” (Psalms 119:73). You can have the assurance that you are loved by God and that He will guide you in your life.
Law #2: Enjoy Your Thoughts – “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. . .” (Proverbs 23:7). When you dwell on positive thoughts, you will have a positive attitude about yourself and others. Positive thinking is important in every avenue of life such as in the workplace, in your marriage and family, in a crisis, and in your spiritual life. Instead of thinking that problems arise because of another person, start giving people the benefit of the doubt. Remember how others are patient with your faults.
Law #3: Monitor Your Thoughts – Do not let negative critical thoughts enter your mind. Replace gloomy thoughts with happy, cheerful ones. It will take a decided, conscious effort at first, but what seems hard will become natural to you in time. Think about the happy experiences in your life. Look for the good in people and meditate on words of Scripture. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues [source] of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
Law #4: Enjoy Even Negative Thoughts or Change the Thoughts – If negative thoughts can bring a positive outcome, then sometimes they can be good. It is only when you dwell upon the imperfections that it becomes a problem. Dr. Ng suggests, “Don’t say ‘I have a weight problem and I hate to exercise, what a chore it is, it’s so hard.’ Instead say, ‘I love to exercise, I look and feel so much better.’” The first step for change is recognizing the problem. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139:23, 24).
The art of positive thinking is a powerful resource in bringing mental, physical and spiritual well-being to your life. Start looking up!
Ly Lan Nguyen