Enormous amounts have been written about positive thinking and its potential benefits.
At one end of the spectrum authors such as Napolean Hill (Think and Grow Rich) and Rhonda Byrne (The Secret) claim that everything is possible through positive thinking – from success and happiness to health and wealth; from finding the perfect partner or the perfect job to the fulfilment of all your dreams. Just think it and it will be so: just set up the correct thought vibration, visualise and affirm your desired outcome, and hey presto, all good things will be yours.
At the other extreme authors such as Barbara Ehrenreich (Bright-Sided) and Barbara Held (Stop Smiling, Start Kvetching) are vigorously opposed to what they see as a slavish reliance on positive thinking which can lead to the kind of magical thinking that results in either extreme risk-taking or complacency and lack of action, and eventual disappointment.
So, who’s right? Or is there a middle way - possibly Positive Realism or Realistic Positivity?
Personally, I think that a balanced outlook is not only possible, it is vital to our ongoing wellbeing. It is one of life’s great paradoxes that once we accept that real life includes such things as loss, grief, pain, ageing, illness, sadness and so on, that we can then move on to build a realistically positive attitude and a possibility-focused approach to life.
Understanding our strengths helps to develop a sense of capability and a belief in an eventual positive outcome when we are faced with some of the difficult things that may come our way. Building resilience strengthens our sense of being able to weather life’s storms. Knowing that we can draw on past successes helps build our sense of self-esteem and strengthens our resolve to take the actions required to achieve our goals.
What do you think? Register under Login below to write your Comments.
