Do we say or think things like: I can’t stand going to school; the meals you cook lack imagination; they are only trying to rip us off. Looking at the negative side of things doesn’t improve a thing. It’s the same with complaining. Say, a bad storm cuts off our power. We say, now what are we going to do? It’s a legitimate question, but we used a sarcastic tone of voice.

Bad things happen all the time. It’s a fact of life. Sometimes they happen in cycles like, our best friend, mother or neighbor die in the same year.

How do we switch from a negative to positive attitude? First we have to become aware of our negativity. If we are lucky a friend will make a comment about our negativity, or at a meeting we’ll hear about the impact it has on others. Negativity can be so ingrained in us we don’t even notice. It can encompass the entire outlook we have on our lives, like the bumper sticker: life sucks, then you die.

Being negative is a bad habit that’s challenging to break. Once we are made aware of it, we then have to pay attention to what we say and how we say it. Negative words can just slip out before we know it. After we slip, let’s try not to beat up ourselves. The more we catch ourselves the better. Like most everything we want to achieve or overcome, practice is the key.

We start to feel better when we catch our negative thoughts ahead of time. Being positive follows, and just like catching negativity, it, too takes practice. We have to learn to pause and gather our thoughts before we speak. What are some positive thoughts about losing our electricity? We can eat by candlelight. We can read the book that’s been sitting on the coffee table for weeks. Our mind can have a well-needed break from the internet.

There isn’t anything positive to say about our best friend dying. Learning to be positive doesn’t mean we ignore difficult and heart-breaking times or push them under the carpet. Also, going overboard with positivity can be annoying to others. We don’t need to be a Pollyanna (exceedingly cheerful and optimistic). However, when we move from negative statements and attitudes towards the positive, our outlook on life will change. We will naturally attract more positive experiences. Being positive will help build our self-esteem, too. A positive attitude is a win win!

Evidence-based and built with passion. Our primary purpose at The Kimberly Center is to assist those who are suffering in finding recovery. Restoring a healthier, happier, more productive life, graduates of our program find themselves free from substance dependence and destructive behavior. Call us today for information: 855-4-KCENTER (855-452-3683)