Positive inspiration

Looking back at 2011 I think of many events and people who's positive attitude helped them achieve their goals or as a group collectively achieve something quite remarkable.

One of the first of many that comes to mind is David Walliams who swam 140 miles down the Thames to raise over £1m for charity.  Braving not only bitterly cold water, accepting the risk of contracting serious illness' and swimming in raw sewerage.  But he did it, he survived and his inspirational swim has made a huge amount of money that will go to benefit less fortunate people all over the world.

Another event is one many will remember — the riots this summer.  When mindless thuggery took to the streets of Britain, vandalism, mugging, looting for what could be viewed as tenuous and ridiculous reasons.  However the positive nature of many residents of the towns affected saw them take to the streets armed with brooms to clear up the terrible mess that yobs had caused and almost a post war community spirit that was so motivating to see.

I also think of my own achievements.  From fat & unfit in April to completing 2 half marathons and almost 3 stone lighter by December.  At the time I never thought it could happen but now I'm so much more positive about what I can achieve after hard work and determination got me further than I could originally envisage.

You too can think of inspirational people, family & friends, service personnel or famous celebrities.  But also look back at your own achievements.  You will have them.  Lots of them.  Be proud of what you've done and how you did it.   You can do it again and so much more as you believe in yourself and feel positive about the new heights you will reach.

Enjoy your celebrations tonight!

Radiators, not drains

A quick tip for a more positive life - surround yourself with positive people.

Like attracts like, a phrase I may use a lot of in weeks to come but basically if you wish to be a positive person then be with other like minded positive people.  Their positive energy will rub off on you and you will find yourself being and feeling more positive in a very short space of time.

Find the people who radiate the right positive energy and try to avoid those who drain yours!

The Thought Exchange

Ahead of the very first Positive Upload Day here's a simple idea to try and get more into the mind set of positive thinking:
Thinking positively for some people - including me - can sometimes seem like a challenge, a long upward hill that just isn't worth climbing.  But it really is worth the effort as the rewards of a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life are yours for the taking.

To start, the first step is to recognise when you have negative thoughts and what those thoughts are.  Many will be obvious but as you get more conscious of your thoughts you will spot a few stealth ones creep in when you're not looking.  Things we do all the time like 'I'll never afford that', 'you're going to drop that' or 'that'll never work'.  Also 'But I don't deserve a new job', 'it's going to be a bad day' or 'I can't run a marathon I'm not fit enough'.

So, once you start recognising your negative thoughts try to counteract them with a positive one.  It doesn't matter what they are - 'I'm looking really good today' or 'I deserve a treat after completing that assignment', 'He's such a clever lad'.

It's a bit like an exchange in so much as every negative thought can be swapped for a positive one but always remember that the positive ones are significantly more valuable.  So you'll always be the winner!

Try it and share your experiences with your friends and here or upload your comments at our Facebook page.

Music to be Positive to

Don't know about you but what can 'pos' me up and get me motivated more than anything is music.  I'm so fortunate to have a wide and diverse taste from classical to heavy metal.  Many songs have intentionally nonsensical lyrics.  Others are meaningful perhaps telling a story or giving a message.  There are a few motivational songs I know but not yet made the effort to collate them together on one play list - I will - but one of the first that springs to mind is this from Gary Go.

When I listen it really makes me feel I could take on the world.

Do you have a song you use to 'pos' you up?  I'll be posting these through the year as we go.  There's quite a few others that are obvious so lets see if we're thinking along the same lines.

So, the idea is born...

Funny isn't it - the ideas you get in the shower.

I don't mean that and you can wash you mind out with soap and water for thinking it too!  I mean it's strange how the mind is always thinking even when you're doing something as innocent as scrubbing your armpits.

The Wife and I had celebrated the date being 12 years since we first met so I updated my status on Facebook to celebrate and say how happy I was.  Never before have I seen so many 'Like' buttons clicked in all my days on the site.  A few people had even taken the time to comment on how moving my words were.

This made me all the more happy.  It got me thinking, if we all made the effort, together, just one day a month to be mindful, positive and share those thoughts, how much happier would the world be?

Well, it's got to be worth a try - surely?

If you woke up one morning and were directly asked "Do you want to feel positive today, or negative" you'd choose to be positive and happy wouldn't you?  Of course we have bad days, most humans do but if that person asking the question had the power to make your wish come true, how brilliant would that be?

I believe the person asking you the question can be you.  You can choose to answer it "happy" and you have the power to make it so.

So try it.  See how you get on and share your experiences either here, on Facebook, Twitter on your own blog, chatting with your mates down the pub or put a message in a bottle.

Exciting isn't it...