Be a Positive Spin Doctor

I have been pondering an idea for a while. The idea is that you can choose the way you feel. I've been keeping an eye on my thoughts and have been intriqued with the results. Taking it another step I tried a little experiment this morning and would like to share it with you.

I read that laughing changes our body chemistry. That's right, it actually changes our physical makeup. And whether or not I laugh is up to me so I decided to laugh. Try it out for yourself. Try it right now. Just laugh for 10 second. You can do it – go ahead. Now, how does that feel?

If you don’t know how that felt then try a little experiment. Think of something very sad for just 10 seconds. How do you feel? Now think of something fun and happy and laugh for just 10 seconds. How do you feel?

You chose to feel that way. I know, they’re feelings and they just come and go. But what made the feelings come? Your thoughts. And you chose your thoughts. You chose to think of something sad. And you chose to think of something happy. Therefore, you chose your feelings.

So what would your life be like if you chose to think happy, fun, empowering, inspirational thoughts? Could you enjoy your life more? Could you be happier and experience more joy? Try it for a week, even for a day, and see what happens. Whenever you realize you are feeling a negative emotion check your thoughts. Chances are your thoughts are angry, frustrated, sad or disempowering. So choose another thought, one that is positive. Think of something happy, fun, inspirational or empowering. Then choose another positive thought. Now how do you feel? I bet you feel better than you did a few moments ago.

What would your life be like if you made it a habit to have positive thoughts? I’m not talking about sticking your head in the sand or ignoring circumstances. Rather I am talking about choosing your viewpoint.

I recently read a book which talked about Anne Frank while she was in hiding with her family. In this fictional account Anne was having a conversation with someone who saw only the cramped living quarters and lack of food – negative thoughts which made him feel sad. However, Anne saw thing differently. She was grateful they had a hiding place that could fit 8 people. She saw how generous and wonderful for Miep was to share food rations. Anne felt happy.

Same circumstances but different thoughts created different feelings about it.
So go give it a try. Choose the positive viewpoint and see how your life changes.