How to Develop a Positive Attitude in Life

There is so much negativity in the world today.  Everywhere you look there are shootings, illness, sadness and death. Is it possible to remain optimistic with those types of surroundings?  I think so! Let’s take a look at how to develop a positive attitude in life.  Because with a few simple changes, you can become the positive, optimistic person that you have always wanted to be.

Have you ever had a feeling of negativity and fear over a situation, only to have that bad thing you were afraid of actually come to pass?  For instance, you didn’t feel confident when applying for a job. After your interview, you later found that you did not, in fact get that job? That is the power of your thinking.

What if next time, you fill your head with positive thoughts and scriptures of faith.  The power of positive thinking will have a completely different result in that very next job interview.  Why? Because you will act in faith, with confidence. Because of that change in attitude, your results will be more positive.  In her post, Build Your House on the Rock, Heather from Lessons From Home related our thoughts to the parable in the Bible from Matthew 7:24-27.  Build your thoughts on Christ and His truths, not on the sand of negativity and dismay.

Tips that will guide you in how to develop a positive attitude in life

Believe in yourself

In looking at the previous example, approaching your life with confidence, will have a more positive result.  The positive thinking muscle takes practice to build, just like any other muscle. But it will be worth it.

Surround yourself with happy, positive, optimistic people

How can you develop a positive outlook by surrounding yourself with negative people?  You can’t! So choose who you spend the most time with. I get super frustrated around negativity.   If you’re searching for how to develop a positive attitude in life, you will too.

Be grateful!

Happy, optimistic people are thankful people.  Count your blessings every single day. As a child of God, our eternity is secure.   What greater blessing is that?  We have so much to be thankful for.  If you need help with thankfulness, read Gratitude:   Why Counting Your Blessings is so Important and Gratitude from A to Z:  Things to be Thankful For.

Pray!

Why on earth would you want to do anything without God’s help?  How can you be a good witness for the Lord if you’re walking around all negative with a frown on your face?  The answer is, you can’t! So seek God’s help by praying.

Input only positive material

Make sure that what you’re putting into your mind are positive,  happy thoughts. Watch the Hallmark channel, not Law and Order. Listen to fun, lighthearted audiobooks and podcasts. Listen to Christian music or the Bible.  Be careful about what type of material goes into your mind. You may also like motivational quotes or affirmations. You can get started with these 25 Encouraging Quotes that will Motivate you.

Forgive others

There’s so much angst when you are hanging onto negative feelings toward someone.  Not only is it bad for your mind, it’s bad for your health. Let it go! How can Jesus forgive you, if you don’t forgive others?  Ask Him to help you.

Laugh

Find humor in everything. Laugh at yourself and at the things around you.  When my leg falls off, I have to laugh. As a quad amputee, if I didn’t laugh at my situation, I would cry all the time.  Check out Amputee Humor: Laughing Behind the Scenes.

Watch your language

Have you ever noticed that the words you use, can either reflect optimism or pessimism?  We say things like:

• • “I’m fat.”
  • “I’ll never find a job.”
  • “I can’t afford that.”

We speak our truths every time we open our mouths.  I’m a believer that we say things that we truly believe.  Sometimes we say hurtful things. Then say something like, “I didn’t mean that!”  But we wouldn’t say those things if we don’t actually think them. So change the channel in your head. If you don’t like something you’re watching on TV, you change the channel, right?  Well, if the words you use are pessimistic and negative, change the channel. Once you start speaking optimism and positive thoughts, you’ll start to believe them too. It just takes practice.Do you want a more positive attitude in life? Take the initiative now to rise above the negativity of this world. I've got some great tips on how to develop a positive attitude in life. Share on X

Be kind to others

Do something every day that shows kindness to others.  Spread goodwill and cheer. In return, you’ll feel awesome.  You’ll smile more and you’ll continue to build that positivity gene.  If you would like some ideas of paying it forward, check out 105 of the Best Random Acts of Kindness.

Focus on the long term

Negative things happen to us on a daily basis.  However, if we focus on our future, and look at the negatives as what I like to call, little blips on the radar, you’ll be able to handle them better.  It’s also important to remember what Roman’s 8:28 tells us. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  God has a plan for our lives. He knows what we’re going through and if we follow Him, He will see us through.

Pretend

I recently saw this idea and it makes perfect sense to me.  When all else fails, fake it until you make it. Smile, when you don’t feel happy.  Act positive, even if you don’t feel like it. Because the more you pretend, eventually those positive thinking muscles will get built and they will grow.  For a long time after my illness and amputations, I had sadness in my life. But through prayer and positive thinking I’ve been able to turn things around.  I chose to be positive. Which, when it all boils down to it, is exactly what you need to do. Choose optimism and happiness and reject negativity. Choose wisely!

What will you do today? Are you willing to learn how to develop a positive attitude in life?  I certainly hope so!  We don’t need any more negativity in this world.  We need positive thinking and optimism. Focus on the good, kind and happy.  Be joyful. If you want a bit more positivity, try my 30-day Positivity Challenge:   Explode your Optimism. You’ll love it.

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