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She Says: Positive People
Something to Think About
I read this article this morning about how negative thoughts can affect your workout. If you tell yourself you can’t do something, chances are you won’t do it. It got me thinking about the power of our own thoughts and words on how we feel about ourselves and the things around. So often we worry about saying or doing something that will offend others, but what about doing or saying something that will offend you?
It also got me thinking about positive people. You know those people that are just amazingly positive and have the most upbeat energy? Well, I would love to tell you I am one of those people, but I am not. Not naturally anyway. I am innately sarcastic, pessimistic and skeptical. I don’t know why. I do know that I believe that what you put into the world comes back to you. So, the more positive and uplifted I am, I believe the more positivity will come my way. I don’t really mean it in a completely mystical way, but rather just the simple idea that your mindset affects what happens in your life.
A little birdie told me that if you wake up and say, “Today is going to be a great day,” it might just work. Now, of course, not everyday will be wonderful, but isn’t there wonder somewhere in each day? I’ve been working on being more positive, appreciating the small moments of life and enjoying each day a lot lately and I can honestly say, I think it has worked a little. Don’t worry, I’m still sarcastic, but now I just smile more. Do you have any tips for staying positive and appreciating each moment?
Pile Miles/Breakfast
I am participating in Bobbi’s Pile on the Miles Challenge, not to win, but just because I think tracking miles will give me some confidence to sign up for 10k next year (one of New Year’s Resolutions for ‘09). I really want to see how much I normally run, so I won’t be increasing my mileage or anything, just keeping track. So today, after adding 7 miles to my pile, I had a deeeelicious oatmeal breakfast with my new Decaf Vanilla Chai.
Oats, Skim Milk, Banana, Peanut Butter and Flax
Hope you’re having a splendid Tuesday.
I will be stalking the comments on this post because I could surely use some help in this department.
I might do the pile the miles thing. Sounds cool.
I’m not naturally optimistic either, but if I force myself to be act happy I do usually end up feeling happy
My husband and I are exact opposites – my glass is always half full, his always half empty! But we compliment each other so its a good balance!
I’ll also be stalking this post for the tips! I find myself being too pessimistic and sarcastic sometimes.
I need to learn to be more positive too! I love the idea of waking up every day and saying today will be a good day! Usually I wake up and say where is my coffee get out of my way
Good luck with the miles challenge!
Ok, that pig bowl is quite possibly the cutest thing EVER!!!
I might need to eat dinner on my panda dish just to compete!
Oh, and staying positive is a challenge for me. I tend to help others look on the positive, but when it comes to myself, I look on the negative. I’ve been trying to give myself the same advice I give others.
I can only handle one challenge per month!
This month – I’m sticking with the Thanksgiving Grocery Challenge – but I think for December, I’ll make up my own Pile on the Miles, because that is an awesome awesome idea!
Also – I’m exactly like you “naturally” sarasctic, pessimistic, and skeptical – which can be good at times when you need it – but I wish I were one of those naturally peppy people!
i loooooooooooooooooooooove ur piggie bowl
& my mom always told me to wake up in the morning and look myself in the mirror and say “you are wonderful!!!” :] yay for positive thinking!!!
Way to go on the positivity! Good to know you are still a little bit sarcastic
That’s definitely a good thing to try, I’m up for the challenge!
I love your oatmeal bowl! So cute
I like to think I’m a good mix between positive and pessimistic. I think over the last year I have actually gotten alot more positive, the best way to no feel bad about the past is to be happy about the future, right?
By the way Cute Mug. Cute Bowl.
Ack! I didn’t know Bobbi was doing that! I’ll have to go check it out.
I may have to sign up as well! A 10K is on my ‘09 goal list as well! *hifive*
I’m working on staying more positive and focusing on the positive aspects of life instead of the negative. It’s hard for me because I’m generally a really guarded person who is a bit pessimistic (I say realist) but I’m trying.
Love Panera’s asiago bagels! YUM! I also love their cream of broccoli soup which I’m sure is horrible nutrition wise.
i love this post! i am normally pretty pessimistic-you know, either proven right or pleasantly surprised-but i’ve been trying to make an effort recently because i’ve noticed some days i complain about A LOT! i try to do the whole “this is going to be a GREAT day” thing, and i’ve noticed it works…at least a little bit.
sometimes i’ll be caught off guard by appreciation- like i’ll be out with friends and think to myself, i’m so lucky to have these people in my life!- and when i notice that, i try to hold onto it and remember it, and sometimes even just that thought makes me more positive about everything in general. i don’t know, it works for me.
and i love that bowl!
It’s so weird b/c just this morning I was having a sorta “blah” day and was being a bit negative. So I told myself I would have a really great dinner tonight. So now I’m just looking forward to dinner!! It helps!
PS and if you’re wondering what the dinner will be…hubby is cooking sweet potatoes in the crock pot, baked spicy tofu, a mexican salad and veggie baked beans!!
I definitely agree that your attitude really does affect the outcome of your day, workout, eating, etc.!
A+M, that dinner sounds delicious!
Very thoughtful post Heather! I remember learning in a college psychology class that people who were forced to smile rated their feelings as more positive than people who were forced to frown. That’s always stuck with me.
How to stay positive = think about the blessed life you have, and how good being HAPPY feels
Good luck with the challenge!!
Love your breakfast and the bowl!!
HaHA, this was my exact breakfast!
P.S. We had the same breakfast, minus flax for me – I’m still not on the bandwagon yet.
I am a very positive person, and I think it is just something some people have in them or are taught to have. I happen to have lost my mom right after my 18th birthday, and having lived a short life (she passed away at 42) I know that life is so short, but can be so sweet if you allow it to be. So I simply try not to allow anything to bring me down- life is too short for all of that.
When I do feel down, which is only natural, I think of positive things in my life. And other times I just allow myself to completely and fully be miserable/sad/annoyed/whatever negative emotion I am feeling, and then move on to more positive pastures.
A few closing thoughts that I have thought to myself hundreds of times in my life:
-Life is too short to be negative. So smile and find something beautiful in your self, your day, your life.
-You choose your life path, so if you are unhappy about something in it, make changes!
-We can only choose to BE so many things- so make those choices matter. Choose who you want to be, and be that person!
Now that I have seriously overshared, I will free your comment board for the others. I hope that my thoughts help everyone though, because a life with zillions of positive thoughts is definitely more fun than one with negative ones!
oatmeal really seems to be the breakfast of choice of many of the foodie blogs i read! good thing i love oatmeal
i will be trying pumpkin oatmeal this weekend when i have time to really sit down and fully enjoy it!!! (i’m often rushed in the mornings)
RhodeyGirl: Thanks for sharing. I do get the positive vibe from you and now I know why!
tiffanie: Definitely wait until you can enjoy it! I got to have it today because I had no school. Other mornings are usually fruit and yogurt!
I have trouble staying positive too! So any tips are great – I really wish I was one of those naturally grateful, peppy people – I’m just not…I tend to dwell and crab instead. Boo.
Oh, and you can totally run a 10k! They are SO much fun!! I also finally updated my blog.
Your thoughts on negative thinking and exercise piqued my interest. I wrote about how my thoughts regarding running can make or break a run a while back; http://sbfitness.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/a-day-for-myself/. I do believe that we undermine our own abilities and cut ourselves short from achieving what our bodies are actually capable of. I felt this when I took a bootcamp style class last week and we had to do a series of sprints. After a while, I could feel my mind give up WAAAAY before my body was tired. After recognizing this, I kind of told my brain to “shut up”, and then I was able to sprint again. lol. I agree with you that we often “offend” ourselves with our thoughts. You put words to the thoughts I was thinking!
I wouldn’t describe myself as positive per se, but I definitely think I’m an optimist, even though I worry and fret a lot! I always think things are somehow gonna work out fine. And I agree with Rhodeygirl that you can CHOOSE not to be negative. When I find myself complaining a lot/being negative, I just tell my self to stop. Maybe easier said than done, but I’d much rather be thinkin happy thoughts!
sorry this was uber long, but it really got me thinkin!
Wow, I really enjoyed hearing these responses. RhodeyGirl – I can definitely sense your positivity in your blog writing!
I have always been an optimistic person. I’m not really sure if there is any particular reason why – but it has definitely caused me to butt heads with people. Particularly my roommate. I love her like a sister, but she is a very “glass half empty” kind of girl. Sometimes my positivity actually makes her angry with me! It’s hard for me to have to hide how I really feel just so she can mope, so I try to avoid the negative atmosphere when I can and call on people such as my family and Bobby who I know I can count on to lift my spirits. So I guess my best advice is to always know that the ones you love most and who make you the happiest are just a phone call away.
The Pile on the Miles Challenge sounds like fun! I’m gonna check that out.
I have definitely become a believer in your thoughts shape your life. I try to spend at least a little time every morning thinking to myself what a great day it will be and what I hope to get done. Also during my runs when something hurts, I’ve started doing things like “I love you knee”. It sounds corny and it feels corny and i swear the pain starts to go away, then I focus back on good things and how amazing it is that I’ve already run so far or whatever it might be and then workout gets better!
I believe being aware of the surroundings what else is going on in the world will help us all stay positive about things. My mother always told me exercise is 50% physical 50% mental. I think this is true! I swam laps this afternoon at the university pool and wanted to stop after 10… then continued but the entire last 2 laps were miserable because I was THINKING they were. Turns out I survived. Our minds can really get us into thinking we’re GOING TO DIE AND THAT IT SUCKS!
I read that article too! I totally agree: im living proof of it. whatever attitude i walk into the gym with has a direct correlation to how long i do cardio for. anything negative and i quit halfway in.
I dont think negatively of myself, i just do the “im tired, this is boring” thing and sure enough i lose interest.
Kelly Turner
http://www.groundedfitness.com
i definitely agree – days when i am in a better mood, i get a great workout in and am more productive in everything i do, whereas when i’m in a so-so mood, everything is off!
sadly i dont have any tips or tricks yet but I definitely want to work on it, esp after reading this post!
staying positive is great for physical and mental health…luckily I am naturally optimistis and (normally) have a positive demeanor. Still, I’m going to try that strategy of waking up and thinking how great the day will be. Thanks!
I love that bowl :]
OMG I love those dishes! You’re freakin’ adorable.
I agree. Whenever I’m in a good mood with my can-do attitude working out, I always go so much harder and longer than I normally would. Ahem. Excuse me.
I’m not a positive person either, but I try to be surrounded by positive people, so I get more optimistic view of the world.
That’s a great post. I can definitely be pessimistic so perhaps I should be more positive when it comes to my diet and exercise.
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What a great post! I am one of those people. It took (and takes) work, but really, I just try to stay cool. For me, that means prioritizing and doing what I love, being around positive people, cognitive restructuring, and doing absolutley everything in my power to feel fab, fab, fab, 365 a year.
I know what I need and I get a lot of it from me! I can’t worry about what other people want me to be.
I also have a great husband who happens to be the most chill man alive.
Lots of research suggests that this type of temperament is inborn, but I do think we have a LOT of power in changing our thoughts.
I think it also helps that psychology owns me and I’ve learned some great ways to help myself.
Did I just totally rant about myself (my favorite topic)? Thanks for giving me another platform to do so.
That’s such a great New Year’s resolution and I can’t wait to follow your blog all year next year.
This comes at a perfect time for me since I’m trying to get back into running after having an injury for over a year (!). I think sometimes for me it’s that I’m such a WORRY wart…any kind of pain and I think it’s something gone wrong (but WebMD loves me!).
I love what the “little birdie” told you – so simple, yet true! Although, it might work better for me if I weren’t cursing as I get out of bed each morning (darn cold winters).
For me, surrounding myself with positive people is KEY. The times in my life when I’ve had more negative friends/co-workers around, my attitude definitely reflects that.
Great post! I’m going to work on thinking that I will be able to run rather than worry about what might happen when I do.
What you look for, you will find. I have bad days like everyone, but I start each day stopping and being grateful for the amazing blessings in my life, including all my blogger friends and the community I am a part of every day…..the more you “feed” your brain with positive input, the more it grows….!!
I try to be as contagiously happy as possible every day…..! Works for me.
K
my mom? completely totally negative.
the glass is BROKEN not half empty.
my mom? ALWAYS SICK.
nuff said
This time of year (the dark) is really hard for me to stay positive. I find that the mornings that I do a little activity right away changes my whole attitude for the entire day.
This morning, I did my Shred DVD & a few PT exercises, and I feel terrific. I’ve made a pledge to do something every morning, even if it’s just 10 minutes of sun salutations – it wakes me up & gets my metabolism going & makes me feel more positive & more productive all day.
I like the topic of this post. It is very difficult to stay positive, especially when we feel like “it’s the end of the world” haha. I believe that the way we look at life is a measure of how far we’ll go. Negativity doesn’t get very far, well unless you have lots of money. We we’re positive, we attract more people, we look and feel healthier inside and out. I do many things to try and stay positive, although I am not the most positive person in the world. When I’m upset and feel like walls are caving in, I vent to the people around me. When I feel overwhelmed about school/work and feel like giving up, I either write out a plan. Other times exercise is just a great stress reliever. I noticed that I am most positive after I workout.
Have a great morning! oh, and I don’t know if I mentioned this before, but I have the same pig bowl. I use it to put my measuring spoons/cups in.
First off – obsessed with your piggy bowl.
As to positivity – I’m actually reading a very interesting book right now that was recommended to me by my naturopathic Dr. who belives alot in the power of thoughts. It’s called “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Haye. She discusses how we need to plant positive thoughts in our minds and how little things like a positive mantra can affect our energy levels, productivity, will-power, etc.
Basically when you say something like “I am a pessimistic person or I anger easily” you are giving power to that anger and pessimism and are more likely to think negative thoughts. You need to continually tell yourself truths that you want to be true about yourself in order to see a change. Try telling yourself that you love yourself, your life and are going to have a great day and guess what – you will be one of those “chipper people”. It’s hard at first because it’s so easy to let thoughts like “this is stupid and wont work” sneak in, but once you start doing this I promise it’ll get easier and you’ll notice you smile more and anger less easily.
Nobody’s happy 100% of the time, but it’s all in how much you try. Negative people tend to actually attract negative energy and are more likely to feel stressed/have a bad day, etc. Not saying bad things are gonna happen if you smile, but you get where I’m going with this. Sorry to be long-winded!!
[...] class came at a perfect time for me because as I discussed last week, I’ve been trying to be a more positive person. And, although I’ve been doing better, [...]
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