11 Ways to Overcome Negative Energy

August 20, 2014 by Kristen Butler

There are an ebb and flow that exists in life. It is part of our world and every day we have a choice on how we react to it. Some days we feel exhilarated and ready to take on the world, while other days our attitude may be more positive, peaceful, and calm.

Life is filled with doors of opportunity for the negative and positive. It is up to us which doors we pass by and which ones we enter. How long we stay in each room depends upon us and what we allow. Although, sometimes the illusion is that the door is shut, locked, and we are trapped.

Yes, negative energy exists, but it does not mean it needs to consume our lives and rob of us the abundance that is truly available to all of us.

For some, positive thinking may come easy. But, most people need to practice and cultivate it. It is possible for everyone.

“There is a little difference in people but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. – W. Clement Stone

The current state of your mind and your life can improve simply by making small tweaks in your daily habits. Over time, practicing new, positive habits will become second nature to you and will allow for better opportunities and growth.

Here are 11 Tips to Overcome Negative Energy & Be More Positive:

1. Bypass the Negative

“Turn your face to the sun and all of the shadows fall behind you.” – Marori Proverb

If you truly want to turn a negative into a positive, skip the negative altogether and just be positive. You can override the negative with practice. Look forward and focus on where you are going, not where you have been. Your soul yearns for growth and expansion for our highest good.

2. Realize you are stronger than you think.

Fear is a nasty negative emotion. It holds us in bondage and can rob us of our true potential and happiness. In addition, it tells us we are not good enough and that we are weak. It whispers lies in our ear and sometimes we believe them. The more we believe them, the farther away we travel from the life of our dreams.

To overcome the negative we MUST realize we are stronger than we believe. We can do more than we think. We are capable of so much more. Believing in ourselves is the first step. When we let go of limiting beliefs, we open doors of opportunity that we never once thought possible, and gain the courage and strength to enter those doors and do our best.

3. Practice changing your perspective.

There is always a positive perspective you can take from every situation. Yes, it’s not always easy but even the most negative and traumatic situations hold life lessons to move forward.

When you choose to habitually move forward from pain with a positive perspective your life will transform. You will release anger, blame and many other negative emotions, while opening your heart, mind and doors to new opportunities.

“See the positive side, the potential, and make an effort.” ~Dalai Lama

4. Smile more and walk with an uplifted disposition.

Have you ever looked at random pictures that someone has taken of you at an event or gathering? What does your normal demeanor and disposition look like? Do you look joyful or unhappy? Are you smiling or do you appear stressed?

If you aren’t sure, consciously check in with yourself throughout the day. Be sure your face and body are relaxed and walk with a comfortable, upright posture. Smile as often as you like, even if for no apparent reason except for the fact that you are alive! 🙂

5. Focus on building the new.

“The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
– Socrates

Switch to forward-thinking and release the held visions of the past. Learning from your past is helpful in building the new, but don’t keep your focus there or you will continue to repeat the same mistakes. Growth happens when we step out of our comfort zone in faith, explore new horizons, and begin to create a life of your dreams.

6. Make the best of what the day brings – dress up and show up.

A positive attitude won’t protect you from all of the negative, but it will help you better manage how long it stays around. When a challenge arises, make the best of it. React to negative situations with peace, patience, an open heart, and an open mind.

If you wake up feeling down, dress your best anyway. Actually, it’s when you need it the most. Show up for yourself and you’ll instantly feel happier and more confident. Life loves when you step into your power and transcend the negative. 😉

7. Enhance your self talk. Speak about your worthiness.

“Like food is to the body, self-talk is to the mind. Don’t let any junk thoughts repeat in your head.”
-Maddy Malhotra

How you live your life is largely determined by that “eency-weency” voice inside your head. If that voice speaks down to you, it’s important to hush it and start speaking words of worthiness. Love yourself the way you want others to love you.

Have you read our 24 Affirmations to Help you Build Positive Self Talk?

8. Keep in touch with positive people.

We can’t do everything by ourselves and thinking that way will keep us from our highest good. We all need each other and daily inspiration from others. Neurons that fire together wire together, so it is vastly important that you allow yourself to fuel on positive energy from those around you.

Take a moment to consider the people you keep in touch wight he most– are they helping you along on your journey or are they stressing you out? Allow yourself to connect with more positive people every day!

9. Spend time alone, but not too much.

Spending time alone can be rejuvenating. During this time you can meditate, read, do yoga, take a bubble bath, or just be. It’s very important to take this time for yourself every day (or at least a few times a week).

The key is not to spend too much time alone. Often times too much time alone gives you too much time to over think things. We all need human interaction, especially with those that we truly love.

10. Live in Gratitude.

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” – Brian Tracy

If something isn’t going your way, one of the first things you can do is think of all the things going right. Turning on the gratitude switch will help begin to turn it all around. After some diligent practice, gratitude will be so ingrained in your life there will be no need for practice.

You will wake up every day living with a thankful heart. Your beautiful, radiant positive energy will be picked up by others and inspire them. Gratitude is surely the quickest way to overcome negative thinking and transform your life.

11. Be active daily and eat raw, whole foods.

Movement is good for the mind, body, and soul. It allows everything to move whether it’s our blood, oxygen or tension and negative emotions. Exercise of any form allows your mind to stop and focus to be placed in the now and on your breath.

In addition, fuel your body with raw, plant-based foods that contain energy not found in processed or cooked food. There is a much higher level of positive, light energy in these foods and your body will thank you. You won’t feel sluggish, tired, or full – you’ll feel energetic, revitalized, and satisfied!

BONUS POSITIVE TIP

12. Read positive quotes and articles daily.

What are you watching and reading daily? Be sure that it’s positive. For instance, listening to the nightly news could be switched to watching an inspirational documentary, reading a self-help book or watching GaiamTV. One great way to receive daily inspiration is to stay subscribed to Power of Positivity on Facebook. By becoming a fan and being part of this fast-growing, positive community you will receive daily quotes of inspiration and connect with like-minded people any time.

The “Like List” Challenge

August 20, 2014 by Kristen Butler

Nearly every expert speaks highly of a daily “to-do” list. This list is supposed to cure stress and make you more productive and successful, right? So, we propose the idea of a different kind of daily list to create success in life. It’s called The “Like List Challenge”

Every day you have two choices. You can focus on what you like or what you don’t like. Essentially, you create your life based on where you keep your focus.

With every thought and word, you either add to the “Like List” or the “Do Not Like List”.

Which list are you adding more to right now?

For the next 24 hours, consciously monitor your thoughts and words.

Here is how you can take the “Like List Challenge.”

Observe what happens throughout the day, record the daily summary of your thoughts and conversations on paper.

If you find yourself with a large majority on the “Like List”, congratulations! You are allowing positivity to flow through you freely, which will result in more happiness, gratitude, fulfillment, love, and success. Your focus is on the positive direction and you will continue to see more abundance.

If you find yourself adding many items to the opposite list, the “Do Not Like List”, you are creating more limitations on yourself. The limitations in your life are there because of your focus on negative thoughts.

When you begin to release your limiting belief systems and stop adding to the do not like list, you create space for the things you do want.

It’s very important that through this process you are easy and gentle with yourself. You’re not perfect. You may add to the do not like list sometimes, but that happens. In fact, to a degree, knowing what we do not want can lead us closer to what we do want. It can give us experience and knowledge so we can grow our “Like List Challenge” circle and ask friends to join in.

Ideally, you want to keep your focus mainly on the “Like List”. Keep your “Do Not Like List” at a minimum, only using it as a tool to understand more about your like list, and adding to it.

Overall, strive to have 75% of your thoughts, words, actions, and reactions positive.

Keeping this strong focus on the things you like, will bring you more of what you like. The same is true for the other list.

So, YES it is really that simple.

You have the ability to allow your mind to be a fresh sheet of paper – a new list. You can write whatever you want on it, whatever feels good to you and is for your highest good.

Take the Like List Challenge and let me know what you find in the comments. Better yet, tag us on Facebook<3

The Human Aura: What Is It and How Does it Work?

August 18, 2014 by Power of Positivity

Did you know that you create your own energy field? It’s true. The abundance of electrical impulses (aura) from your brain to the nerve endings of your body creates an energy field.

Incredibly, we impact our energy field (or ‘aura‘) by our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual states. The environment in which you surround yourself also affects your aura. Ever heard the phrase “you are a product of your environment”? Well, your aura may just be part of that.

Let’s’ explore ‘Aura’ a little more.

Aura = visible energy

“All phenomena- from the planet we inhabit to the oceans, clouds, forests and flowers that surround us, arise in dependence upon subtle patterns of energy.” – The Dalai Lama

Most of us cannot see energy without the assistance of scientific instruments. Bioelectrophotography captures these energy fields as a permeating light around the body.

Your aura will often radiate a colorful, brilliant glow when you’re feeling happy, feeling blessed, or just being in a positive state of mind. Additionally, your heart will actually emit a pink and gold-like glow in vibrant form when feeling any of these positive emotions.

When you’re feeling angry, sad, depressed, anxious, or any other negative state, your body minimizes your aura emission. Indeed. the color dulls. The vibrancy loses its glow and its allure, kind of how your state of mind becomes doom and gloom when feeling bad.

Aura and consciousness

“We are developing the idea that our consciousness is part of the material world and that with our consciousness we can directly influence our world.” – Dr. Konstantin Korotkov

More amazing is the idea that you may just be able to change the world by using your own energy. While certainly not a new idea (Buddhists have believed this for thousands of years), the notion was sorely lacking any backing or legitimacy from the scientific community.

Meet Dr. Korotkov

Then, a Russian scientist by the name of Dr. Konstantin Korotkov, a professor of physics at St. Petersburg State Technical University in Russia, proclaimed that our energy and consciousness has an impact on our surrounding environment.

He also claimed that both human beings and elements found in nature have their own energy fields and that these energies can interact with one another (further examined in the Princeton study, below).

Dr. Korotkov developed the technique known as Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV). This is a collection of techniques enabling the capture of electrical energy fields. In doing so, Korotkov discovered ways to view the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual energy radiated from human beings and other natural elements.

GDV facilitated the patenting of Electrophotonics, Korotkov’s technology line that captures energy emanating from humans, inanimate objects, liquids, plants, and powders, and convert these images into a digitized model.

Korotkov and his researchers state that this technology can detect abnormal energy fields, and can facilitate the diagnosis of various ailments and other physical and emotional imbalances.

In addition to diagnosis, Korotkov and his fellow scientists are researching how GDV and electrophonic can assist with potentially life-saving treatments for cancer. Besides medicine, technology is utilized in fields such as agriculture, biophysics, ecology, genetics, forensic science, and psychology.

Take note that Dr. Korotkov is not alone in proclaiming that our mind and energy can alter our material world.

Princeton’s PEAR program

Princeton University (yes, that Princeton) created a division known as the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) program.

The PEAR program focuses on “studying the interaction of human consciousness with sensitive physical devices, systems, and processes, and developing complementary theoretical models to enable better understanding of the role of consciousness in the establishment of physical reality.”

They also established a non-profit research organization and a company that provides devices specifically designed to be used for research.

In other words, one of the world’s top research institutions thinks there’s enough to Dr. Korotkov’s “consciousness can directly influence our world” thing to invest millions of dollars into a program dedicated to its study, a non-profit research organization, and a company that manufactures devices to be used for the study.

The Princeton “Coin Flip” Experiment

Princeton scientists in the PEAR program use devices called random event generators (REG) in many of their experiments. These devices randomly generate a string of numbers, which are then stored in computer files.

One of these REG machines replicates coin flips. So, when left alone, the machine flips at about a 50/50 clip of heads and tails, as expected. However, when researchers placed a human being near the machine and told them to focus intently on heads or tails, the results changed to more heads or tails!

Here is an outcome that’s even more interesting. When two people in a relationship, such as a married couple, focused on the same heads/tails outcome, the results were intensified. Indeed, even more heads or tails occurred. According to researchers, this happened in virtually every experiment.

Everything is Energy

“Now I realize that it isn’t the miracle that creates the believer. Instead, we are all believers. We believe that the illusion of the material world is completely real. That belief is our only prison. It prevents us from making the journey into the unknown.” – Deepak Chopra

This phenomenal quote by Dr. Deepak Chopra summarizes the common person’s thought process in five sentences. Almost all of us unconsciously default to this frame of mind when going about our daily lives.

Einstein wrote the revolutionary formula of E=mc2 in 1905. Of course, this theory demonstrates that the mass of an object and its energy are the same. Yet, we took almost 120 years to begin making the connection between humans, our energy, and our universe!

The fact is that everything we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste consists of energy. Scientists all over the world are beginning to discover the interconnectivity of seemingly unrelated elements. Of course, all this happens through the study of electrical and magnetic fields.

The future of human energy fields, our consciousness, and how it can influence the world is truly exciting and potentially revolutionary.

Resources:

Dr. Konstantin Korotkov’s website: www.korotkev.eu

The Human Aura: http://www.heartscenter.org/TeachingsBlogs/FoundationalTeachings/UnderstandingtheHumanAura/tabid/368/Default.aspx

Princeton/Korotkov experiment: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/09/05/mind-over-matter-princeton-russian-scientist-reveal-the-secrets-of-human-aura-intentions/

Princeton’s PEAR program: http://www.princeton.edu/~pear/

Why Forgiveness Is Power

August 16, 2014 by Power of Positivity

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.” ~Robert Muller

Do you consider yourself to be a forgiving or resentful person? If somebody has hurt you in the past or did something to make you suffer, would you hold on to those past events, thoughts and feelings, or would you just let them go?

I always say that where there is anger, hate, revenge, bitterness, there is also a lot of pain underneath, and I really believe that to be true. A person who is blissful and content with herself and the world around, no matter how many mean people she will encounter and no matter how much pain those people may cause her to feel, she will always respond with love, kindness and compassion instead of anger, hate and resentment. Loving people know that an eye for an eye would only leave the whole world blind, like Gandhi said it, and they choose to do no harm to the world around them.

“If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives: Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies: Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank people will try to cheat you: Be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight: Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous of you: Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten by tomorrow: Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough: Give your best anyway.” ~Mother Teresa

I know it’s a lot easier to give back exactly what you receive, and in this case, a lot of negativity, but we don’t want to do what’s easier, but rather what is best for our health, our well being and that of those around us. I know that people can be really mean sometimes, and that they can do horrible things to those they come in contact with, to those they love and care about, but I also believe that people can change, and this is why it’s so important to give up on your personal history that you might have had with those people, and allow them to show you just that.

If you keep an inner record of what this/that person did to you, and what they said to you, and how they made you feel, how much pain they may have caused you, etc. , every time you will come into contact with them, you will be reminded of all those things, and you will never be able to forgive and forget, nor to allow them to show you how sorry they are for what happened. No matter if they did all of those things on purpose or not, by holding on to grudge, anger or whatever it is that you are holding on to, you will bring even more pain upon your shoulders.

Just think about it. How is it possible to affect them with your hate, or whatever feelings you have towards them? You sit at home, ruminating about all the times they have mistreated you; and all the times they have hurt you; and all the many horrible things they did to you; making all kind of scenarios in your head about the things you want to tell them, and about the many ways you could get even… You spend most of your time doing just that, when the people you hate so much are probably having the time of their lives, not being affected by your feelings at all. It just doesn’t make any sense. Your ego might tell you that it does, but deep down in your heart you know that what you are doing is pretty crazy and disturbing.

I guess it’s time for you to stop, don’t you think? Forgive and forget, not for them, but for your own sake. Why spend your time thinking about something that would only attract more anger and drain you of your emotional, physical, and mental energy, ignoring all the beauty that is present in and all around you…? What’s done is done. Let it go. Detach yourself from it.

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of the many mistakes people make in this case, I would say, is that they choose to hold on to something that is not healthy for them, just because they aren’t willing to let go of some past resentments. Why won’t you let go of something that is causing you so much pain?

“Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.” ~Buddha

Here’s what I would like you to do: take a sheet of paper and a pen, and write down a couple of questions, questions that are meant to help you see things differently, and help you let go of your own misery. After you write each question, try giving an honest answer to each and every one of them:

Who is the person that mistreated you? Is it your mother, your father, your spouse, is it your child, your best friend, your neighbor your dog, your cat? Who is it?

Do you think they did what they did just to hurt you? Do you think they did it on purpose?

Do you think it’s possible for you to forgive them, and I mean, really forgive them?

Do you think it’s possible for you to forget everything and go back to how things were before?

Would you rather hold on to your anger than go back to being friends? Can you even remember how good it felt to be in their presence, to spend time with them?

Would you say that they are sorry for what they did?

Are you willing to give up on the relationship you had with this person because of what he/she did to you?

Is it worth being upset? Is your ego really that big?

What does your mind tell you to do?

What is your heart telling you to do?

To whom are you going to listen? Your heart, or your mind?

And then make a decision. You either choose to continue being friends with that person or not. Whatever your decision will be, you will eventually have to let go in order to be happy!

Let go of that friendship, let go of the relationship you had with this person, let go of those past resentments, let go of the hate… let go of that person you once loved. You will have to chose, and no matter what your choice would be, you will eventually free yourself.

And here’s another tip for you. If you choose with your mind, who is so critical and judgmental, and most of the time telling you all kind of crazy things that would only attract even more anger and resentment upon you, you would probably have many regrets afterwards. On the other hand, if you choose with your heart, who is constantly trying to help you see that letting go of all that negativity, would not only bring you freedom but will also help you rediscover the inner peace and happiness. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as your mind is trying to convince you life should be. Simplify your life! Listen to your mind but always follow your heart.

Do you think forgiveness is an act of weakness or of strength? Is there anyone in your life you feel that you have to forgive? You can share your insights by joining the conversation in the comment section below.

With all my love,

Source: Written by Luminita Saviuc of Purpose Fairy, Guest contributor
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5 Inner Characteristics of a Positive Thinker

August 15, 2014 by Power of Positivity

People with a positive attitude stand out, don’t they? A positive thinker always attracts attention–without ever meaning to!

These individuals always have a “pep in their step” and a smile on their face. They make the most of their life and always seem to lift up everyone around them.

Not only do these folks possess a great attitude, radiate confidence, and achieve great success, they also enjoy other amazing benefits such as the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and a longer life expectancy.

These physical benefits are not the only thing positive people have in their favor either. Positive people have certain inner characteristics that are something to behold.

We’ve made a list of five of the most important inner characteristics a positive thinker.

5 Inner Characteristics of a Positive Thinker

Positive Thinker Characteristic #1: Resilience

One by-product of a positive disposition is a resilient nature. Simply put, by being a positive thinker, even during adversity, you become tougher and stronger. This characteristic allows you to maintain emotional stability and brings forth opportunities and solutions that appear quickly and are more effective.

As a terrific individual once said, “I purposely, consciously redefine problems as opportunities.”

If you think about it, isn’t there something to be gained out of even the toughest situations? Maybe even perhaps a stronger nature or more discipline?

If these questions resonated with you, congratulations! You have a resilient nature and are on the right path to being a positive thinker. 😉

Positive Thinker Characteristic #2: Acceptance

Most of us try hard to create accomplishments in our lives. We hope, pray, and “keep on keeping on.”

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, things can go the other way – resulting in disappointment and rejection. The concept of acceptance is so prevalent and esteemed that three of the major world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, base their core dogmas off of it.

Acceptance allows you to learn from your mistakes and maintain perspective, rather than exaggerating or reacting dramatically. In other words, please do not beat yourself up. Just make the most of what happened, forgive yourself, and move on.

Positive Thinker Characteristic #3: Gratitude

Granted, we’ve heard it a million times. “Be thankful for what you have…”

We are all so busy with our work, families, and other obligations, that it’s easy to forget to contemplate the good (small) stuff in our lives. A roof over our heads, food on the table, a warm embrace, a paycheck, air in our lungs… these are all things to be thankful for.

Positive thinkers consciously take time each day and feel grateful for these things. Gratitude is a practice and something that needs to be cultivated and encouraged every single day. It’s not a once in a while type of thing or something you do when everything is going well. It’s a daily practice, no matter what is going on, that in time can flow very naturally to the point where you are living a life of pure gratitude and bliss.

This is in fact probably the cornerstone characteristic of a positive thinker. If we’re mindful (and honest) we can think of many things to be truly grateful for every day.

Positive Thinker Characteristic #4: Consciousness

Sometimes, it can feel as if our lives are on autopilot. Our brains are elaborate, magnificent, marvelous creations. The world’s greatest supercomputer cannot compete with the processing power of the human brain. That being said, the human brain is can easily become diluted.

The world’s most sought after psychologists and authors on topics of spiritual growth, mind power and self-improvement all base their teachings on the practice of conscious thought. What we put into our minds and program into our conscience has far-reaching effects on the kinds of lives that we live – from getting a job to maintaining a diet or exercise regimen, what we believe, we achieve.

Positive thinkers innately know this consciousness stuff. The exciting thing is that even if we are not pre-programmed to think this way; through mindfulness, prayer (meditation, etc.)), and reflection, we can attain a higher consciousness and experience a better life for ourselves.

Positive Thinker Characteristic #5: Integrity

Telling the truth is a very noble trait, but it’s more than that… integrity is about being honorable, moral, righteous and straightforward.

As human beings, we are not born with an inclination toward lying and deceptiveness. Rather, we are conditioned to think that it’s acceptable behavior. Usually, even if we aren’t conscious of it, we adopt that behavior as a way to achieve “love” and “acceptance”. Through the pressures and tribulations of this world, we sometimes feel that we can potentially benefit by telling a lie – from a “little white lie” to a gross exaggeration.

Either way, our acts (even the little ones) matter and they can and will affect us and others around us. Truth and righteousness always prevail – sometimes not always in the way we expect. Call it the cycle of Karma if you will, but either way, living a life of integrity will create a wonderful ripple effect in your life.

If you need proof, please study the most influential figures in our history. From divine figures such as Jesus and Buddha to everyday heroes like Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa, these individuals exemplified the power of integrity, despite the consequences – some of which were grave.

Integrity is a powerful characteristic of a positive thinker. The two go hand in hand just as are lying and negativity. You cannot have one without the other.

As with all of the other positive inner traits, integrity is something that truly positive people innately understand and live by; and something we can all adopt into our life.

Final Thoughts

All in all, never judge yourself if you fall short with this list. We are all human beings and we make mistakes. The important part is to learn from them and continually strive to improve daily.

Seek to understand your shortcomings and make a conscious decision to improve in one area at a time, and then another. Focusing on one area strongly will bring forth your desired outcome.

When we consciously strive to improve and mold ourselves with the power of positivity we can surely expect to have a better quality of life and become a true positive thinker.

Here’s How Being Thankful Improves Your Health

August 7, 2014 by Power of Positivity

“It is not happy people who are thankful; it is thankful people who are happy.”

On Thanksgiving, people around the United States expressed gratitude for the bounty of their lives. However, many may not realize that in doing so, they are also improving the quality of their health. Moreover, they are increasing their life expectancies.

The scientific evidence is conclusive when it comes to mood, outlook, and health. Happy people live 7-10 years longer than unhappy people. Additionally, optimistic people have a 77% lower risk of heart disease than pessimistic people. But how can you become happier and more optimistic in your world view?

The How Of Happiness

In Sonja Lyubomirsky’s The How Of Happiness, the author teaches us how 50% of our propensity for happiness is based on a genetic set point, something we can’t influence very much, 10% is based on life circumstances (such as getting the promotion, finding The One, or achieving the creative dream), and 40% is “intentional activity” that we can influence with our behavior.

That means we can be up to 40% happier in our lives without changing our circumstances one bit, and one of the key intentional activities is the practice of gratitude.

Research shows that consistently grateful people are happier, more energetic, more hopeful, more helpful, more empathic, more spiritual, more forgiving, and less materialistic. They’re also less likely to be depressed, anxious, lonely, envious, neurotic, or sick.

The Evidence

In one study, one group of participants were asked to name five things they’re grateful for every day. Another group was asked to list five hassles. Those expressing gratitude were not only happier and more optimistic, but they also reported fewer physical symptoms. They less frequently struggled with issues like headache, cough, nausea, or acne. Other gratitude studies have shown that those with chronic illnesses demonstrate clinical improvement when practicing regular gratitude.

Severely depressed people instructed to list grateful thoughts on a website daily were found to be significantly less depressed by the end of the study when compared to depressed people who weren’t asked to express gratitude. And we know that depression is a significant risk factor for disease.

For more surprising scientific proof about how to be ultimately healthy, read Mind Over Medicine or watch my public television special Heal Yourself: Mind Over Medicine (check listings here). (Hint: Being generous and radical self care are good for your health, so try giving generously of your time and love this holiday season while also focusing on your own self care!)

How Does Gratitude Boost Happiness?

According to Dr. Lyubomirsky, gratitude:

Promotes savoring of positive life experiences
Bolsters self-worth and self-esteem
Helps people cope with stress and trauma
Encourages caring acts and moral behavior
Helps build social bonds, strengthen existing relationships, and nurture new relationships (and we know lonely people have twice the rate of heart disease as those with strong social connections)
Inhibits harmful comparisons
Diminishes or deters negative feelings such as anger, bitterness, and greed
Thwarts hedonistic adaptation (the ability to adjust your set point to positive new circumstances so that we don’t appreciate the new circumstance and it has little affect on our overall health or happiness)

How To Practice Gratitude

You don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy the benefits to your health and happiness that accompany gratitude.

Keep a gratitude journal.
Ponder 3-5 things you’re currently grateful for (it’s okay if these are mundane things!) and write them down. Data suggests that doing this once per week may be most beneficial, but if you find that doing it daily works best for you, go for it!

Cultivate An Attitude of Gratitude.
Journaling may not be your cup of tea, so you might be better off just training yourself to think grateful thoughts. Try noticing one ungrateful thought you have each day and switching it around to something you can be grateful for.

Vary Your Gratitude Practice.
Try journaling sometimes, thinking grateful thoughts, speaking what you’re grateful for at dinner time, making art about what you’re grateful for, but shake it up! We tend to get bored easily, so the practice of gratitude works better when we change how we’re grateful.

Express Gratitude Directly To Others.
Call a friend, write a letter, share your grateful thoughts with family members, or speak to a colleague at work about what you’re grateful for.

What Are You Thankful For?

Share your gratitude here in the comments. And thank you for caring what I write about. I’m super grateful for you!

With gratitude,

By Lissa Rankin MD , Source: Wake Up World

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Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

11 Ways to Overcome Negative Energy

Here are 11 Tips to Overcome Negative Energy & Be More Positive:

1. Bypass the Negative

2. Realize you are stronger than you think.

3. Practice changing your perspective.

4. Smile more and walk with an uplifted disposition.

5. Focus on building the new.

6. Make the best of what the day brings – dress up and show up.

7. Enhance your self talk. Speak about your worthiness.

8. Keep in touch with positive people.

9. Spend time alone, but not too much.

10. Live in Gratitude.

11. Be active daily and eat raw, whole foods.

BONUS POSITIVE TIP

12. Read positive quotes and articles daily.

For the next 24 hours, consciously monitor your thoughts and words.

Overall, strive to have 75% of your thoughts, words, actions, and reactions positive.

Let’s’ explore ‘Aura’ a little more.

Aura = visible energy

Aura and consciousness

Meet Dr. Korotkov

Princeton’s PEAR program

The Princeton “Coin Flip” Experiment

Everything is Energy

5 Inner Characteristics of a Positive Thinker

Positive Thinker Characteristic #1: Resilience

Positive Thinker Characteristic #2: Acceptance

Positive Thinker Characteristic #3: Gratitude

Positive Thinker Characteristic #4: Consciousness

Positive Thinker Characteristic #5: Integrity

Final Thoughts

The How Of Happiness

The Evidence

How Does Gratitude Boost Happiness?

How To Practice Gratitude

What Are You Thankful For?

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Rise and Shine On! Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist

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Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist