This is the last (but not least!) of my Guest Blogs this week! My good friend, Connie Lepine, is one of the most positive people I’ve ever known. In her very first-ever blog, she shares some tips with us about remaining positive. Thanks, Con!

We all want to “feel good,” don’t we? We might say to ourselves, “I’m going to be happy. I’m going to smile a lot. I’m going to count my blessings. I’m going to look for reasons to feel good. I’m going to look for positive things from the past. I’m going to look for positive things with my life as it is now. I’m going to look for positive things in the future. Nothing is more important than that you “feel good!” And you have absolute and utter control about that because you can choose the thought that makes you worry or the thought that makes you happy. You have the choice in every moment.

“Feeling good” can come about with The Law of Attraction. Simply put, the Law of Attraction is the ability to attract into our lives whatever we are focusing on. It is believed that regardless of age, nationality or religious belief, we are all susceptible to the laws which govern the Universe – one of which being the Law of Attraction. It is the Law of Attraction which uses the power of the mind to translate whatever is in our thoughts and materialize them into reality. If you focus on negative doom and gloom you will remain under that “black cloud” lurking over your head. If you focus on positive thoughts and have goals that you aim to achieve you will find a way to achieve them.

I have a few ways of “feel good” armor to share with you. One way I “feel good” is by doing “positive self-talk.” What is positive self-talk you may ask? The definition states” anything said to oneself for encouragement or motivation, such as phrases or mantras; also, one’s constant internal conversation.” Self talk influences how you feel and behave. What goes in, must come out, right? So what I feed myself emotionally will be exemplified in the things I do and in the things I say.

Another way I can “feel good” is to put small “feel good” notes everywhere I look. Visuals play an important part in our minds and work! Put a “feel good” sign in the bathroom to see first thing when you get up in the morning, in the kitchen, livingroom, car, office, at work, as you open the door, all over! I used to think people would think I was crazy for doing this, but I am not doing it for “people,” I am doing it for me! 

We all have positive and negative events in our lives. Self-talk can affect your perspective. It can boost you up or take you down. A common negative self-talk involves telling yourself “I can’t”. When you say to yourself “I can’t” or “it is too difficult”, you are creating a resistance. Having such a mental block will prevent you from achieving a task you could otherwise succeed at. Anytime you catch yourself saying “I can’t…”, turn around and challenge yourself with, “Why can’t I?” A great method that I have also found useful is to say “Cancel Cancel” each time I find myself saying something negative, whether in the mind or verbally.

Another helpful “feel good” armor is to concentrate on steps you can take in the present. If I find myself becoming stuck, I stop and say, “What can I do right now?” Change your internal talk from a future anxiety ridden one to one that is about the more manageable present. I cannot control what will happen in the future but I can take the necessary steps now that will build a better tomorrow. People who focus on the present and appreciate what they have today are more happy, energetic, and hopeful. Happiness opens your mind to new possibilities, creative thinking, and interest in social situations. Happier thoughts could give you fewer things to feel bad about.

So choose to fill your mind with positive images and thoughts. Learn to accentuate the positive and feel empowered. Make it a conscious habit. The process of shifting your thoughts and language is a lot like getting yourself in shape. If your muscles haven’t been worked in a while it’s going to be uncomfortable at first. But over time, negative words can take on the quality of a worn-in comfy pair of jeans — they just seem to fit. With practice it’ll get easier and easier. Trust me on this! You will experience an improvement in the quality of your life and “feel good.”  

Look at it this way. When you are making the best of something, no matter how bad it is, it’s got to get better. And as it gets a little better, and you still make the best of it, it’s got to get better. And as it’s still not very good, but you’re making the best of it–it’s got to get better. My encouragement to you is that you make a decision today and practice every day. Now, repeat after me, “Today is going to be a great day and I know I’m a winner!”