During early childhood, some of you formed negative thoughts about yourself and about life based on the messages you received, the emotional trauma you suffered, and the role modeling of the adults around you.
Numerous studies on child development and human behavior indicate that attitudes and behavior of parents toward their children clearly influence patterns of childhood development. Including the development of thought patterns, which children form about themselves, other people, and life in general.
Jason is 30 years old, and employed as a store clerk. He was raised in a home where his parents did not express love or affection. His parents were strict disciplinarians. When Jason did something wrong or made a mistake he was often told, he was “bad, dumb, stupid, and would never become anything in life.”
Jason has been a store clerk for the past eight years. He is well liked by his co-workers and supervisor. His supervisor often encouraged him to enter the management trainee program to become a store manager. Jason would repeatedly tell his supervisor, “I am not interested.” His supervisor would reply, “You would make an excellent store manager and you will more then double your current salary.”
Jason’s inner voice or thoughts had convinced him that he was a failure and that he was unworthy of being successful.
Negative thoughts or pessimism can become a habit or a way of life, based on how you feel or think about yourself. You become what you think.
- If you think you are unworthy of a loving relationship, or will never find true happiness, it is quite likely, you never will.
- If you think you are inferior, dumb, and ignorant you will act that way.
- If you think you are nothing and nobody, you will be.
- If you think you will never be successful, you won’t.
Positive thoughts or optimism often reflects self-esteem–a positive sense of self, and feelings of hope for the future. People who are living rewarding lives appear to be positive thinkers.
- If you think that you are worthy of being loved and living a rewarding life, the chances are greater that you will.
- If you think you will be successful, chances are you will.
- If you think you are smart, you will act that way.
- If you think you deserve to be happy, you will be.
You have a choice to think negatively or positively, to live with defeat or to strive for a life of victory. You do not have to live as a victim or view yourself as powerless. Choosing to blame others for your misery and failures without realizing that you are ultimately responsible for yourself.
If you were abandoned, neglected, abused or betrayed it would be in your best interest to move on with your life. Refusing to allow what happened to you control your destiny.
All of us in some shape of form carry baggage from our past. We all have our burdens to bear, past hurts and wrongs to overcome. Dwelling on the negative aspects of your past lead to viewing yourself as a victim, with feelings of shame and guilt.
In most cases, reliving the negative memories of your past can often prolong the problem. Producing other emotional, psychological, or physical problems that prevent you from living a fulfilled and satisfied life. These negative memories continue to serve as a reminder that something is wrong with you no matter how hard you try to correct your life.
You need to become aware and understand that you have the power to change your thinking from negative to positive. When you think a negative thought, replace it with a positive one by focusing on the good things that are happening in your life.
One way to stop letting your past control your destiny is to forgive those who hurt you. Forgiveness does not deny responsibility for behavior. What it does is allow you to free yourself of the constant negative thoughts, and deep-seated anger, so you can start healing. Medical science has proven that some diseases can be healed from the mind body and spirit through forgiveness, prayer, and the power of positive thinking.
Every day you spend being controlled by negative thoughts or living with anger, bitterness, resentment, and feeling defeated is wasted time. Life is short and precious. Tomorrow is not promised to you, regardless of your stature in life. You must make the most of every day.
No matter how difficult your circumstances appear to be, you should always try to maintain a positive attitude with the belief that the rewards of life is well worth the short journey of your life span.
If you continue to think the same way, you will keep doing the same things, and you will continue to get the same results. To change your life, you must change how you think.
Tags: positive thinking
