Positive Thinking - It's an Effort!

The mind is a creature of habit. It thrives upon the dominating thoughts fed it.

When any negative emotion presents itself in one's mind, it can be transmuted into a positive, or constructive emotion, by the simple procedure of changing one's thoughts. - Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich and The Power of Positive Thinking are two of the titles that have been at the front of my library for the last few months. I try to read a few pages of Think and Grow Rich every few days before I get my day started in the office. I listen to The Power of Positive Thinking in my car on the 20-minute drive home from work. I'm on my 3rd time through the CD set.

Thinking positively in its simplest form "sure does make things easier". Stress, worry and headaches melt away when you are able to combine self-confidence with knowing you are not alone in the world (whether it be from your God, your family, or whatever you choose to believe in) and then add positive thinking to all of that. It has been a transforming power in my life. My wife would probably say its been incremental, and at some times it has, but my long term demeanor has definitely improved and I think my success as a person has improved along with it.

Thinking positive thoughts and taking pride and humbly appreciating everything you have in life is the best way that I have found to be a happier person - and that is what we are all after in this life, right? Every morning I thank the Lord for my wife, my son, my family and my health. I read my primary aim: "Provide a great life (one with love, joy, happiness and abundance) for me, my wife and my son." and I smile thinking about all that I have.

Regardless if work is tough, regardless of the unpleasantries associated with a lack of money, the inability to do certain projects that I am interested in doing because of money, I know that with a positive outlook those items will be attracted to me and I will achieve them at the time I am supposed to. I know that without those items nothing is lost as long as I have my family. For as long as I have them and their love I am the richest man in the world. It feels good to say it and know it's true.

Personal Motivation

My wife thinks I'm never listening. She says it all the time, "You're not even listening!" or "It doesn't matter because you're not going to hear this anyway." Some times she is definitely correct. I can't do two things at once. If I try to read email and hold a conversation - forget it - you can tell in a heart beat. That's my mea culpa.

But, some times she is wrong. I like to think its more than "some times" but that is a point that she and I can argue later. Some times, I am listening. And most of the time what she is saying makes sense. Last night she said something to the effect of "you don't need all of those motivational books, we [her and my son] she be enough [motivation] for you." Those aren't her exact words, I have a terrible memory for things that I hear vs. what I read.

But it struck a chord. While reading Napoleon Hill et. al is very helpful and inspiring, there is NOTHING more inspiring in the world than coming home at the end of the day to see my wife and my son. It truly is the best feeling in the world. And for that split second everything is perfect. Nothing matters, there are no worries, it is pure, simple joy. That is what I need to constantly remember - I can have that feeling any time I want, simply by walking in my front door. What a powerful thought.

I am going to capture that thought in my head and use it as my reserve from now on. I'm going to continue to read and learn and build from the foundation of the great writers, thinkers, and doers, but I am going to rely more on that "walk through the door" feeling to push me along. It is the best thing this world has to offer.