Become a Possibilitarian

"How do you stay so incredibly positive when, from the outside, it would seem like the world you live in has collapsed?"

This question was asked of me by a friend from across the world, in response to hearing the news about a recent turn of events in our country. I chose to remain positive, and to remain open to the possibilities that Life has to offer, rather than taking the news, as it was reported, as a harbinger of how my own personal circumstances would unfold. In my world, what the news had reported was not a fact to me.

I am a Possibilitarian and I likewise believe that the power of a positive attitude simply cannot be underestimated. The American minister and author of the book The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale wrote,

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it."

You are only overcome by the 'fact' because you think you are. And how often do so many of us give up two feet from the finish line because we allow ourselves to believe-- because someone else has told us-- that we have been beaten?

So, I challenge you to become a Possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities - always see them, for they're always there. If you think you're beaten, you are. If you stare defeat in the eye and refuse to give up because of a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers (Peale again), you can overcome virtually any challenge and attain whatever you desire. Empty pockets can't hold you back very long. An empty mind filled with negative thoughts, however, certain can.

Positive Thinking Leads To Action!

With a positive attitude, you'll begin to believe that you can build health, wealth, and yes, happiness in abundance. Thinking about what you want and deserve in life will lead you to take the necessary steps to make those dreams part of your reality. Make a practice of beginning each day with silent gratitude and journaling your desired goals. Think big! You may feel that achieving your dreams is a long, slow road and sometimes the going does indeed get rough. Just remember that one small step toward change will start the process. The key is to just keep going. You don't have to know the 'how' of what you want, you just have to acknowledge that you want what you want and know that what you desire is possible.

Consider this:

Visualizing yourself in a better paying or more fulfilling job might spur you to update your resume
...Believing you belong in a house in the suburbs might push you to call a Realtor or to look in the classified ads
...Realizing you have talents that make you special might convince you to volunteer in your community
...Volunteering may lead you to a career in a field that you had not previously considered yet know that you would be perfect for

Living an abundant, wealth-filled life doesn't only refer to what's in the bank. Abundance of family and friends is a very important part of human life! And keep in mind that the larger your network is, the higher your net worth will be in the long run. True, overall wealth really is a team sport.

And Then Again, It's Easier To Be Negative...

The average person all too easily gets imbued with a negative attitude. It's so much easier to whine and complain about needing more money, a better job, or a bigger house and forgo taking personal responsibility for attainment. "It's too hard! I have too much to think about now! I'll never be able to do/be/have that!" seems to be a commonplace battle cry. The lack, and the negativity that it is comprised of, is reinforced at school, in the home, in the workplace, and throughout the media. Just look at what the television and newspaper news supply us with: constant negativity!

The media, if viewed objectively can be truly frightening. People are often so consumed in the negative imagery that they don't ever realize it's in their own power to change their circumstances.

You, however, as an individual can CHOOSE to turn off the television --known as the 'toxic box' in my home--or choose not read the newspaper. You can choose to remove the non-supportive influences in your life and surround yourself with possibility-based alternatives (and people!) instead. How about an hour of power, rather than an hour of the toxic-box? The hour of power for me works out this way: Twenty minutes of reading something motivational and uplifting, twenty minutes of meditation, and twenty minutes of exercise.

Knowing that things really are possible, and maintaining a positive attitude, can truly work magic in your life. Becoming a Possibilitarian can help you find the humor in things that may typically bring you down, and you'll be able to see things from a fresh, creative perspective filled with grace and lightness. You'll laugh more, feel healthier, be more courageous, have more self-confidence, and you won't be as prone to giving up before you even get started. And more often than not, things will fall into place and you'll feel, among other wonderful things, an incredible sense of accomplishment.