How to Stay Positive in Life: How to Stay Positive and Motivated

Staying positive in a negative world can be challenging most especially when bad news roll in with the stormy waves of life. Financial crisis, disease, divorce, broken families, betrayal, bankruptcy, loneliness hit you right smack in your face making your stomach churn and cringe.

I remember those moments in my life when I was in my early twenties and despair was one of my constant companions. There were moments I would close my eyes and would yearn to never open them again. Can life just go away? But you open your eyes eventually and you are still breathing. And you sigh with a mixture of “not again” and perhaps deep down, well, I have to admit that there was also a tinge of “glad to be still alive” feeling.

It’s ironic huh? But then that’s the beauty of the human spirit. In the end, the knowing comes that the best and the most magnificent part of you wants to live and breathe and be.

The Strategies: Staying Positive Amidst Negativity

Trust is one of the basic strategies in staying positive. Trusting in the Divine, the Source, God or whatever you want to call it is staying in alignment; and when you are connected to your divinity, you trust, because you know that all is well.

Sometimes when it rains, it pours. There are days when I arrive in our preschool and I am greeted with a problem. “There is no water.” And then more problems come, “A parent wants to talk to you. She has a complaint.” A call comes in, “We regret to inform you but…” and another teacher approaches you, “I need to be absent today…”

I would truly end up looking at the heavens, taking long deep breaths and saying aloud to myself, “It’s okay! I fully trust that solutions will come and we will find a way to fix all these problems.” So you do everything. You plan. You call the plumber. You talk to the parent. You allow the teacher to take a leave. And expect the best to happen.

Indeed, it does.

Trust Affirmation

I trust that I will be divinely guided and protected today.

I trust that all my needs will be met today and that the pure desires of my heart will manifest today.

I trust that the best thing will happen today and trust the loving presence of Source will sustain me.

What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you wake up in the morning? Interestingly, many of our thoughts lead us to what we must do, facing our problems in our heads and concocting a plan to solve this and that!

To stay positive, begin your day with a gratitude rampage. This is the best way to attune yourself to the goodness and beauty that lies all around you. Take a deep lovely breath and be grateful that you are alive! Stand up and stretch those arms up in the air and appreciate that you can move and walk around. Go outside and breathe in the fresh air and listen to the sounds of life and be thankful for all that you have and all that you are.

This alone can start your day in a positive mood. Then move about your day, choosing to appreciate rather than criticize. The more things you notice and are grateful about, the more bountiful blessings come your way.

Gratitude Affirmation

I am so grateful to be alive and for every gift and blessing that I have.

I am grateful for all the experiences that I have and for the lessons learned.

I am grateful that every moment is an opportunity I can use to live my life the way I want to live.

A friend of mine calls me up. She is in despair. She hates her work and doesn’t know what to do with her life. She wants to get married and have a family. But she hasn’t found the right guy yet. So she waits and waits in despair.

Many of us resonate with this story at one point in our lives. If your life is empty and meaningless, you will find out that you need a purpose, a vision and meaning. If you are feeling this way right now, don’t just mope around and lament that life is not going well for you. Find that which gives you joy. Follow your bliss. And it all starts with self-awareness. Learn about yourself. Write down your dreams. Go on a retreat. Meditate. Read books. Talk with a friend. Find your purpose and live a meaningful life. This will truly help you stay positive as you do the things you are passionate about.

Purpose Affirmation

I am learning about myself and my purpose in life.

I am excited to do the things I truly want to do.

I am living the life of my dreams.

I became an aunt again.  My brother and his wife just recently had a new baby boy.  It never fails to astound me that I can actually sit beside the crib and just stare at the baby sleeping –sometimes for half an hour to an hour.  And I would giggle silently as he would smile in his sleep.  He looked so adorable with his tiny fists curled up beside his face.  It made me realized that pure love, unconditional love is like this.  And it is just so awesome.

To stay positive in this world, we need to acknowledge something truly beautiful and magnificent.  We are love expressed.  Yes, you, me – we are all love!  And the more we recognize this, the more we are encouraged to bring out the best in ourselves. 

Love is then recognized everywhere.  It is but natural.  The more you see love within you, the more love you see outside of you.  The more love you have for yourself, the more love you can give to others. 

Be love in all forms…expressed with compassion, tenderness and care.  Love heals and helps you truly live a positive life.

Love Affirmations

I am love.

I am love expressed.

I am love manifested.

I know of one boy who had a broken family to start with. He had to leave home and fend for himself. He worked in different places until he ended up working with us. I see him everyday and so I know him well. Life has been a tough ride for him. And yet he has the determination and drive and motivation to work hard. He told us he wanted to continue his education. We said 'yes' even if it meant we had to adjust his duties at work. So he goes to a public school starting late in the afternoon until around 9 in the evening, while during the day he works for us. He is with our preschool for three years now; and next week, he will graduate with his elementary education and moving on to secondary education by next school year.

I am so proud of him. And I learn much from his attitude and perspective. You see it is so easy to fall into the pits of despair and be miserable and say 'I am too old to study again.' (He was around 19 when he started studying Grade 3 again.) But he chose the path that brings him to a positive place. He chose to trust and be grateful. He chose to love himself by giving himself a chance. And so in the end, it all boils down to our choice.

Choice Affirmations

I delight in the knowledge that I have the power to choose.

I choose hope.

I choose trust.

I choose wisdom.

I choose love.

I choose life.

Choose wisely. Choose well. Choose every moment of everyday to be positive, to be grateful, and to be love expressed. Life is beautiful and so are you.

By: Michelle Simtoco

KNOWLEDGE & EDUCATION: Self Education, Life Experiences, Wisdom, Tips & Advice

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Inspirational Thoughts: Letter to Michael Jackson

Inspiring Stories: Are All our Journeys Really Worthwhile?

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