Optimist Prime, Not Negatron

Praying_Chispa MagazineWe read a great book by W. Hunter Howell about bereavement recently, and one of the chapters started with these words, “If you don’t like something then change it, and if you can’t change it then change the way you think about it.” These words really hit a nerve. Negative thinking can often be a habit your mind has adopted due to other circumstances. It could be that you are having financial worries. It could be the loss of a loved one recently. Perhaps there is a toxic atmosphere at work. Whatever it is, these things can slowly get under the skin and force you to start thinking negatively, even though you don’t want to. What’s more? It isn’t easy to get rid of negative thoughts. Often the harder you try the more they manifest themselves. How about trying a different approach?

Cry
People think that crying is bad, that it’s a sign of weakness and that you can’t cope, but this is an absolute myth. Crying is one of the best ways to clear your mind and start thinking clearly. It shakes something up in us, and stops the swirling mess of worry from being so unreadable. So why not have a good old cry. Release the build up of emotion and let the negative thoughts explode from you so that they are gone.

Talk
This is another great way to open the doors and let your negative thoughts walk out. Yes, talking is hard, but bottling things up can be extremely harmful. If there is something on your mind, something that is holding you back—whether that be financial woes, boyfriend problems, anything—then talk to someone. It could be a parent, a sibling, a friend or someone completely removed from it all. It will give your thoughts words which, much like with crying, can give them a form that isn’t so secret.

Energy
Correcting the energy in your body can be achieved in a few different ways. It could be that you go as far as having acupuncture, which uses needles to free up the flow of your nervous system. Perhaps start wearing jewelry made of black labradorite meditation mala beads, which are known to seal energy leaks. Praying for fifteen minutes a day, and reminding yourself of everything you are grateful to God for is a sure way to be closest to Him. 

Body
The body has a heavy link to optimism because it is heavily linked with your mind. Perhaps you need to change your diet and start eating more foods that are high in vitamins and Omega 3; both of these are known to address anxiety. However, it could be as simple as changing your posture. How you are standing, or how your face is resting, can force you to think a certain way. A frown will make you think badly, whereas a smile will draw out optimism. It’s simple.

Photo by Ben White

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Mia Guerra

Mia Guerra

Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine
Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine, Mia Guerra is a writer at heart. Regardless the topic, she loves to investigate, encourage, and ruminate on topics that can make us better people. Aiming to live a Proverbs 31 life, Mia is ecstatic to be following her calling with Chispa. At home she is her husband's sidekick and together they are raising a God-fearing family in Atlanta.

Mia Guerra

Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine, Mia Guerra is a writer at heart. Regardless the topic, she loves to investigate, encourage, and ruminate on topics that can make us better people. Aiming to live a Proverbs 31 life, Mia is ecstatic to be following her calling with Chispa. At home she is her husband's sidekick and together they are raising a God-fearing family in Atlanta.