The Power of Positive Thinking

I have been reading this book by Norman Vincent Peale, taking it with a grain of salt as some of it borders on new age philosophy. However, he was a minister and a Christian psychologist so his insights are pretty poignant.

Anyway, there was something that really stood out to me when I was reading the other night that I wanted to share. He was talking about how hapiness is a choice; it's not something that comes naturally to us since we live in a world filled with disapointments, struggles and hardships. It's something that we have to CHOOSE TO BE every single morning. Instead of waking up thinking "this is going to be the worst day ever" or "today is going to be a struggle" and choosing gloominess and unhappiness, he suggests lying in bed for a few extra minutes before getting up. Begin going over in your mind all of the positive, good things that you want to happen that day; envision how you're going to interact with your children, with your husband, with others around you. Then, say "This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" three times out loud.

Again, this isn't a perscription or using the Bible as some self-help book but I guess if there's any self-help book to read, it WOULD be the Bible! And truly, the power and strength to be the person you want to be does ultimately come from JESUS and not from any human power. I think in addition to adding positive "happy" thinking to the beginning of my day it has to be coupled with reading from the Word and asking the Lord to bless my day, bless my efforts and bless those around me by my attitude and actions.

Anyway, just thought I would share!