September 13th is Positive Thinking Day, but come on, you don’t need a single day out of the calendar to remind you of how precious positivity is. Life is always sending challenges your way, and being optimistic all the time isn’t easy. But here’s the great news: positive thinking is a muscle, and you can exercise and develop it each day.
From my own life and career, I’ve discovered that having the right mindset can not only get you through bad times but help you emerge even better. Here are four effective steps to turn your positive thinking around and live a healthier, happier life.
Table of Contents
1. Have Faith That Things Will Work Out
Hope starts with optimism. You don’t have to know how things are going to get better, you just need to have faith that they will.
When I lost my house in the Palisades Fire, it seemed like my world came crashing down. Financial hardships, moving, and beginning again were daunting. But there was one thing that kept me going: hope. I kept telling myself that however bleak the situation, things would somehow sort themselves out.
That hope allowed me to notice surprise blessings moving into our new home made us more centrally located in Los Angeles, and our children are more content with shorter school commutes. When you keep your mind on hope, you create doors to possibilities.
2. Train Your Mind to See the Bright Side
It doesn’t always come naturally to “look on the bright side,” particularly in times of loss. But making daily gratitude a priority can change everything.
Having to lose a home that I had built my family in for 18 years was devastating. But I kept in mind what was really important: the safety of my family. We left unscathed, and that was invaluable.
Gratitude does not take away pain, but it makes you strong. Begin small to appreciate little things, from a roof over your head to laughter. Gratitude turns pain into perspective.
3. Believe in Yourself and Your Strength
Each test you go through has a secret lesson. Don’t ask yourself “Why me?” Ask yourself “Why not me?”.
Life previously drove me to the point of breaking. I was stressed all the time, ignoring my own happiness, and surviving each day. It wasn’t until my health started to suffer that I knew I needed to put self-care first.
I now make time for happiness and peace every day because joy is not only an expectation but a healing agent. Science even proves that being happy releases endorphins that improve overall wellbeing.
So, remind yourself every day: You are a warrior, not a victim. With resilience, you can overcome anything.
4. Accept and Release Negative Emotions
Here’s a truth many people ignore: you don’t have to be positive 24/7. Negative emotions are part of being human.
Rather than digging up sorrow, anger, or frustration, accept them. Vent your emotions, put pen to paper about your thoughts, discuss with a trusted friend, or even meditate. Suppressing emotions just saps your energy, but letting them out allows room for positivity to flow back in.
Keep in mind positivity is not about denying reality, but about tapping into strength in it.
Final Thoughts
Positive thinking isn’t just about smiling through pain, it’s about building hope, resilience, gratitude, and emotional balance. By practicing these four steps daily, you’ll not only face challenges with strength but also create a more fulfilling and joyful life.
Positivity isn’t optional, it’s essential for living a healthier, stronger, and happier tomorrow.
