The beginning. . .

What better way to start something than from the beginning?

I am relatively new at this (Living Positive) but have decided that CHOOSING to live POSITIVELY opens new doors and generally makes life and certain situations a little easier to swallow.

People who have known me for awhile, may find this change a little hard to believe since I have always tended to be a little on the 'dark and vicious side'. :^P

OLD THINKING: I don't need anger management. . .you just need to quit pissing me off!

Its easy to blame others for your problems or attitude but that is all it is. . .just blame. . . Nothing changes unless you look to the source of the problem and sometimes its just you or mostly your attitude.

I have recently became a very strong believer in daily positive affirmations (positive thinking and self talk) and feel compelled to share some things with people, hence the beginning of this blog. My goal is to help people live more positively and as a direct result, more happily. I am in no way perfect or constantly up-beat and positive but I have had some amazing results with this simple change.

For the last month or so, I have kept a daily affirmation journal and set goals for myself usually starting with the words "Just for Today". If you look at something in the short term sensense of just doing something 'just for today', then it doesn't seem so daunting.

Think of it this way. . . If you said "For the rest of my life, I will only say positive things about myself" that sounds like an almost impossible goal. The key is to set smaller and more obtainable goals. . . . who can't do something for 24hours? And after those 24 hours?? Set another goal and do it for 24 more, of course :D

How wonderful do you feel when you have a sense of accomplishment? If you don't meet your goal though?? There is always tomorrow to give it another go. . .

Another little 'trick' I have put to good use is positive affirmations. I keep a journal of these as well and jaught down 5-10 positive statements about myself every day or when I catch myself thinking negatively. I have heard that you are suppose to say them out loud or while looking in a mirror but I felt silly (at first) and found that journalling is just as effective when you are starting out. ( I felt like Stuart Smalley on SNL when I would say things out loud. :D " I am good enough. I am smart enough. And dog-gone-it, people like me.")

I truly believe that anyone can benefit from CHOOSING to live POSITIVELY and using daily affirmations to boost their self esteem. Positive actions and positive thinking tends to have positive consequences and hopefully I can inspire who ever reads this blog to make the small change within themselves to live a more positive life.