by Allison Hickman

Created on: June 06, 2008   Last Updated: June 12, 2008

"Today, I will be the best that I can be". If you truly feel this way and practice and live it, you can be on your way to a better you. Start each day with a similar, positive statement. Think about it while taking your shower, drinking your morning coffee, and randomly through out the day. You have to believe that you can become a better person in order to accomplish this goal.

Accepting who you are is a big factor. How can you favor others when you have negative feelings toward yourself? Look deep down and ask yourself what would make you happy. Explore things that you have always wanted to do and fulfill some of those wishes. There is great satisfaction in trying something that you have always wanted to do and discover that you are good at it. Seek out the people in your life that you may have some unresolved issues with and explore ways to mend those relationships. This can bring an underlying burden to rest and a boost of confidence because you took the initiative to right a wrong.

Assisting others and being able to witness the outcome is priceless. Random acts of kindness, such as helping someone who has dropped a bag of groceries in the parking lot, will give you more gratification than it would the patron you helped. Another way to fulfill your goal of a more positive attitude is to get actively involved in a charity or volunteer program. Become a reader at a local children's hospital once a month (or more). The children not only enjoy being read to, but you will be someone that represents recreation and fun to them; not a reminder of why they are in the hospital.

Associate yourself with positive people. They are prone to be more motivated and share the same goals that you are trying to achieve; stay positive and don't dwell on negativism. Positive people do not complain and dwell on their downfalls. They focus on their better qualities. They can teach you, through example, not to judge others and are capable of giving you a glace of a giving life through their eyes.

I personally make a conscience effort to meet a stranger's eyes, smile say, "hello". I find it interesting that it startles some into silence as if no one has ever greeted them before. Carrying out these two very small gestures not only reinforces positive feelings for me, but I hope that it is contagious and passed on by all those I have shared it with.

The next time you happen to catch someone's eye, simply smile and see what happens. Nine times out of ten, they will return the gesture and notably seem grateful. There is nothing lost when sharing a positive attitude, but getting lost in a negative way will surely bring failure.

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