by Maya Spikes

Created on: September 15, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2008

Ever wonder why so many celebrities seem completely miserable while some middle-to-lower class people seem content, or even happy?

Happiness starts with a personal decision. You can't let your surrounding circumstances (good or bad) or even other people (good or bad) determine your happiness.

Staying positive is a decision that should be made and renewed on a regular basis. Here are five ways to stay positive in such a negative world.

SAY THANK YOU

It's often suggested that people should spend a few minutes every day to write down five things that they are grateful to have in their lives. This list can consist of many different things and people. It can include family, friends, a home and/or pets.

No item on this list is too small or too simple. For example, your list can include the "simple" abilities to see or to read. Any time spent on what's good about your life leaves less time to wallow in negativity.

VOLUNTEER

Do you ever feel completely hopeless about the problems in your community or city? Volunteering is a great way to restore a sense of power and purpose to your life while helping others.

BE NICE

All of our words and actions can be used to help others or to hinder others. And today's society seems to glorify rudeness, especially if someone was rude to us first.

But ask yourself this: How often does a rude response to an insult end in a positive way? That almost never happens. Staying positive, even when someone is rude to you, often helps to calm the other person down.

And even if that person continues being rude to you, your calmness only makes the other person look more foolish. And it's very hard to continue an argument or a feud when only one person is involved.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ARE NORMAL

Some people think that staying positive means being, or at least acting, happy no matter what.

Positive people face the same problems that we all deal with. It's been said that it doesn't matter how many times we fall under life's pressures. What matters is how many times we get back up.

Positive people allow themselves time to grieve over any type of loss. And they admit it when the future seems uncertain or even bleak.

Regardless of your beliefs, using the advice given in the popular "Serenity Prayer" can help.

When faced with a problem, positive people start looking for ways to gain the serenity to accept the things they cannot change. Staying positive also means looking for guidance to find the courage to change things when possible. And when you look for advice about a problem, you usually find the wisdom to know the difference between what can and what cannot be changed.

BRING POSITIVE PEOPLE INTO YOUR LIFE

Even if you only know two people, chances are that one person has a more positive outlook than the other. And if everyone around you seems negative, try joining a group that's focused on socializing, an activity or a certain cause. Pursuing a hobby or a cause that's important to you is a great way to gain a positive perspective. And you're more likely to meet positive people in these types of groups.

Staying positive isn't always easy. But to paraphrase an old saying, few things worth having in life are easy. So you might as well try to improve your outlook on life. You can be absolutely positive that you will enjoy the results.

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