by Kay Bee

Created on: March 14, 2010   Last Updated: April 27, 2012

Remaining positive isn't easy in a negative environment. Pick up a newspaper or turn on the television and you will be bombarded with shocking images and news stories. Positive stories (if there are any), are left until the end of the show or tucked away at the back of the paper. Advertisements everywhere are urging us to buy items we can't afford, to lose more weight, to live life at 100 miles an hour while still keeping it all together. They would have us believe that being ourselves and accepting ourselves the way we are, is not good enough.

Why do we take notice and keep feeding these negative thoughts? It's because that's the way our minds have been trained and it's easier to slip back into those bad habits than it is to start making new, healthier ones. Try some of these tips, they really work. 

Surround yourself with positive people 

Surrounding yourself with positive people creates a positive environment. Do you have a friend who is miserable and never has a good word to say about anyone? You could be in a fantastic mood, spend five minutes with your friend, and then feel totally depressed. Spend time with people who make you feel good instead.

Read inspirational books

Inspirational books can really give you a boost when you're feeling low. Why not ditch the newspaper for a few days and check out a library book instead? One of my favorite books is - Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It's packed with inspirational quotes and has a fun exercise for every day of the year. I dip into it when I need some guidance.

Keep a gratitude journal 

This is something I love to do. Each night, before bed, I write down at least 5 things I am grateful for. Some days my list will be full of amazing things and other days, I'll write down the basics...having a bed to sleep in, etc. 

It's a wonderful habit to start. You will become more aware of your surroundings, focusing your mind on the positives thoughts, rather than dwelling on the negative. You will be more 'in the moment'.

There will always be negative aspects of life which have to be dealt with, but being in a positive frame of mind makes moving forward much easier. How do you deal with the negativity and stay positive? You have to work at it every day, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Focusing on the positive or the negative is a choice only you can make.

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