I’ve been reading a book called “Brain Rules”. Inside it are some absolutely fascinating facts about your brain, how it develops, how it works, and how you can change it.

One of the things that I’ve found out is that you have the power to change areas of your life by how you think (and then do).

You really can improve your life by changing the way you think. If you perceive that your life is in a ditch and you think it’s because of all the negativity, it probably is. There are many ways that you can work to change your thinking process and concentrate on the positive things in life.

Positive Thinking is not mumbo jumbo

Negative thinking can sometimes become an excuse to live in the rut you’ve created for yourself. It creates an atmosphere of “Living Life by Default”. You stay on ‘autopilot’ and the world revolves around you rather than taking you up in its excitement, adventures and challenges. It’s safer to stay in that rut.

The negative thinking can protect you from the outside world so that you don’t have to interact with people, listen to them and even feel anything that’s happening to you. But, when you replace the negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll find that you’re enjoying life much more. Even though there might be ups and downs, it’s preferable from the nothingness you experience by negative thinking.

Tips to improve your thinking process

Here are some tips to improve your thinking process and help you give negative thinking the boot!:

• See challenges as opportunities. Even if you face a challenge and fail, at least you’ve tried and you can pat yourself on the back and feel more positive about yourself. Think of challenges as chances to learn and grow.
• Look forward to the future. Unless you’re looking forward to the future, you’re miserable in the present. The future has so much potential for you to prosper and learn and to have all good things enter your life.
• Don’t expect overnight success. When you’re attempting to change your thinking from negative to positive, it won’t happen overnight. Give yourself some leeway to take some time to succeed. You may have had a lifetime of living with negative thinking. It’s bound to take some time to overcome them.
• Experience and learn new things. Take a class to learn something, take up a sport or engage in a hobby that you’ve always wanted to learn more about. It could be something as simple as taking a cooking class. Just get out and do it.
• Treat yourself. Nothing boosts a mood and helps you change from negative to positive thoughts than a massage, a game of golf, a manicure/pedicure or a new piece of clothing or pair of shoes.

And the #1 tip in my book is

Self Appreciation

Don’t depreciate yourself in front of others. That’s negative thinking about yourself coming out in a voice to others. Have the courage to praise yourself or tout what you’ve done in the past. Help others think of you as a positive person rather than one who’s down on herself.
I am a firm believer that every person is a special creation by God. YOU are to be valued. YOU have value. Sometimes it takes a little self-evaluation to remember the value you DO have!

Hugs and feathers from the nest~~()~~

Kim Steadman is the COOP (Chief Online Operating Person) for The Re-Feathered Nest. A place of encouragement for moms entering the Empty Nest Zone who are ready to RePurpose and ReDesign according to God’s purpose for their lives now that the kids have flown the coop. Kim can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheRefeatheredNest and on Google+ at +Kim.