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Our thoughts affect our own lives, the lives of those ■'
around us and our environment ... embrace the potential'

 positive mindset, understand why a foundation of



gratitude is crucial, and believe in the power of love.

WE HAVE ALL HEARD the benefits of eating healthy food, exercising, practicing yoga and meditating, but what is equally (if not more) important, is how you use your mind. Throughout history, many great teachers, researchers and philosophers agree on the power and importance of developing a positive, loving thought life. Earl Nightingale said, “You become what you think about most of the time.” Buddha said,

“ What we think, we become.” The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Marcus Aurelius stated, “A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.”

Our thoughts not only affect our personal lives but, according to a number of studies, our thoughts affect those around us and our environment. Dr. Schilz’s research indicates that loving thoughts from one person towards another affects the blood flow of the person receiving the loving thoughts. Dr. Marsaru Emoto’s decade of tests reveal a significant difference between how positive, loving thoughts verses negative thoughts affect the crystalline structures of water. The bottom line is that our minds are very powerful and how we use them affects the outcome of our lives, and the lives and environment around us. The good news is learning to use your mind as a positive transmitter is a simple process that can produce big results.

Over time, with regular practice, it can become your natural way of thinking.

Loving positive thoughts towards self

Since having a positive thought life is so important, what do you think about most of the time? Are your thoughts loving, understanding, accepting and forgiving toward yourself? What do you think about your circumstances and your future? According to the Law of Attraction, like attracts like. If you
harbour on negativity, you will get more negativity in you life, whereas if you focus on what is positive, you will receive back positivity. Although we cannot control everything that happens, adopting a positive, nothing is impossible mindset is what shifts you from pessimism to optimism, stagnancy to action and failure to success.

Here are some ways to set your mind and keep it set on what is positive, loving and good, which will in turn give you positive, loving, successful experiences in your life.

Make a list of the things you are thankful for in your life

This is a great way to appreciate the wonderful things that have already happened and are happening to you right now. In order to receive new positive experiences, you must first learn the art of appreciating what you already have. “If the only prayer you said inyour whole life was ‘thank you’, that would suffice.” - Meister Eckhart. Gratitude is the foundation of optimistic thinking yet we often overlook the blessings each day brings.

Start each morning with a positive affirmation or mantra

Such as “something good is going to happen to me today” or “I’m living an abundant life full of experiences and opportunities greater than what I ask, imagine or think”. Not only speak it, believe it! Believing and being positive is not wishful thinking, it’s a conscious shift in perspective.

See what can be done, not just what is

Ask yourself, if there were no obstacles in your way, what would you want your life to look like? Create a list of all the
experiences, goals and opportunities you would like to bring into your life without judgement or doubt. Think big and write from the heart! From this list, pick the item that you are the most passionate about and would like to see happen in the next six months. Visualise it coming true every single day. Don’t get caught up in how it will happen, simply allow yourself to believe. As Napoleon Hill said, “Setyour mind on a definite goal and observe how quickly the world stands aside to let you pass. Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve.”

In an ideal world, plan out what you want to see manifest

In one-two years, three-five years, and ten years ... in every area of your life. There is power in writing down your vision and keeping it in front of you. Again, think big! Replace limiting words within your vision. For example, replace the word enough with words like plenty or abundance. According to The Magic of Thinking Big, how big we think determines the size of our accomplishments.

Take note of your influential environment

What television shows and movies do you watch? What music or radio shows do you listen to? Who do you hang around with? Author Jim Rohn states, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” The external influences you surround yourself with affects your thinking which in turn affects your life. Choose, positive, uplifting media, publications and friends!

Loving positive thoughts toward others

When you think about your friends, family, spouse, co-workers, neighbours, boss, homeless people, spiritual leader, politicians, and others, what comes to mind? Are your thoughts loving, compassionate and understanding, or
Laura Burkhart
april 2017 yogajournal.com.au hateful, jealous, judgmental or competitive? As I mentioned, our thoughts towards others affect them, which in turn affects us. Work toward thinking loving, kind, and positive thoughts toward others, no matter whom that person is. “Where there is love, there is life,” said Mahatma Gandhi.

Remember that no matter how easy or hard it is to get along with someone, we are all created equal. For the most part, we are all doing the best we can based on the information we have from our personal experiences and background. This doesn’t mean you need to agree with everyone or allow injustice to go unquestioned. It means that no matter how great the differences are in opinions or character, you are able to see through these external circumstances and appreciate the humanity within them.

Practice compassion and empathy. Listen to and appreciate the viewpoints of others, try to understand their passions, experiences and the aspects
that make them similar and different from you. Look for ways you can help others, recognise their gifts, encourage them, believe in them and help them believe in themselves. The last thing we need in this world is cruelty and competition among our peers, fellow students, teachers or co-workers.

Last but not least, think loving, positive thoughts toward our environment and other animals living in this world. They, too, deserve a positive, loving, life-giving experience and happy existence. Think about what you can do on a bigger level to help make this world and all those who inhabit have the best experience and life possible. Let the optimism, love and compassion you cultivate within yourself overflow and extend to every being on earth. Practice thinking loving, positive thoughts on a regular basis and watch your life transform in ways you never thought possible. The possibilities are endless; all you need to do is take the first step in believing all things are