This is a guest post by Jeniffer Karas. Jeniffer writes for www.thethirtydayyear.com, a site that documents many Thirty Day Trials with a goal of self improvement. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her family.

“I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.”-Winston Churchill

Are you a positive person?

Do you see light at the end of every tunnel, see the glass as always half full, and look to tomorrow with hope and optimism?

If so, you are among those who live longer, more productive lives, have lower risk of certain diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s, and are likely to enjoy the company of others, attracted by your sunny side and smile.

If not, you can cultivate this tendency. It just takes a little work, some thought, self-monitoring, and practice.

And the practice, my friends, is actually fun!

Ready to begin bringing out your sunny side?

Cultivate An Attitude of Gratitude

One of the more prominent features of the perpetually positive, other than the huge grin on their face, is their ability to see and be grateful for what they have in their lives.

They are aware of sunrises, sunsets, breathing, even, as miracles and gifts, and see everyday things as treasures to cherish.

One good way to develop this same grateful attitude, is through keeping a journal of all that you have to be grateful for.

Write down in a notebook, a moleskin, or whatever kind of book happens to appeal to you, at least five things which you are grateful for, every single day.

No cheating–no sitting back and listing the first five things that pop into your mind.

Really consider all that you have, feel the power of the gratitude within, then write about it.

For me, keeping a gratitude journal was my first, and most beneficial, step in turning my attitude around.

It didn’t so much change my life, as it changed the way I looked upon it.

And that was priceless.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Many people spend much of their time and energy focused on things that have not happened yet, worrying that something might occur.

Maybe I’ll gain five pounds.

Perhaps that new outfit will make me look fat.

I may lose my job.

My spouse might fool around on me.

Note that in the above examples, nothing has actually taken place–it’s just the monkey mind playing the same song over and over again.

It’s the song that says you’re not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, etc, and for some reason it is the tune that plays most often in many people’s heads.

Take the time to listen to your thoughts, to really pay attention to them, especially at times like this. Notice whether or not the thought has merit–is the thought based on something which is really going on, in which case it requires some action, or is it your own insecurities and F.E.A.R.-False Expectations Appearing Real?

If it’s all in your head, then you need to take the time to talk back to those thoughts–I am smart enough, attractive enough; my spouse loves me, etc.

Then carry on living, and if those thoughts recur, talk back to them again.

In time, the more positive thoughts will become automatic. As well, like a muscle, they grow more powerful with each use.

Practice positive thoughts, positive self talk, positive focus.

Squash those self doubts until they are so small you don’t hear them anymore. If ignored long enough, and repeatedly proven wrong by the results of your actions, they will go away.

One thing positive people know for certain is that focusing on positives naturally makes us notice other positives.

Practice Positive Actions

As well as being aware of your attitude toward your self, your life, and your future; beyond forcing your attention to focus on the positive, there comes the time to act.

That monkey mind may chime up again, telling you you cannot, you are not good enough, etc.

One good way to bolster your confidence in your abilities is to write out what you have already accomplished.

Write everything you have ever accomplished down, from learning how to talk, to learning how to walk, ride a bike, skate, print, write, read–write down every single thing you have ever accomplished in your life.

Allow yourself plenty of time to do this, because there will be lots that you have done.

Until we see evidence in writing, many of us give little thought to how much we actually have done.

Once you are finished your list, read it over, and keep it where you can read it again when self-doubt starts to creep in.

This exercise reaffirms for you that you are capable of doing things, that for everything you have done in your life, there was a first time, a time of awkwardness and learning.

There was always that opportunity to grow.

Start Your Day In A Positive Way

As you get ready to get out of bed in the morning, greet the first person you see (even if it is just yourself in a mirror) with a cheerful “Good morning!”.

Then focus on what a great day you have ahead of you.

Picture how great you will feel when you have accomplished all that you want to achieve that day, even if that is just going away on a holiday. Feel that accomplishment, take the time to clearly view your day in your mind.

You’ll be jazzed up for it, eager and ready to bring the day on.

The (Feeling) Good Samaritan

Helping others helps you.

It increases your connection to the world, makes you feel better about yourself, more useful, and grateful for the chance to serve.

Open doors for others when their arms are full, hold elevator doors open for those who may be slower getting into them than you are, smile, really SMILE at people, even just wishing them a heart-felt “Good day!” and watch that sunny disposition light up the day for those who cross your path.

Try it! You’d be amazed how much good it does you, to be doing good for others.

Photo by Alexander Rist.

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