How do you avoid negative thoughts when life gets tough?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melissa Sutton on December 2, 2008 at 3:49am

Hi Leah,

Two months ago I left my job. I had no savings, my only form of financial support was from the government, which was $200 a week, I could not even afford all the basic essentials in life. I was trying to get a new business venture off the ground, I had spent my last $60 on my bussiness membership and needed to have all faith in it and keep that positive mentality. I did not even have money for advertising so it was very trying initially to find effective free forms of advertising. It was hard to try and stay positive but I focased on the end result that it would provide for me and my 2 year old daughter. The results is what kept me motivated. I'm not saying that it was a breeze, I had some days that I just wanted to give up.
I am now on my way to creating financial prosperity for myself and I am teaching others to the same.

I also have had negative responses from some of my family members, and even though they are family and I love them dearly. I have had to move them out of the equation, at least until they have positive things to say again. Yes they say you can't choose your family but you can choose when you are around them.

I hope this helps a little, knowing that you are not the only one that goes through these times, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Melissa Sutton
www.lifediscovery.com.au

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ariesx on December 2, 2008 at 11:02am

Good advice by Melissa,
When negative thoughts come into our mind when we are facing certain conditions ,it is showing what we don't want in our life.No matter how bad a situation is it deserves no more attention than to warn us how we have been flowing our energy.Also if we let those negative thoughts dominate our thinking,we are not able to see things in a more positive way.which allows us to see a way out,other options that will show up,.....think about some times when you really enjoyed your self to get feeling good.You can do it.:)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by songstar on December 2, 2008 at 11:40am

I do something that has provided me some success in this area. I have learned to create my own pop ups, all be it, sometimes not at the pace I would like, but nonetheless better than before. I have this knowledge that sometimes "bad" things are "good" and at that moment I might not know which it is and I also have the belief that everything happens for a purpose. I have a few experiences, one is that there is a time in which the universe (God) is lining up my requests, there are certain adjustments (--you know, one door closes, another opens); one is that you have to let the universe (God) do "his" job (you have to let go); and the other is that I have a desire to stay in the now (you only have the now). So these are the things I tell myself when things happen that overwhelm me in those moments. Perhaps one day my response will be automatic but I think it has more to do with staying on the path at large.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Leah on December 2, 2008 at 3:05pm

Thanks for all your advice. I try to think that whatever is happening now is supposed to happen, and not to concentrate too much on the negative. And as for nasty people, let them go! It's just that the last 2 years have really taken a toll on me and I spiralled down into negativity to the point where I can't function properly.
I am ready to try again however, and will take all your advice, so thanks again everyone.
Leah

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Clarice on December 2, 2008 at 7:19pm

I think it's a big misconception when it comes to LoA that when things are tough, you have to pretend like everything is OK. By dismissing what is going, you're really fooling youself and more often than not, it gets you to a sorry end.

It's more about taking on a different perspective.

Imagine the person you could be if you didn't let your past experiences, others' opinions, current economic/political situation get in the way? Probably more peaceful, optimistic, etc. Can you see how those issues can cloud your being? Well, in order to change that, you first need to acknowledge that they're there.

There is much more to this than telling yourself positive affirmation, you need to turn those affirmations into beliefs and then take action based on those beliefs. If you pay attention to your internal and external dialogues, you'll notice that there are a lot of thoughts and conversations that suck the energy out of you and those around you. OFtentimes other people do it to you. You are left feeling drained. But as you start to notice them come up, you have the ability to take it inot a different direction, turn it into something postivie or at least a notch better.

It's a bit difficult at first, b/c you're not used to it, but soon it becomes actually really fun. Any problem that comes up you begin to see as an opportunity to use your new skills. Your mind begins to see new routes and solutions. You begin to be what others call "lucky".

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bohemian Flower on December 2, 2008 at 8:03pm

Hi Leah,

I share this challenge of positive thinking/LOA with you. I don't have any words of wisdom or advice like the others here have, but I did want to tell you that I understand your frustration and I'm sorry you're struggling right now...
~Krista

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by alpaca love on December 2, 2008 at 9:02pm

I tell myself that the universe or God loves me and I look at all the wonderful things that have happened to me in the past. I ask myself how did that come about? I know that God or the universe is leading me in a direction. So I concentrate on the good and good happens. Ten years ago I did not know what an alpaca was or that they even existed and now I raise alpacas and feel like I am in heaven. I have always loved animals and the universe sent me in the right direction and at times it did looked pretty dismal but thank God those things happened because now I am doing what I feel is right for me. So trust, trust.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by WES on December 2, 2008 at 10:11pm

Like myself... you probably need a lot of practice to focus on good.

No matter how "terrible", you want to reach for one more bit of gratitude and appreciation.

I don't know if this will work for you, but here is one I do to get my mind off of "stuff"... and I took it from here.

A day of appreciation....

I change my clothes, what I am doing that day, I walk the dog... WHATEVER... and every thing I see, touch, feel, smell, ... I say, "Good ...", "Great...", "Awesome..."... with feeling.

Like this... "Good dog".... "OH, look at that awesome sunset.".... "Wow, look at that beautiful tree!"....

And, no matter how hard it is to feel better, I keep doing it... occupying my brain for hours.... I get online, and I say, "Great technology this computer", as I think about how amazing it is that we have all these things....

Think how cool it is, pun intended, that we have freezers and refridgerators....

Before I know it, something I say to myself reminds me of a song lyric, and I get that stuck in my head all day.

Exercize is the VERY good; especially with music.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christian913 on December 2, 2008 at 10:40pm

Melissa,
I thank you so so much for your post. At times I can relate to Leah in that I was fired from my job in August and am working on some last kinks before I start my own business in January. I have limited funds in the 3rd dimension and there are nights when I do get a bit down but when I see that it's not going to stay this way that I'm going to prosper financially then I start to feel better. Who said "keep your eyes on the prize"? That's a good quote :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lizzers on December 3, 2008 at 12:21am

I don't think you can avoid negativity, but you can deal with it more effectively - so I think working on how you deal with the negative processes is what I've found to be really helpful...

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bora on December 3, 2008 at 10:27pm

Watch a movie!
Man, watch BRAVEHEART. Its so inspiring.

"They may take our lives, but they'll never take our FREEDOM!" William Wallace

Also try,
Last of the Mohicans (Directed by Michael Mann)
Also
A Little Princess (Directed by Alfonso Cuaron)
"Kindle my heart with your heart."

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Leah on December 9, 2008 at 8:55pm

Thanks everybody. I'm surprised at how much negative thinking I do. However these events are real in my life and it's hard to ignore them. I am trying to be more grateful everyday, to be more aware of how I"m thinking and to ask for what I want. I really appreciate everybody's advice, so thank you.

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2