How do you avoid negative thoughts when life gets tough?

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Permalink Reply by Raindrop on December 9, 2008 at 9:01pm

When I get to feeling kind of down, as I am now, I forget something that really made an impact on me, but I remembered it while reading through here. If you take what you're thinking at any given minute, and realize that the thought or feeling is attracting more of the same feeling, is it a feeling you would want to continue having? Suppose the thought you're having right now determined how you would feel the rest of your life - you could probably change it, couldn't you? It may be by steps, but if you look at it that way, it may help you to find something to feel better about.

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Permalink Reply by Believe04 on December 9, 2008 at 9:31pm

What a great post. It's so hard for me to stay positive as well...some great advice here. I just try to focus on my blessings...and all that IS good. I go for a run...and say "Thank you" for the ability to run...be outside and smell/breath the air.
I'll sip my coffee...and say "Thank you...for this warm yummy coffee"...
These little things help me stay focused all day...I do fall off the wagon at times. Thanks for all the great advice everyone !

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Permalink Reply by victoria on December 9, 2008 at 9:33pm

Hello Leah,
Being in a situation where money is scarce, takes away all the positivity that one can have when everything is sweet.
The best way to deal with all the negative thoughts, is to FORCE yourself TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT.
Start with your breathing, play with it : inhale-exhale. see how long you can hold your breath and so forth.
It will keep your mind of the situation you are in right now even if it's only for a short time.
But that's a start. And when your mind is peaceful, you might then be more receptive to solutions that pop in.
Try it because it wworks.
All the best
Blessings

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Permalink Reply by Raindrop on December 9, 2008 at 10:10pm

Leah,
Two years ago, I was living with my boyfriend, because I had been laid off and without work for about 1-1/2 years. Then, he had a heart attack and passed away. I live in a part of the country that nearly all of the manufacturing has gone to China and Mexico - jobs are SCARCE. I hadn't worked for 12 years, while I was married, and knew nothing but office/secretarial work. With few jobs and lots of unemployment, the jobs I used to so easily obtain were going to people with college degrees - the jobs they had hopes for just didn't exist here at all.
I still can't say how it happened, but I managed to pay rent, make a car payment, pay utilities (not always on time) for 4 months on my own, with no income - not even unemployment. After I learned about LOA, I realized that I had to rid myself of the thoughts that were waking me up at night in fear. I started simply - just trying to remain positive as best I could - no special visualizations, affirmations or trying to manifest - I didn't even know about that stuff. I just smiled in my heart whenever I thought of it - and as I was learning, I thought of it a lot. Within just a few weeks, I had a full time job that paid well, and that I enjoyed doing. Life hasn't been luxurious, but I feel that it can be, if I keep learning. I just bought a little house (a miracle!).
As far as hurtful family, I learned long ago that 1) if someone wants to hurt you, THEY are the one with the problem, not you and 2) anyone who will do that to you is NOT worth your worries. Put it away from you and find something good to think about. Don't waste your time on negative thoughts or negative people.
Things will work out - I STILL don't know the "how" with me, but it's happening.

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Permalink Reply by Arrelle on December 17, 2008 at 11:56am

"As far as hurtful family, I learned long ago that 1) if someone wants to hurt you, THEY are the one with the problem, not you and 2) anyone who will do that to you is NOT worth your worries. Put it away from you and find something good to think about. Don't waste your time on negative thoughts or negative people."
Things will work out - I STILL don't know the "how" with me, but it's happening".

OMG that is something I will work on doing. You've made a very valid point. When people don't feel good about themselves they will try and knock the next person down to their level if that person allow it. I've been on both sides of the coin. Luv your point!!!

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Permalink Reply by Melba T. Farrell on December 9, 2008 at 11:11pm

Today I drove for 5 hours from Gainesville to Miami, half of the time, I listened to music and the other half, I repeated an affirmation which kept my mind from wondering and/or worrying about anything else. To some, doing affirmations may seem boring, but if you do them long enough and often enough, they become reality. This was my affirmation. "People accept me, people love me, people adore me, I am irresistible, people enjoy my company, people act upon my wishes, people enjoy my speeches, people invest in my ideas, I am irresistible, I am master, people respect me." LoveForLifeAlways, Melba

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Permalink Reply by frog on December 10, 2008 at 12:33am

trust me i am in the same boat as u...and the only answer i have for u is a simple one but not easy.....notice ur focus...as soon as u notice yourself going to that lack place switch ur focus in an instant to something more pleasant...as lynn grabborn says of excuse me your life is waiting " you don't have to change it, you just have to stop focusing on it."

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Permalink Reply by Leah on December 16, 2008 at 1:36pm

Hello,
I thought I'd just share a short story with you. After joining this group and attempting to learn the LOA I started a post about negative thinking during hard times. (financially and emotionally) Needless to say as a single income family we were looking forward to a rather low-key Christmas.
Last week I printed out a fake $50 and stuck it to the fridge, I tried to imagine actually getting a $50 note, and how that would feel. About two days later my partner came home with $65 dollars from the soccer club, I wasn't convinced this was evidence I'd attracted money so I wrote down what I wanted. On Mondays I do our banking online, and have started to hate this as it always reminds me of our rather dire financial situation. This Monday I checked our bank and saw an unexplained $3500 deposit, from the Tax Department. I could hardly believe it just over a week before Christmas! We had not had any letter, nor been advised we would be receiving a tax refund. I am thanking my lucky stars as it has changed our family Christmas!
Then last night as I parked outside a local small business event I was invited to, (the entry fee was $10) I found a crisp $10 note on the footpath....further evidence that you can think positively and attract luck? I feel like there's magic in the air..and I also feel incredibly lucky!
Thanks for all your advice everyone, hope you enjoyed this.
Leah.

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Permalink Reply by Awesome on December 16, 2008 at 1:43pm

When you think positive you attract love and open the doors to EVERYTHING.....Nothing to do with luck - as you are saying it just happened on a whim - this is no whim, THIS IS REAL!

Happy Holidays

Awesome

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