The to Positive Thinking by Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D.


Positive thinking is a discipline that trains the human mind to change a perceived reality by repeatedly making positive mental statements. A person practices positive thinking when they derive a positive sense of well being, optimism, belonging, meaning and/or purpose from being part of and contributing back to something larger and more permanent than themselves. Positive thinking is a process of choosing positive emotions from stimuli in the environment and applying them to perceptions and beliefs. The objective is to create an outlook that translates into a new or better chosen reality.


Positive Mental Attitudes


A positive mental attitude is the belief that one can increase achievement through optimistic


thought processes. A positive attitude comes from observa- tional learning in the environment and is partially achieved when a vision of good natured change in the mind is applied toward people, circumstances, events, or behaviors (Wikipedia). Since it is difficult to quantify (measure) the effects of a positive mental attitude, it can be considered a philosophy and a way to approach life.


The Secret to Positive Thinking


Creating reality by how one chooses to think about life, health, relationships, and finances was the subject of the hit movie “The Secret.” Current self-help gurus discussed the Law of Attraction and other principles congruent with positive thinking. Building a positive mindset that


October/November 2012


attracted better circumstances in one’s life involved: (1) alignment to a clear vision of what is de- sired, (2) an attitude of thankful- ness, (3) having positive emo- tions associated with the desire, and (4) releasing that desire to a greater power.


The experts in “The Secret” emphasized an individual’s re- sponsibility to create and institute positive mental programming and present moment awareness to re- lease emotional drivers that cloud a person’s ability to have a pro- ductive life. Regret, shame, and blame and a negative outlook on life focused on past circumstanc- es can also be fundamental cause of physical disease in adults. Similarly, physical healing can be obtained creating a self-made vi- sion. Demonstrating a healthy life with positive outcomes involves


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