A Positive Focus: Accentuate The Positive, Eliminate The Negative

Posted on June 1, 2009 
Filed Under Effective Thinking, It's all about Happiness

If you want to change your life, you aren’t alone. Most people are less than content with at least one part of their lives. Most people would change something about their lives if they could — or if they knew how. The thing all of these people have in common is they know “what they don’t want.” The good news is that your life — and everyone else’s — is continually changing; the bad news is that, if you only focus on the parts of your life you don’t want, you’ll keep getting more of the same.

In 1944, Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen published a song called, “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” that offers age-old wisdom on a subject all great prophets and teachers are in agreement on: The Universe tends to give you what you think about, so don’t waste your time being wishy-washy about your desires; and certainly don’t be foolish enough to dwell on negatives! All religions and philosophies are in agreement on this fundamental observation; though, sadly, very few people actually understand it — and even fewer have the discipline or self-control to put this wisdom into practice.

The chorus of this song goes like this:

“You’ve got to accentuate the positive
 Eliminate the negative
 Latch on to the affirmative
 Don’t mess with Mister In-Between.”

Teachers like Jesus used phrases such as, “As a man thinketh, so it is done unto him,” “Ask and ye shall receive,” and “Fear not; be of good cheer,” to explain how this philosophy works and how to put it into practice. Essentially, if you walk around moping about how bad things are, you aren’t using your mental resources in a way that will bring you great joy. Likewise, if you spend all of your time thinking about the things in life you don’t want, your thoughts are in the wrong place — on the wrong thing. If things are done to you “according to your thoughts,” it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what placing your thoughts on misery, debt, loss, and suffering will bring you. And, regardless of whether these things come immediately or not, you will always feel as if they are upon you; it isn’t possible to be happy while thinking sad thoughts.

Creating a happy life takes some focus and effort — mental focus and effort. You’ve got to train yourself to keep your thoughts positive. It isn’t necessary to say things like, “Oh no; I had plans today and now it’s raining! My day is ruined!” If your thoughts go in this direction, you will feel as if your day really is ruined. Instead of allowing your external circumstances to create inner turmoil and suffering, teach yourself to respond differently: “Well, it’s raining; I suppose the plants and water table need it. Now how can I go about my day? What can I do to carry out my plans for the day; or, what other plans can I make that won’t be affected by the rain?” If you learn to be flexible and let things happen without attaching your emotions to them, you will quickly master the art of being happy always — or at least most of the time. And, after all, what could be better than that?

 

 

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