Hmmmmm. I'd like to try that. I just find positive thoughts elusive at the moment. The negative ones are too strong. If I try really hard to find a positive one, do you think that might be all the distraction I need?

I think that's very insightful and makes perfect sense.

This is a good exercise. I try to stay away from sex though, LOL too much frustration. But my therapist and I talked about this especially at bedtime. It try to think about some of the beautiful places I have visited. I believe that we really do forget how much power with have with our thoughts. I am trying to control mine more. My counselor also recommended saying stop in my brain when those thoughts that are negative come in. I even yell it sometimes in my mind. It really does help. But hey I am crazy. LOL

I totally agree. I do that all of the time (is it the Pisces in me?). I think of it as visualizing where I want to be in the future (whether it is being in a new relationship, traveling somewhere, trying something new). If you subscribe to the theory that the universe will grant you that which you put out there (The Secret)- then this is a great approach to ensuring that you are putting out there is something you actually want. Great post Rman- thanks!

I want to infuse my brain with positive thoughts between now asn Friday morning, which is when I am going on my first mini-vacation since the divorce started in August 2007 (it's huge that i am doing this) -- I need to really get myself prepared mentally for this, I will be traveling alone with my dog. Any ideas are welcome, need some support in taking with me some good ideas on how to stay really positive!!! I am going to the the redwood forest and then to the beach.

Yes.. you're making sense but I'd like to hear about the actual "thought" can you go into detail?

I'm kidding... I guess... It's true. Negative things are like cancer. If you surround yourself with negative thoughts, that's what you will become. Joel put it like this... Your brain plays you movies. Movies that run all the time. You need to learn what part of the movies are "actual" facts VS those that are just false. Once you learn to differiciat those thoughts you will be in a better place. (YEs, I spelt that word wrong, but in my mind it was done right).

Positive thinking is the best way, that I found, to get in a better place. It takes awhile but it happens.

Think about what you like to do the most. I play the drums. It's hard to play right now, but if I look at a catalog that has drums and cymbals, I'll get a positive thought. The thought would be that I wanted to buy them, so I could hear how they sounded. If this positive thought about drums lasts, for even a half a second, then I will try to embrace it for as long as possible. It's about thinking positive thoughts.

It's funny: I was just thinking about this an hour ago. I was seeing myself go into a lot of my anxious thought patterns about the future. I can quickly get myself into a state of total overpowering worry and even despair. I consciously tried to substitute affirmations, such as, instead of worrying about where I will live, I made myself say, "I'm going to love my new home," "I'm going to really like my new home which will feel nurturing and secure." I did a bunch of these affirmations, even though it could have felt idiotic. It was during a meditation, and I felt my general emotional state get much more relaxed and I even started to smile. It did help. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I do feel that it is a better approach than going down the downward spiral of worry and fear, which also is from my imagination. If I'm going to use my imagination, I might as well use it to encourage myself.

I challenge my imagination. It's all in the mind.

Well I'm a true believe - positive people bring positive energy to them. It really is true, if you feel down and bad about yourself, that's the kind of energy that will surround and attract.

I'm a HUGE believer in this, as I used to be negative person, without even knowing it. I believe I'm very positive now, but that took a long time.

Good Post!

There was some sort of study done a few years ago...

2 groups were chosen - 1 had to imagine themselves playing basketball... at least an hour a day they were to imagine themselves getting better and better. This went on for a period of time (I don't know how long)

Group 2 had to actually go out there and practice and try and get better by actually playing basketball.

Neither group knew how to play before this started.

Anyways at the end of the study the group that imagined it and thought positively about it and did it in their minds first... were better without even dribbling a ball first!!

I agree wholeheartedly with you Rman... positivity is the best. I'm a very positive person and I like it that way.

I hope your positive thoughts help you in a huge way!!!!

HUGS

Being positive is a choice, and it can literally change your life. It has mine. It does take practice when you first start, as the ego is powerful, and always wants attention, but when you master living in the moment, and in a positive state, there is such a feeling of complete peace and contentment. The method that you speak of is "guided Imagery" It is quite useful in so many areas. I used to use it to practice piano, when I was at the academy and beyond. When I was away from the piano, I would play it in my head, and when I would actually go to play the piece, it was as if I had spent hours practicing.
It is a very good technique for taking your mind away for a few minutes each day to rest it also. I used to imagine I was at the beach, sitting on a chair, feeling the warmth of the sun, the spray of the water on my face, and the sounds, One can get soooo good at these exercises of the mind, that you can almost smell and hear the ocean.
Thank you for a great post. I am all for anything that makes us feel good,. and this idea definitely will:-) Hugs, Kimmee

ps I like the name change!

Good stuff, Rman!