The Power of Positive Thinking

Sometimes when you are feeling really really down, all sorts of negative thoughts are crushing you under their collective gloom and you know what you are thinking or feeling is wrong (and yet can't escape from the dead weight!), you make a good decision to invite a third party to lend a helping hand to pull you out.
I did that! Did a Google search on 'Positive Thinking' and got a wonderful article!
I am reproducing the same here: Simple because it is so wonderful that I want to keep it with me forever!
Courtesy:Donald Martin (Copyright 1991 Donald Martin, How to be a Successful Student)

Why Think Positively?
All of our feelings, beliefs and knowledge are based on our internal thoughts, both conscious and subconscious. We are in control, whether we know it or
not. We can be positive or negative, enthusiastic or dull, active or passive.

The biggest difference between people is their attitudes. For some, learning is enjoyable and exciting. For others, learning is a drudgery. For many, learning is just okay, something required on the road to a job.

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln

Our present attitudes are habits, built from the feedback of parents, friends, society and self, that form our self-image and our world-image.
These attitudes are maintained by the inner conversations we constantly have with ourselves, both consciously and subconsciously.
The first step in changing our attitudes is to change our inner conversations.

What Should We Be Saying?
One approach is called the three C's: Commitment, Control and Challenge.

Commitment
Make a positive commitment to yourself, to learning, work, family, friends, nature, and other worthwhile causes. Praise yourself and others. Dream of success. Be enthusiastic.

Control
Keep your mind focused on important things. Set goals and priorities for what you think and do. Visualize to practice your actions. Develop a strategy for dealing with problems. Learn to relax. Enjoy successes. Be honest with yourself.

Challenge
Be courageous. Change and improve each day. Do your best and don't look back. See learning and change as opportunities. Try new things. Consider several options. Meet new people. Ask lots of questions. Keep track of your mental and physical health. Be optimistic.

Studies show that people with these characteristics are winners in good times and survivors in hard times. Research shows that,
"... people who begin consciously to modify their inner conversations and assumptions report an almost immediate improvement in their performance. Their energy increases and things seem to go better ..."

Commitment, control and challenge help build self-esteem and promote positive thinking.

So this was it! I read it, thought about it and found that every thing was true! And I decided that I will be positive and never let negative thoughts haunt me again! Thank you Mr. Martin!