Published on March 22, 2017

Power of Positive Thinking

power of positive thinking

It can be challenging to maintain a positive attitude, especially when things aren’t going your way. Positive thinking means looking on the bright side even when there doesn’t seem to be one. It is also hard work! However, while it might be easier to indulge in negative thoughts than to find the silver lining, this thinking pattern is damaging to your self-esteem and mental health.

Some inspiration to help you make the most of a bad situation…

  • “Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.” You cannot change the past, but you can still create beauty and purpose from your mistakes.
  • “What we think, we become.” If we harp on our negative thoughts, we may become a negative person who has trouble finding the joy in life. Conversely, if we try to see the good in the world we become part of the good in the world.
  • “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain.” With a change of perspective, some seemingly-negative situations are an opportunity to be creative. Move in a direction that you may not have previously considered and you may be pleased with the results.

Still can’t shake those negative thoughts? The problem may run deeper than just your attitude. Test your mood: Take a free, quick and anonymous mental health online screening.

dave miers

About Dr. Dave Miers

Dave Miers, PhD, is senior director of behavioral health services at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

He helped establish the Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition in 1999 and chaired/co-chaired this Coalition until 2017. Dr. Miers is a member of the leadership group for the Lincoln/Lancaster County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Dr. Miers has published research and co-authored a chapter in the Routledge International Handbook of Clinical Suicide Research focusing on family survivors of a child suicide. Dr. Miers helped develop the Lincoln Lancaster Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) team in Lincoln, Neb. He also helped develop other LOSS teams in Nebraska and is active with LOSS team development on a national level.