Tuesday, August 3, 2010

What Do You Think About?

“It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”
~ Dale Carnegie



Take a moment and think about that. I'll wait.

Got it? Good. There are people in this world enduring truly miserable circumstances, yet they are happy. There are people leading lives of extreme privilege, yet they are truly miserable. Why? Because of what they think about. Positivity is a powerful thing, folks.

The ability to hope and to plan for the future stems from positive thought - a belief in possibility. That is why depression is such a dangerous beast. It robs us of the ability to hope, the desire to plan, the belief in possibilities.

Be positive. Think about good things and hope and plan for the possibilities that await you. For there lies the secret of happiness.

My happy thoughts can always be found by reciting Wordsworth's, "I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud": "...and then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils."

What thoughts bring you happiness?

33 comments:

Diane said...

It's all perspective and where our focus is. Good reflection. :O)

Christina Lee said...

I SOOO love this, becasue it's very true!

Theresa Milstein said...

The Paradox of Choice states Americans are unhappy on the happy scale. He asserts we have too many choices. The moral? Be happy with what you have, not with all the other stuff.

I always fight against unhappiness, reminding myself how lucky I am.

Laughing with my family makes me happy.

Terri Tiffany said...

I like to think about what God has done for me in the past when I'm having a darker kind of day and knowing that there is always something good to smile about.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Hoping and planing for the future--which could simply be the next moment--does come from positive thoughts. For me, reflecting on where I've been and how far I've come conjures a positive attitude.

Unknown said...

Spending time with my husband, reading and writing.

Sometimes we forget what matters most. Sometimes not all aspects of our lives are nice, which means we must focus on those that are!!!

Great post!

Hannah said...

Booksies, reading and writing them. The Man. My family (most of the time).

Kelly Lyman said...

Great post and so true! What makes me happy...Jesus, my kids (especially when they are obeying and not at each other), girl friends, thinking of fun times with my family/friends, writing, reading, movies!

Natasha said...

The quote, unfortunately or fortunately, is so true. Unfortunate because we can't be happy with who we are and what we have, fortunate, because our happiness is in our hands.

What makes me happy. Consciously emptying my brain of thoughts (negative and positive), and allowing the things that really matter to sink in. By the time I am done with kids, family, friends, books, I don't really need much more.

Aubrie said...

This is a great post! Sometimes I struggle to see the positive in things.

Tales of Whimsy said...

I honestly, can not agree more :)

Unknown said...

It is so important to think positively and to see the advances we make as individuals.

Laura S. said...

Wonderful quote! It really is true that your thoughts dictate how you'll feel in almost any given situation. At least for me anyway!

Thinking about my husband and family and nieces and nephews makes me happy! Thinking about my favorite books and the books I'll write and the beach and chocolate make me happy! Thinking about my snug apartment with kitchen cabinets and fridge filled with good food makes me happy!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Joy comes from creating and building relationships. You can do that no matter where you are and how much money you have. Go, Create, Live!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm always amazed and impressed by the kids I teach who come from incredibly difficult circumstances, but who cope with grace and joy. They're beautiful.

Heather said...

What an incredibly wise post. No matter where our bodies are or what state they're in, our minds are free. I'm an optimist so the bright side is usually all I see. Each day is a gift and there is always someone who has it worse than me. That knowledge constantly keeps me positive.

I can use some of this for character development, thanks!

Tere Kirkland said...

I've always believed in the power of positive thinking, which usually helps get me out of the writing funks I occasionally find myself in. Or it could just be that I get distracted easily, and am easily cheered up by the "little things": sunsets, pretty dragonflies, a nice iced chai...

Thanks for the great quote, Shannon!

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

Wonderful post! Made my day. I'm going to be positive...maybe...I hope. ;)

Candyland said...

I absolutely agree. That's why I support such organizations as TWLOHA. It's unfortunate happiness isn't something everyone experiences easily, myself included at times. I've found that doing something for someone else brings the most genuine form of happiness.

Stephanie Thornton said...

I focus on all the wonderful gifts I've been given in this life- my health, husband, daughter, home. I'm a lucky gal!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

You are the best motivator! That quote is a perfect way to approach life. We can't control a lot of things, but we can control how we react and think.

Patti Lacy said...

What the Lord Jesus Christ did for me!

How, with just a moment or two with Him, transformation from melancholy to joy occurs.

Such is the power of the Holy Spirit!

blessings,
Shannon

Helen Ginger said...

Thank you Shannon. This post was written for me at this time.

Helen

Shelley Sly said...

You make a great point! Thanks for this inspirational post! Thinking positively is definitely worth it! :)

Bossy Betty said...

I have so much to be grateful for and I try to keep that in the forefront of my mind. Thanks for this post!

Tabitha Bird said...

Happiness is sometimes difficult to hold. But I agree we have the power of our minds and hearts to help us stay focused on what really matters.

Rosslyn Elliott said...

True. I think my good friend's reminder to think positively had a great deal to do with my very good experience of my first editorial phone call. We can prepare for problems if necessary, but always hope for the best.

Roxane B. Salonen said...

Shannon, I credit my mother with giving me an optimistic disposition. She was always looking for the good, searching for hope. Even in tough times, I continue to do that. Some days are harder than others, but your thoughts and the quote...a lovely way to begin. Keeping a gratitude journal also has helped me in times of great difficulty. Thanks for the uplifting thoughts!

Candice said...

We must be on the same wave length right now because I almost bought a Dale Carnegie book at B&N yesterday and I'm currently reading the same Ranger's Apprentice as you are!

Kristi said...

Optimism always brings me happiness! Why dwell on the bad when you are surrounded by so much beauty and good? Life is all about perspective!

AND when I'm struggling, one look at my toddler reminds me of the glee I should have each and every day!

Liz @ Cleverly Inked said...

Inspiring. Appreciation of life and happiness has seemed to elude many.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Thank you for your positivity!
I've been working at that with my 365 Days of Blessings project at my blog.

As for the main positivity thoughts: knowing God loves me, and having a wonderful family and friends, writing and books are good too.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Since I've been tracking my blessings for a few months now, I've noticed more and more positivity going around. I think I'm just paying more attention, finally, to the good stuff.
If you don't mind, I'm going to be posting a link to this blog post on my blog tomorrow morning.
http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/

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