How To Own A Positive Mental Attitude ..
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“Winning is a habit. Watch your thoughts, they become your beliefs. Watch your beliefs, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character.”
~Vince Lombardi
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don’t do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
~Vince Lombardi
“Confidence is contagious and so is lack of confidence, and people will recognize both."
~Vince Lombardi
“If you don’t think you’re a winner, you don’t belong here.”
~Vince Lombardi
"Positive mental attitude is a psychological term which describes a mental phenomenon in which one can increase achievement through optimistic thought processes. PMA implies that one has a vision of good natured change in one's mind; it employs a state of mind that continues to seek, find and execute ways to win, or find a desirable outcome, regardless of the circumstances. It rejects negativity, defeatism and hopelessness."
~Dr. James Nopantzman (PhD of Stuff)
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A lot of folks talk about having a positive mental attitude. I have one. It's the real deal, and I've proudly owned it for about as long as I can remember. Before I get rolling, let me admit something. There are four types of people that I just can not and will not allow myself to be around, whiners, complainers, liars, and negative thinkers. They'll drive me out of the room faster than a wet fart. I'm getting ahead of my self. Sorry, I do that. No one is born with a positive mental attitude. It's a choice that you make at some point in your life. Don't let anyone fool you about this. It has little or nothing to do with genetics. This genetic thing is dangerous. I offers a convienent excuse for people to fail, It also deminishes the value of what a person can or has accomplished through hard work. I'm convinced of this. Okay, back to the atitude story .. The people around you can influence your attitude, but that influence doesn't create a positive or negative attitude, it just opens the door for them. You create the attitude. Why doesn't everyone choose this positive attitude thing? I mean, going through life with a negative attitude can't be a lot of fun right? Actually, a positive mental attitude isn't for everybody. Here, let me break it down. This is one of the few subjects I happen to be a pro on. I;m not bragging. I'ts just that I'm about the most positive thinker you'll ever want to meet. I probably border obnoxious actually..
Having a positive attitude means that you have to raise your expectations of, well .. everything. If you're expectations are low, your level of disappointment is also lower when things don't work out. Problem is, things have a habit not working out fairly often, and that low level of disappointment becomes a dark companion for these folks.
Some people handle disappointment better than others, and I think this is a subconscious factor in whether or not many people elect to take on the responsibilities that go along with, and the work that goes into having a strong positive attitude.
I don't remember making the decision on my attitude. I will say this; That disappointment thing can work two ways. As a young boy, there was a situation or some conditions, or what ever you want to call it going on in my life. The Hub Pages was my first experience with writing, and it allowed me to get rid of a bunch of stuff I've carried with me all my life for the first time regarding my childhood. If you've read a lot of my work, you know the deal. Anyway, my point is this; Disappointment was a crushing monster in my childhood, and maybe the positive attitude thing was the only way out that I could see.If you start out on the bottom, there are only two ways to go. You can either crawl along the bottom for the rest of your life, ore you can fight your way to the surface, and get some real air.
Getting the Positive Mental "No Pants" Attitude ..
I've read a lot of books over the years about this subject. It's great positive brain food, but I don't agree with everything written about it. Most of what you read seems wonderful when you read it, but somehow seem to have a missing link somewhere in the material.
First, there are people who have a neither positive or negative attitude. I can't believe that life is full of giggles for them, and they don't usually become astronauts, but they seem to hold their own in the world. Second, without negative attitudes, positive attitudes would only be subjective with nothing in which to measure them by. Third, you don't adopt a positive attitude, you build it. Not everyone is a builder, and building this attitude can be harder for some than others. You've got to want it, not want to want it. Now go back and read that last part again. It's bigger than it looks. It's possible for anyone to have the attitude, just like it's possible for (almost) anyone to become astronaut. Like anything else, not everyone wants it bad enough to actually do it.
What I'm about to say below, you won't get from any of those self help books. They are afraid to tell you that developing a positive mental attitude, means accepting the responsibility for what you think, and how you think what you think.
You choose ninty-nine percent percent of your words, eighty percent of your thoughts, and sixy percent of what you hear.
What you say ..
Speaking positive is fairly easy to do. All three of these things require patience and practice, but if you are serious about it and stay at it, you'll watch and be amazed at the difference in how you look at life in general in a short period of time. At first, when speaking, you have to think before you speak, and consciously choose positive words. If you are facing a challenge for instance, you might say out loud, "I'll WIN!!" five times. You can not avoid a thought process, be it ever so brief, of you being victorious over the challenge. The more you say it, the more you see it. After a while, speaking positively just comes natural. I'm like a fifth degree black belt positive thinker. Yeah, I'm a bad mo fo. You don't get to this level over night, but when you do, you find your self obligated to put a positive spin on everything. Maybe some one's bird died, for example, and they're in a crusty mood. You put your hand on their shoulder and say something like, "Birds are filthy creatures, and carry diseases. Actually, you're a very lucky sonofabitch pal."
What You Hear ..
Suppose I tell you to close your eyes and don't think of a pink elephant. What just happened? You automatically thought about a pink elephant. What you hear forces a mental process just like what you say. Let me mention what you read works just like what you hear.
You don't always have control of what you hear, but you do have control of how long you hear it. You also have control over how you feel about what you heard, and how you react to it.. You have to work at this. Suppose someone rolls up on you and says, "Hey man, your (name of football team) lost their quarterback. I bet they lose tomorrow." Here's the mental drill you go through. (thinking to yourself) .. "Will ya listen to this negative prick! How did this jerk keep from getting hit by a car on the way over here anyway?" You continue your thinking .. "We have an excellent back up quarterback, and a hell of a running game. Yeah, we'll definitely win tomorrow." At this point you've successfully handled the negative crap so far, but eventually, you'll break down if you let it continue long enough. Remember, you do have control over how long you hear negativity. So, in this case, you end it by using a little tact. Perhaps you say something like this .."Hey, thanks for the input there Muchacho. Why don't you go home and bury that filthy ass dead bird of yours before it gets too dark." It takes practice, but it's simple really, and you'll be a positive force in no time
Your thoughts ..
Sure thoughts are introduced or sometimes they just pop into our head, but they start out in a subjective form. We choose to what degree and how we think about the subject, or whether to just plain dismiss the subject before it becomes a progressive thought. People destroy themselves thinking about things that they have no control over. They also destroy themselves by thinking about things in the past that are painful. I lost my soul mate not too long ago. It almost killed me. Her name was Sammy, and she was the most outstanding beautiful canine that God ever made. She was my closest friend. Whether it happens because I run across one of her pictures, someone maybe brings her up in conversation, or a thought of her just pops into my head, I find myself thinking about her. I own the thought, and I control it's process. I can think about how much I miss her, the day she died in my arms, I can think about her living and the awesome relationship we had, or I can simply choose to dismiss the whole thing for the time being, and put the thought out of my head. I control my thinking. This is how it works with almost everything. I am NOT saying that this is easy to do. It takes practice, but the mind is like every other part of your body. It can be trained. By the way, I think about her daily, but I put the hurtful thoughts away.
Positive thinking requires you to consciously examine your thoughts. You'll have to put forth a conscious effort at first. As time goes on you'll go through the process naturally. When you are thinking about something, anything, back away, examine, analyze, and tweak these thoughts into a positive product. 1. Back away 2. examine 3. analyze 4. tweak
I'm going to be quite candid here. When I get finished writing this, I have to go out and clean up dog crap. We have three large dogs, and they can match the feces output of say, one LARGE Clydesdale. You just can't take a day off when it comes to this, without being concerned about the direction of the wind. The first thought I'm having is actually a vision. It's me holding my breath and picking up this horrible looking crap, complete with dozens of flies using my small shovel. I have just completed the first three steps in fewer than three seconds. Now it's time to tweak. Now I'm in the back yard picking the stuff up, but this time I'm noticing a clear blue sky above, and there's that new neighbor riding her horse down the wash in back of my place wearing those short shorts and little white tee shirt. Dudes and dudettes, I don't mean to end this so abruptly, but my work is dine here anyway, and I have some excellent dog crap waiting for me. Thanks for coming by!
In conclusion .. (dog crap cleaned up, and it was a beautiful thing)
At a time in life when most folks are winding it down and gearing up for golf and fishing, I'm taking on the biggest challenge of my life. Saving a nation. Over the years Americans have been slowly manipulated into lowering their expectations of the leadership in Washington. Americans have almost lost hope. Our leadership has taken our money and wasted it. Corruption cost the American tax payers one trillion dollars a year. Our credit rating has been down graded for the first time in our history, and we're facing the possibility of a second down grading in December 2011 .. Yet Americans continue down the same road. I've started a political non profit called the Housefire Project http://housefireproject.com/, and we have some exciting things planned. But the first thing on the menu is giving America back a winning attitude. The road back begins here. You see, when you develop a positive attitude, you begin to expect excellence. When you honestly expect something, you usually get it.
Thank you for the read my friends. The Man With No Pants is an aquired taste, and some people never get it. Whether you be a fan or not so much, walk tall, and tell someone you love them today. Smile often and rest hardy!
tmwnp (Jim)
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Don't forget about the good hard work part, or a little help from your friends who are more likely to help if you believe in yourself.
Great Write-up Jim.
George,
Hey pal! Thanks for the read and the vote. Freakin traffic IS slow.
You are definitly a member of the PMA club, and one of our outstanding members. You're management dude. All the way pal!
jim
Fj
Thanks for jumping on this and doing a read and comment. Yes, leadership requires self confidence. Perhaps I should have gotten into that more. Thanks again pal!
jim
THE MAN,
Bumped up and I loved the quotes by Vince Lombard; reminded me of 'quitters never win, winners never quit!
"Don't let anyone fool you about this. It has little or nothing to do with genetics. This genetic thing is dangerous. I offers a convienent excuse for people to fail, It also deminishes the value of what a person can or has accomplished through hard work."
Allowing negative thoughts HAS BECOME to convenient, too easy a way for people to justify mediocrity. Remember the book, "You can't afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought"?
team,
Hey, another PMA club member! Man, us PMAers just seem to be drawn to each other. You're so right my friend. PIPO and NINO .. Positive in, Positive out, Negative in, Negative out.
Thanks for the read and the positive support. Love and peace!
jim
Jim...
My god man...this is quite possibly the most useful hub in all of Hubsville publication!
You are correct on several fronts...1) You do border on the obnoxious,(laughing) 2)that 'dark companion of disappointment' has periodically dodged my weary ass and I have been the weaker for it...in mind, spirit, and soul...it becomes easy to wallow...although not when you are around apparently (lets out a wet sounding fart)...
Actually...my presence here on Hubpages is a denial of that 'wallowing' tendency that everyone should fear/avoid! This is a fact I was unaware of until I just read this Hub. So...you know...wow.
(Still laughing about obnoxious joke)
I'm sorry for Sammy, my friend.
Thanks,
Thomas
Thomas,
Dude, I am jazzed now that you've come by. You know, I'm nor sure what you just said that made me think of it, but I may have go back, edit, and add something. Used to be a cool if you went around telling folks you're positive. Now, saying that can ruin your love life, and make friends disappear .. hmmm
Thanks for the Sammy thought. She was a brindle colored 1/2 Ridgeback Pit Bull and 1/2 Chow. She was by my side 24/7. Went to work with me and slept at the foot of the bed between Amy's feet and mine. She could read my mind and was always one move in front of me. Incredible. She had a few hang ups though. She liked to eat big dogs, homeless people, and anyone approaching my vehicle. Nothing personal. She just saw them as a threat that had to be neutralized. That was her job as she saw it and she took her job very serious.
Thomas, you're my bud, cause you're an outstanding member of "Club Cool" as am I. The air sho is sweet up here, A-bro?!
jim
Good advice. It's very hard to do for many people though, myself included. It's difficult to maintain a positive outlook on things when it seems like everything is going south. I also find it very hard to keep from thinking about painful events from my past. Those thoughts just seem to creep in on their own and you're right, it's almost impossible to NOT think about something once it's there. I'm going to keep working on it though. Good hub!
MJ, a friend told me a long time ago, when you start feeling those past things and maybe even feel sorry for yourself, get on your pity pot. But, she said, and I remember this so well, "Make sure you give it a statute of limitations."
That has turned out to be good advice, because I don't think we'd be human if we only had a PMA ALL THE TIME.
MJ,
This is harder for some people, but it CAN be done. It took a long time for life's events to get you trained to process things the wrong way, and it'll take a while to get you back, but practice makes perfect. It's impossible to think of two things at once. When a painful thought makes it's way in, you jam in a thought of something cool. Sometimes you have to re-jam it a few times, but it gets more effective as time goes on. Every negative has a positive flip side. It just does. Sometimes you have to dig, but it's there. Let me know how it goes my friend.
jim
they say: "You are product of yesterday and hope of tomorrow, the only thing you really have is present. Present is a gift, do not spoil it by regretting past or dreaming about tomorrow." And yet I am guilty as everyone...
Hi Jim-wow! Those quotes were a great way to get into the PMA hub. I'm a huge believer in positive mental attitude and it makes sense to me that you practice this. I have always found you to be so approachable and friendly here. It's so refreshing to come by one of your hubs. Peace my friend :-)
Beata,
Me too. Guilty as charged. (laughing) I don't spend enough in "the now." I've got some problems there I need to address I'm afraid.
Thanks for the visit my friend!
jim
Minne,
Bless your heart girl! I love it when you come by, because you always bring in some fresh air.
Love ya my sister!
jim
Loved your hub, TheManWithNoPants! Voted up and useful. This one I have practiced for a long, long time and it works! I may not be able to choose my circumstances, but I can ALWAYS, ALWAYS choose my reaction to my circumstances. And, yes, it is all about making a choice. You are right that it takes practice. At first it is easy to slip back into an old way of thinking, but it becomes easier over time and one day you will notice that it has become a new habit...
rsusan,
Thank you for your POSITIVE and supportive comments, the fan mail, and the follow my friend. I'm a guy who really appreciates it when someone puts forth the effort to do these for me.
Looking forward to getting to know you. I've made some super friends here at the hub. Hope I just made one more!
jim
love the vince lombardi quotes. I visited Lambeau field a few years ago and it was very inspiring. A lot of the tour they discussed Vince and he seemed like such a go-getter guy. truly inspiring.
Wish I could say I'm polly positive but I'm not. My life has shown me if it can happen, it will- and that's not the good stuff, mostly the crap. lol. So I just like to say I'm pragmatic or realistic. Its funny I'm different in the way that overly positive people drive me out of the room- lol. I get very logical and calculating and action oriented when faced with the bad things. It's helps me focus and keeps me in the reality cause you can have a positive mental attitude all you want, but unless you act on your circumstances it does diddly.
I do agree with you about genetics. THey're what you make of them. I believe they can tell a good story and it's an important back-story but not set in stone.
I believe choosing words is important too. I tell people I hardly say I'm sorry because I try to do things right the first time and not say anything I'd regret or have to apologize for.
What I have a lack of tolerance for is people who create problems where none exist. I don't think these are negative people, just attention getting or helpless or drama queens. To me a dose of negativity is funny. I'm very cynical and often turn it into humor.I'm no comedian but I notice that many comedians are cynical and speak about the bad things in life or the negatives, but turn them funny. So I'm a little mixed I guess on this topic. Interesting though...made me think without my pants on. Seriously I need to get in the shower and get dressed!!
Jim...
Let me know when you have completed the edit/add part of the process!
Thomas
Jim, awesome hub, and you have nailed it!
I am a big believer in positiva attitude! I coach boys basketball and baseball. I may not be a Bobby Knight or a Billy Martin with teaching the sport, but I am big at making my kids believe that THEY are good enough to beat the guy guarding them or hitting off of any pitcher.
I love seeing a kid with no confidence come on my team, because watching a kid learn who he is, and how to believe in himself is maybe the best thing in the world to witness. Teaching kids to hustle and ALWAYS try their best is a lesson that will stick with them forever.
Hubs like this is half the battle to success!
Keep it coming bro!
Laura,
I guess we've found a place where we don't line up perfectly. That's cool though. You have to go with what works for you for sure. As I said in the blog, there are those who have neither a positive or nevative attitude, and seem to get by fine.
What I'm actually writing about is being able to control your mind for productivity, positive results, and good mental health. I think you've got that going on, so life is groovy my little sister!
jim
Thomas,
Ya lost me dude! I shaved my head, but I'm still blond below. :/
jim
Jim...
Let's see...yes...in your earlier comment to me you said that something triggered a memory causing you to go back and add/edit something...that said...that's what I know on the subject. I like the buzz this Hub is getting...It's an important message and you tell it well my friend!
Thomas
Chris,
You make a great point. I played for two of the greatest football coaches in the history of high school and college football. Coach Johnson (deceased)High School Texas, and Coach Osborne at Nebraska. I think a lot of my thinking process comes from the foot ball locker room and playing field.
Thanks for stopping by my awesome friend!
jim
Thomas,
Oh, got it. It was the thing about it not being such a great idea running around telling folks your positive these days!
I'm not getting as many hits as I'm used to on this one, but sometimes they blow up after a few days instead of dying down. Hmmmm .. maybe there's a lot of bummed out people out there who can't listen to all this positive stuff! We'll see!
jim
Jim, Another outstanding hub. I can't quite figure out why you aren't getting more hits and comments on this one.
I suspect when we are adrift at sea in a lifeboat, it is hard to maintain a positive attitude, and we are adrift right now. When everyday brings nothing but more bad news from our government, it is truly hard to stay positive.
yep I get your point, but oddly enough I cheer myself up by being cynical in a funny sort of way. The important thing is people find what is working for them. If negativity works fine for them then so be it, but if someone is moping along in life wondering why nothing is turning out the way they want then they should certainly look at their mental state.
I think this is a great hub to go along with the mess in this country and taking charge to change things- you got that going on big bro!!
I think you raise an interesting point and I can see how CYNICISM helps you cope, but NEGATIVITY? I see a difference between the two, as cynicism can sound vaguely like humor and humor, like laughter can be the best medicine.
Mike,
Thank you for the support my friend. What keeps me feeling good is this. You can't sell a solution unless folks are pretty sure there IS a problem. With all the negative daily news, people are starting to get the fact that there is in fact a problem. Now we can get to work.
jim
Laura,
YFor sure, you goota go with what works for ya. This hub is more for the folks who aren't satisfied with their out look on how the world's working for them. You're in good shape!
jim
team,
Good points from you too. Think about how many great comedians use a negative attitude to make us laugh. Rodney Dangerfield comes to mind, but there qare a lot of them.
jim
You must be a Packer fan with all those Vince Lombardi quotes to start things off ;) It's Monday night and the Packers are playing football... going for 9-0... Go Pack Go!
Ok - seriously though, this was great. I felt like I was reliving The Secret as in your own philosphy marks several things that is covered in that documentary (it is available on Netflix if you have never heard of it). Positive thinking is something I try to make a part of daily life... and positive speaking... and positive listening... I will admit there are times when I stray. But I am only human.
Thanks for reminding me to think positive today. It was results day with P90X and I am trying to get my hub written. Only problem is I am having a hard time sitting still and focusing. But, on a positive note - I have gotten a load of other things done on my To Do List! :)
BG! You made it!
Yep kid. I figure you're an outstanding member of Club Positive. I liked you from get go, and I'm not drawn to negative people, so that makes you a super star.
You ARE a superstar ya know .. Your new dedication to working out is just plain inspiring. Thanks for the support my friend!
jim
Hey - so you never said... are you a Packer fan (I have to know with all those Lombardi quotes!)
Glad you think I am positive... I try and I do... and that is whet counts!
BG,
The Packers are one of my teams. Rogers is a stud, and they're probably the most complete team out there. I'm a old football player and Lombardi has always been a Super Hero to me. After football, I used his strategy in business. Speaking of Packers, they are just plain disrespecting the Vikings tonight. Whew!
BTW, I just completed the hand job. Now I gotta figure out how I'm gonna drop it on you. lol
oooh, I just figured it out. look at the bottom of this hub next time you're here!
jim
Ha ha - you definately give a great hand job.... lol
Yes - I watched the game and man-- the Viqueens have been disrespected. Awesome game! That's my team!!
BG,
We all find ourselves needing a hand every once in a while, and I'm always ready to lend one to a friend by golly. (snicker, snort)
Yeah, that was a complete ass whuppin. Vikings deserved it. When fifty something dudes make zillions of dollars to do something, they should be able to be competitive against anybody. They suck. It'll take a flukey bad game in the play offs to keep the Packers out of the Super Bowl. No worries.
jim
Jim - as always - who coulda said it better? No one! Phenomenal and I intend to engage myself in some positive thinking right away! Loved the photo btw - what kind of camera do you use? Lol
Kelly,
Who you kidding girl? You're a positive mo fo. (doin a nifty thumbs up) That camera went with me when I fell on the rock climb. It got beat up as bad as me, but it recovered faster. :/
jim
Kelly,
Who you kidding girl? You're a positive mo fo. (doin a nifty thumbs up) That camera went with me when I fell on the rock climb. It got beat up as bad as me, but it recovered faster. :/
jim
Oh yeah I meant to ask you about that! I saw a comment on Stacy's hub saying you took a tumble - how are you doing?!
great hub for a great man...this is the first hub i've read from you and you amazed me with your insights...
Kelley,
Oh I'm good now. I was pretty screwed up for two weeks, but I've already been back and made the climb. I was just more careful the next time. Back to normal now!
jim
racin,
Thank you for your warm comment, the awesome fan mail, and welcome follow. I sure hope I don't dissapoint you. I don't know the first thing about writing, I just think and type, and I don't think like everyone else sometimes. (laughing)
jim
racin,
Thank you for your warm comment, the awesome fan mail, and welcome follow. I sure hope I don't dissapoint you. I don't know the first thing about writing, I just think and type, and I don't think like everyone else sometimes. (laughing)
jim
racin,
Thank you for your warm comment, the awesome fan mail, and welcome follow. I sure hope I don't dissapoint you. I don't know the first thing about writing, I just think and type, and I don't think like everyone else sometimes. (laughing)
jim
A positive attitude = Living longer!
Kim,
I don't know if you live longer. It's certainly possible. I DO know the quality of life is sure better. Thanks for stopping by my friend!
jim
Yes to the power of the positive over all that it negative! Great writing here. Over the years I have learned that stressful feelings can sometimes block our ability to think positive. I have dedicated my life to helping others find emotional recovery via positive feelings, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. If you have some time, I hope you will find out more of "What I Know." Peace and Light....Gary.
Gary,
Thanks for the support and the follow my friend. Dude, I'd love to find out what you know. I'll be checking you out! Thanks again my man!
jim
TMWNP, the beauty of positive thinking is that it can be incorporated into one's persona at any stage of life.
It seems to me that sometimes we fall so that we have to look up.
Thanks for sharing.
stessily,
Beautifully put my friend. Without negative, positive would only be subjective. Don't recall seeing you round these parts. (in my best Hoss Cartwright impersination) Hope to see ya around!
jim
TMWNP: Hope ta see ya around as well, Pilgrim (in my best John Wayne imitation, which isn't bad for a girl). Thanks.
Stessily
(laughing) That's the best damn John Wayne imperination I ever heard from a girl!
jim
Jim, I am so-so-so on the same page with you about this.
Me too: Fifth degree black belt positive thinker. (Except when I stumble over Streptomyces and fall. That hour or two before I am back on my feet again, I am as negative as a thermometer in solid ice. Fortunately I will be sleeping most of the time.)
I am a disciple and apostle of PMA, because negative thoughts had severely battered me from time to time and the last time (2000) it had almost killed me.
Turning the mind from negative to positive is hard work, like moving a mountain, but every effort worth it. As you’ve said.
What had worked for me – and is by now second nature – Replace every negative thought immediately with two positive thoughts, and stay away from negative people. I can’t remember whose quote this is, but is a fact: “There is nothing as contagious as enthusiasm except the lack of it.”
I love those quotes of Vince Lombardi. I must go and bookmarked his work.
Bravo for this one!
Between us, when I stumble upon a hub covering a topic I know by heart, I normally only scan it to see if all 'my views' are covered. But this hub of yours I have read word for word, because the way you share your thoughts is absolutely delighting. You've kept a smile on my face.
And I could feel that painful longing in your heart called Sammy, and agreed with you. There is a time and a place for everything.
We may grieve, be angry, be disheartened, be negative, BUT not 24 hours per day. I PLAN my time to grieve or to allow my anger into actions (such as writing a story in which I can murder the men who had disappointed me.)
Music are instant mood swingers. So when it is time for mourning, I merely listen to appropriate music - and change it to the opposite mood the moment crying-time is over.
I'm sharing this with all my friends.
I must add only one thing - Positive thoughts and REALISTIC thoughts are synonyms. One have to face reality - and some stuff in real life is negative - such as 9/11. A Positive mind, however, will cover it with beauty - with flowers, fountains, whatever sooth the soul.
You really DID read every word my friend. This positive thing is as big a deal to you as it is to me. With most people I think it's more of a sound bite. You made a point that I think I forgot to put in, and that's about surrounding yourself with positive people. The fact is that negative people can often bring you down before you pull them up. How many times do you hear about someone jumping in to save someone from drowning and they both drown? That's not a great analogy I guess. It'd be hard to just stand there and watch somebody drown. (or maybe it is!)
We have some things in common besides this. Among those things is the fact that we're both thinkers. I analyz everything, which drives some people crazy, but I love doing it anyway.
I appreciate tour coming by and spending the time Martie. Just like in your writing, your comments are real, not generic. You're cool girl.
jim
Jim, just accept it - we WILL jump in when it is somebody we love, but we will be clever enough not to allow him to pull us down. If we have to go under, it will be because of an accident beyond our control. At the end of the day we need to say: "I've done my best. There was nothing more I could have done, except dying."
Thanks for your lovely reply. Good to know I have a male Siamese twin in Hubland. Only one difference - I don't have the guts to go without pants :)))
Martie,
I'll go a step further. We'll jump in every time,but unlike some of the other's we'll take an inner tube with us.
Also, my slogan when I first started this thing was .. "I took off my pants so that you wouldn't have to." I meant so that you wouldn't have to take off "your" pants as a sort of analogy of me starting the Housefire Project and sticking my neck out so that people could benefit with out risk. One girl read it like "I took of my pants so that SHE wouldn't have to take MY pants off. I dropped the line. Any way .. You'll get it. "I took of my pants, so that you could keep your on." (laughing) Guess that should have been the actual slogan to begin with. Dang .. you're good!
jim
no, i won't be disappointed as long as you follow your heart when you write...the heart does not go wrong only the limitations of the mind...
raciniwa,
Beautifully put my friend, and I don't think I have any choice about following my heart. It's the only thing I know how to do it seems.
jim
....well someone we both know calls you in admiration and awe and respect (like the way I feel about you) - 'the force' - yes you are a force alright - and this hub theme pretty well sums up what you are all about Jim - and the reason why I look up to you the way I do - this will be posted to my FACEBOOK page with a direct link back here so other people can be converted and become better off and their lives richer because of it.
I heard a while back you fell from the side of a mountain in a climbing accident (or something like that -lol) well Jim you are the 'mountain' and more important than that you have been my friend since the beginning here at the Hub and a rock of support to me as well - there is only one MAN WITHOUT PANTS and thank god we got him - and it goes both ways too I need to pop over more and see you - because believe me you always make me feel good and as they said in STAR WARS - let the 'force' be with you ...... lake erie time ontario canada 12:20pm and sending warm wishes and good energy
Colin,
Thank you my good friend. Kinder words have not been spoken. Let's hope that I remain a positive and productive force, and not let my ego ever get in the way. You, I might add, have always been the source of the morining smile that makes me rock like a mother. You give a lot of people a badly needed smile.
Love ya my brother!
jim
.....and as we both know Jim 'ego' is a good thing if you use it and not abuse it - lol - just come back (because I forgot - lol) to dance all over this keyboard and rate you up and of course post this righteous hub pep talk to my Facebook page with a direct link back here - lake erie time 1:15pm just had a hall of fame walk along my beach just now in the glow of the late November sun .....
Colin,
Sharing me on Face Book is just one more example of your unselfish loyalty as a friend. I hardly deserve it, but I promise to keep it real my dear friend!
jim
Hey Jim! Glad I found this hub in this moment. I know why I wrote my lilyfly hub and what someone else judges as unkind is more about her than about me. This is what I get from this. I can live with not being liked by everyone. I wrote lily and if she doesn't get it, Well I tried. I am moving on.
Meanwhile you are like Pecos Bill!
That's my girl. "Kick the dust off your sandles, and move on down the road". Life's too short.
Pecos Bill! I memember him! Can't remember him well enough to figure out what I have in common with him, but it's gotta be good. Now I'm going to go Google the dude. I remember like a big old cowboy hat and a big hugh mustache right?
B.
We both ride tornados!! A brother tornado rider. Man that's awesome!
Haha YES! The tornado dudes. Love the visual!
I once taught middle school Sunday school to similar effect as you describe. I called the group Middle School Mayhem and wrote the curriculum myself. We studied the Aramaic Lords Prayer for example. And did a coming of age ceremony. We went to a New Mexico pueblo and helped with summer school for a week, with meditation breaks at the Buddhist Center in town.
I love the hard core kids everyone else gave up on. I've always been blessed with a knack for making them respect me, and turning it around. I should get back into it. It's just hard for me to deal with more than one obsession at a time, and right now, I'm obsessed with making a positive impact on this countrie's future. I have a lot of confidence in myself (bordering obnoxious probably) and I really think I can pull this off B.
jim
Superb hub.Voted up!.and yes being positive makes the day great..it's all that we need to keep moving...
i love this "you don't adopt a positive attitude, you build it. Not everyone is a builder, and building this attitude can be harder for some than others. You've got to want it, not want to want it".. :)
it helps me understand why others can't be just as positive as people who sees the world full of wonderful stuff than focusing the ugly ones.
amazingkym,
It's really cool to see you read the entire hub. A lot of people just skim. I've been guilty of it too to be honest. Anyway.. I read your profile, and I was impressed. I wanted to follow you but AOL is acting up, and the follow button is gone. I'll figure out something. I thank you for the read and the support my friend. Hope to see you around!
jim
Dear Sir Pantless,
You have a new fan. I think we've read many of the same books, committed ourselves to some of the same disciplines. Thank you for your candor and inspiration. I've got some catching up to do - this is my first of your hubs.
Blessings, Linda
Hey Linda,
Welcome aboard! Man I love positive people and I'll be checking out your stuff as well. Thank you for giving me a read and turning in some support. Cool! BTW, I'm a Presby to. Did you happen to go to Prinston? If so we may some friends in common!
jim
Yo, Sir Pantless,
Thanks for your kind response! I've been to Princeton Seminary for a conference, but went to San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, California for the four year gig.
Hope you find some value in my hubs. Also, want to express my sorrow for your loss of Sammy. I had a wonderful Golden Retriever (from 8 wks. old to six years) and he was the love of my life. He was a service dog, given to me after the murder of my niece, for my healing. He was with me 24/7, at work, etc. Lost him to cancer. Wrenching beyond words, and I know you know. So, bless your heart!
BTW, your Mom IS proud of you and you are honoring your vow.
Blessings, L.
Four years of Seminary without getting messed up? Wow. I knew I was going to like you. You're only the second one I know to come out in one piece. (laughing)
Yes, Mom is proud, but she has more important things going on right now like reminding Jesus and the rest of the gang to wash their hands and stuff. Man I miss her sometimes, but I was holding her hand when she passed and it was incredible. I'll tell you sometime. I have some stuff like "The Devil Goes Church" part one and two, and "God .. The Two Reasons I Believe In Him" If you find some time, give the last one a read. I imagine we'll line up pretty well outside of me being rough and tough.
Love and peace my friend,
jim
Dear Jim,
I will indeed give them a read! More soon. Bless your heart, L.
Linda,
I'm gonna like you kiddo!
jim
Hey Jim,
This is one of the best pieces I've read lately and one that I really needed to read. Thank you! I have a friend who has this great positive attitude. Every time I call her and ask how she is, she ALWAYS says "good, good, how are you?" No matter what is going on in her life, if it is negative, it is always temporary. And she'll simply say "it is what it is." I love that attitude.
I do try to keep a positive attitude no matter what. For me, I have learned that the people I decide to have in my life make a huge difference. It's important to weed out the negative people for my own good. Thank you for this thought-provoking read. And I love that fact that you mentioned your precious Sammy.
Sharyn
Sharon,
You've got a good strong attitude. I know because of how well you handled a bad situation that came knocking at your door recently. I thank you for your kind words and I admire the strength you've shown in other things as well.
jim
To TheManWithNoPants:
Your title photo says it all!
Earl Nightingale said success was "progressively realizing a worthy ideal."
You have one and a determination to match! You go!
Born2care,
Thank you for taking the time my friend, and thank you for the follow. I'll be checking you out also because you gotta be one positive dude also. Looking forward to getting to know you bro!
jim
THANX 4 DA IN4MATION
American View Level 7 Commenter 6 months ago
Excellent read, up and awesome!!
Many people really do not know or understand the power of positive thinking. Believing in ones self brings more ideas and projects to fruition than anything else.Living life with a positive attitude, opens a new world to you, you see things better, clearer.