Just because

"Just because one cannot see, does not mean they have no VISION and just because one cannot walk does not mean they cannot GO THE DISTANCE!!!!!" -- Christopher Reeve, actor

What makes some so mentally strong that they are determined to "sail full steam ahead" no matter what while others literally give up and die?

Optimism . . . faith . . . the Power of Positive Thinking.

In his bestseller, the Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale demonstrates the power of faith in action. Through experiences of men and women coming to him for advice, Peale reveals how the proper attitude of mind can change lives and win success in all things. Peale speaks about:

• Breaking the worry habit
• Getting other people to like you
• Energizing your life giving yourself the vitality and initiative needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes
• Avoiding "the jitters" in your daily work
• Believing in yourself and in everything you do
• Living a controlled, relaxed life no matter how fast the pace may be
• Developing the power to reach your goals
• Thinking the kind of thoughts that lead you to a fuller life and satisfying success

Changing our thinking from negative to positive touches everything in our lives from getting out of bed in the morning to relating to our friends and family. It influences our performance at work, at the gym and life in general.

Positive thinking allows us to handle stress more easily and possibly affording us longer, healthier lives. Repeated stress signals can eventually weaken the immune system and are linked to colds, respiratory infections, hypertension, heart attacks, diabetes, asthma, allergies, colitis, alcoholism, obesity, backaches and the progression of cancer.

Our bodies cannot distinguish between stress triggered by our own negative thoughts or real outside events. If we tell ourselves things aren't going to go well, we become tense, anxious and prepare for the worse. On the other hand, if we visualize a positive outcome, our stress level will be lower in approaching the task.

Motivational "coaches" teach their pupils various methods to enhance their outlooks on life--affirmations, or the process of mentally and verbally redirecting the thought process, are perhaps one of the most effective means for changing our vision of ourselves.

We don't realize how many times a day we send ourselves negative messages. Most of us usually don't spend much time thinking about the way we think. But thinking is a habit, and the way we talk to ourselves in our minds is a habit. Studies indicate most people hear between 300 and 400 negative message per day--many of which occur in our own minds. How many times have you said to yourself, "That was stupid," "I need to lose weight" or "I'm going to fail my test today." Negative self-messages and put-downs breed low self-esteem, depression and lack of motivation. While positive self-messages create good results: happiness, success, serenity.

Make yourself more aware of your inner conversations. Stop your negative self-talk today. As the old song goes, "Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." Whenever you feel yourself thinking a negative thought, STOP. Don't finish it. Change the thought to a positive one before it leaves you.

Give yourself a daily pep talk. Tell yourself, "I am in control of my life", "Great job at the gym", "I'll get that A on my test", "I'm thankful for my family and friends and the life I have".

No one can be "Polly Anna" all of the time, but eventually practicing a positive "mind set" (seeing the glass half full) can and will become a way of life.