Time to Train your Brain: The Power of Positivity

Welcome to another inner journey. Have you ever stopped to think about the impact our thoughts have on our lives? Let's start with the wise words of Buddha: "The mind is everything. What you think you become." Simply put, thoughts have the power to shape our reality. When we focus on the positive things and express gratitude for what we already have, we cultivate a mindset of abundance, hope, and optimism.

It's very easy to get lost in our day-to-day problems and worries. But learning to train our minds to direct our thoughts can determine not only our happiness but also our success and overall well-being. There are ways to train the brain to focus on what we have rather than what we don't.

The benefits of directing our thoughts toward the positive are numerous. Firstly, it helps us maintain a healthy perspective on life. Instead of living in a pity party, overwhelmed, or defeated, we are able to see the blessings and victories. With this perspective, we can find solutions and move forward constructively. Not to mention that positivity improves our mental and emotional health, and reduces stress. Positivity is like a bright aura around us.

Ana Carolina, my niece, used to say that her youngest son Thiago was acting like a "stormy cloud" when he was grumpy and whiny. I love that description "stormy cloud". When a positive person enters a room, we can feel a warm light shining around that person. On the other hand, when a negative, grumpy, and bitter person, enters a room, it's like they have a stormy cloud hanging over his head.

Developing the habit of focusing on the positive, of course will require practice and commitment, but it is entirely possible and worth the effort. I'll share with you three behavioral adjustments that I use to train my brain:

Gratitude practice: You've heard me talk about this behavior in many of my blogs because I truly believe it works. Take a few minutes every day to reflect on the things you're grateful for. Nothing elaborate. Just a mental list. Recognizing the blessings in your life helps direct your thoughts to the positive.

Cultivate positive thoughts: Be mindful of your thoughts, and whenever you notice a negative thought arising, make a conscious effort to replace it with a positive one. For example, instead of focusing on what's missing in your life, think about all the good things you already have.

Avoid the “Stormy Cloud Peeps” in your life. Choose carefully who you spend your time with and what kind of media you watch. Spend time with people who inspire and motivate you, and avoid excessive exposure to negative media content. I do what I can within my surroundings to contribute to the well-being of the world. Some of my siblings criticize me because I don't watch the news. I read about events related to American immigration occurrences because of my profession. But that's where I draw the line.

Here is the thing, by training our brains to focus on the positive, we're laying a solid foundation for a happy and fulfilled life. Always remember that our thoughts have the power to shape our reality, so choose to direct them to the bright side of life.

I will leave you with this one. Believe that a better future is within your reach. With every positive thought, you're building a brighter tomorrow, full of possibilities and opportunities. Take a deep breath, smile, and embrace each moment with gratitude and optimism.

The best is yet to come!

By the way, in the photo is one of my favorite peeps, my Filho! My companion for the past 16 years.

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