Keeping a positive outlook is not an easy task – not in my world. Some people have the ability to make sweet lemonade out of a sour lemon so fast that it amazes me. Dwelling on a negative situation is never a good thing, but is it really that harmful to ponder a bad thought or two?

The great positive writers such as Napoleon Hill author of Think and Grow Rich and Norman Vincent Peale best known for The Power of Positive Thinking  suggest that we  constantly banish negative thoughts. However, Dr. Julie K. Noremsuggests that we harness anxiety and can reach our peak performance by using defense pessimism in her book The Positive Power of Negative Thinking . I have all of these books and have scanned through them hoping a simple solution for finding my destiny will jump out at me. Nothing has yet, however I do find pieces of encouraging words and phrases that keep pushing me forward.

While I often want to throw in the towel, I think that it can be a good thing to get frustrated. Negativity can’t rule ones mind, but I do believe that it can ignite a flame that might brighten the path we want to tread down. Maybe negative thoughts are tiny sparks that fuel passion toward positivity.

There is a world of “ifs, ands, or buts” and there is always some good in some bad and vice versa. I’m not sure if axing all negative thoughts are always the best way to move forward. Sometimes a foul force is exactly what we need to push us in a positive direction. -ed

I have been writing on training my brain to think more positive and to visualize good things happening in my life. (O Yes I Can)As a recovering pessimist, it can be challenging to constantly swap out bad thoughts for good. I used to feel that if I entertained positive thoughts then I was not being realistic. It seemed more proper to dwell on what could go wrong instead of what might go right. After a while being negative got so exhausting that decided I had nothing to lose besides a bad attitude by trying to change my though patterns.

I’ve been working on this attitude adjustment for some time now and here are a few things that I’ve noticed have changed for the better in my life.

1. I’m attracting more positive people. I’ve connected with upbeat, encouraging people and building better relationships.

2. I’m less stressed. I am prone to freaking out pretty easy (say “hi” to my type A personality) however, I have gotten better about thinking about my situation before I get too worked up over nothing.

3. I think more positive with less effort. It is true that with practice, it becomes easier to change a negative thought to a positive one.

I still have a long way to go to get to where I want to be. However, the road to getting there doesn’t seem as treacherous as it did when I began. I have big dreams and I plan to live them. I have a great life now but there is nothing wrong with wanting it to be even better. O Yes I Can Live Better!!!       -ed

Happy Monday! It’s a few days until the weekend arrives again but don’t wish your life away thinking that fun is reserved for Saturday and Sunday. I’ve been writing about using visualization to improve life. (O, Yes I Can)   Creative visualization can help you create what you want in life. It got Ellen the cover of O Magazine and I want to believe that it can help us enjoy every bit of life, even if it takes some training.

Now, I’m not a fool to think that I’m going to close my eyes and picture my house on the hill with the warm sun glistening on my face and awake to find house keys in my tan, little hands. However, from what I read, if I keep holding these images in my mind then I am creating the energy and possibility of making those images a reality. Sounds a bit out there at first but if you consider what people mean by drawing positive energy, it starts to make sense.

I think what people mean, like  Shakti Gawain the author of “Creative Visualization “, is that when you focus on things you want you become clearer as to the things you need to do to get them and make them happen. When you concentrate on these good things then you begin to create ideas of the things that you want in life and what is most important to you. Shakti suggests four steps for effective creative visualization.

1. Set Your Goal
2. Create a Clear Idea or Picture
3. Focus On It Often
4. Give It Positive Energy

The first one suggests setting a simple goal to begin with, something that gets you in the habit of believing good things. How about visioning that you will have a good day every day of the week? Do everything possible to make that happen. Try doing something to cheer up a friend at work or just make it a point to laugh. (careful not to confuse, do not “point and laugh”-those results might not be so positive!) -ed

There is a lot to be said for giving thanks. Some say, “hey, thanks for nothin’” and other’s really count their blessings. In the kick off article “O, Yes I Can” I explained that I plan to explore the possiblities of living a better life by using visualization and positive thinking. Hopefully with a good attitude along with gratitude “O yes I can” live an Ellen/ Oprah lifestyle and beyond!

Making note of gratitude does help us see the things that we appreciate in our lives. It can help set a bad day straight. Sometimes when you feel like the day is off to a bad start, step back a minute an write down 5 things that are right about the day. Actually seeing the good things written out can make a difference in our attitude for the rest of the day. Maybe a co-worker left the coffee empty. If you take a moment to be glad that you have coffee available to you then maybe brewing up the next batch isn’t so bad.

I try to make gratitude notes on good days too. I think it makes me see the things with a better attitude and attitudes spread. Good or bad and I’d rather be responsible for perking up somebody’s day than dragging it down. Now it can be dang difficult to write out gratitude when you feel frusterated. If you are having trouble finding your purpose in life then stay tuned. I raided the library trying to find material to help our O, Yes I Can travels using visualization. I came away with a few that might offer some tips. So far I like this sentence from “Intelligence for Your Life“, by John Tesh: “Purpose-driven people encourage each other and stand shoulder to shoulder in battle.” I know the guy has a rap for being sappy but who cares if we learn something to improve one another!? -ed

“O yes I can” live an Ellen/ Oprah lifestyle and beyond! I will use visualization like Ellen did to land the cover of Oprah’s magazine to live a better life and to make better lives for the people around me. There’s an article about visualization on Physical Matters, and the comments support the benefits of using positive visuals. I frustrate easy and can let negativity creep in to delude my hopeful spirit, but I am bullheaded enough not to give up.

As a series for ed’s watch I want to share my practice of positive thinking and visualization with readers. With your support, “o yes I can” live and give a better life. I’ve been a fan of Ellen and Oprah for years. They exemplify a life that many dare to only dream about, I want to have it and more. They both use their show to inform, entertain, but above all to make dreams come true for other people.

Ellen enjoys having fun with her life. If you’ve watched her show she takes time everyday to dance and laugh. Something we should all do more of. She has a knack at being side-splitting hilarious without being mean. Here’s part of the edswatch plan: to take notes from the Ellen show and try to implement similar positive aspects and help improve people’s life. Now, I don’t get to watch the show often - it airs during the part of my day that I try to make it as a writer(visualizing and doing)however, I will try to record it and if any of you readers watch it and can share ideas with for the improvement movement let me know. I may just be one ordinary person, but I am going to believe that “O yes I can” have an Ellen/Oprah life and beyond!!!

For my first visualization I will share with you what I call my Empress Empire. My plan is if I build it they will come. Ok, maybe I’m a goof but I don’t care. It’s all about giving life to my dreams, and in my dream I am an Empress with an Empire of wealth to share. Much of what I visualize right now is an Empire of happy, positive, loving people surrounding me and supporting me as I work toward my many goals. I have a lot of goals but let’s start with running and writing. Now, how can I rein supreme Empress of my Empire and reach my goals by influencing others?

I hope that by sharing my personal dreams that it will encourage and inspire you to go for a goal – or many goals. I am pretty private about my inner thoughts and not comfortable about revealing my private desires of big dreams, so let’s make it pay off! Share with me your goals and visuals for a better life, tell me how you stay focused.  I want to expand on gratitude next time. (O, Yes I Can – With Gratitude) Stay posted!!! “O YES WE CAN!” -ed