Promote Positivism

"Positive Attitude is a Plus" -- so goes the corporate advertisement of Essar Gujarat, one of the leading industrial conglomerates in India. The ad clearly describes positivism as having a logic and momentum all its own.

One of my friends from India visited Jakarta without his family, and stayed in a hotel for a few weeks. Another guest who called on my friend asked him: "Do you have any difficulty in adjusting to the new place or living without your family?" My friend replied: "No, not at all. I feel quite at home here and besides, you're also one of my family." His statement was not theoretical -- I know he meant it and he really lives that way.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all could cultivate such noble traits and positive attitudes in life? Actually, there are no strangers in this world because one can always find some common ground between people. It is said that whenever we meet a stranger we should leave him as a friend.

How many of us exchange pleasantries with others while riding in a lift? Usually, most of us have a cold, dull look on our face or just stare at the floor. Some are clearly relieved to get out of the lift when they reach their floor.

On our morning walks do we ever wish anyone good morning? We encounter the same people every day but we don't even attempt to smile at them, let alone wish them well. Isn't it good to start the day with a friendly and cheerful disposition?

I recall a finance manager who invariably wished every single person good morning. Happiness is contagious. We smile because we are happy and we become happy because we smile. By uplifting others' feelings, we also uplift our own.

There is another advantage in being positive. It is claimed that by keeping our mind occupied with positive thoughts, there will be no room for negative ones. Forcing in positive thoughts drives out the negatives. We can't think two opposite thoughts at the same time. By changing our thoughts, we change our attitudes and feelings.

It certainly requires effort to keep thinking positive, but after constant practice, the positive attitude becomes a habit. As they say, a positive attitude is 10 percent nature and 90 percent nurture.

The theory of auto-suggestion enjoins everyone to firmly believe that we have reserves of health, energy, strength and endurance. It's all a state of mind. Say to yourself everyday: "Something good is going to happen to me today." We should also repeat words of power, strength, courage, self-confidence and success. Words set the tone of the mind. They dictate our thoughts, our acts, our attitudes as well as our habits, lives and fortunes.

A Yoga teacher once explained to me the methodology of auto- suggestion. We should mentally narrate to ourselves suggestions such as:

I have a good family;

My children are good -- they'll have a bright future;

I keep good health;

I have nice and helpful friends;

My neighbors are nice people;

I find pleasure in working with my office colleagues;

I live in a peaceful country -- the weather is pleasant and conducive to health.

We build upon such positive thoughts to calm our minds and relieve the stress and tension of daily life.

Life is not meant for animosity or distrust. Only by developing positive perspectives can we attain a "win-win" situation for all. We only live once, so why not live properly?

D.Chandramouli

Cilandak,

South Jakarta