It is often said that positivity is a choice. There is a belief among many that good things come to those who look for them and are open to them. The challenge with this theory is that living it is often harder than saying it. If you’re going through tough times, staying positive isn’t going to be easy. The question is, can you break the cycle and choose to stay positive no matter what?
Here we’ll explore an active vs. passive approach to positivity. We’ll examine what each one means, how to practice active positivity in life, and why it’s so important. It may be time to kick the mantra of “good things come to those who wait” to the curb!
Why Is a Positive Attitude Important in Life?
If the whole idea of a positive attitude doesn’t hold much weight with you, it may be time to delve into the facts. This concept is known as the power of positive thinking. This claim is backed up by solid medical data, which shows positivity can help you live a healthier life.
Some of the benefits of positive thinking include:
- Decrease in anxiety and stress
- Decrease in depression
- Stronger resistance to illnesses
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Lower levels of pain
- Longer lifespan
- Lower risk of death from respiratory conditions
- Lower risk of death from cancer
It’s incredible to think that a positive attitude can be that impactful. But it’s a prescription-free, non-medical way to improve your mental and physical well-being.
What Are the Differences Between Active and Passive Positivity?
The differences between active and passive positivity may be larger than you assume. If you abide by the saying “good things come to those who wait,” then you practise passive positivity. Passive positivity means you are content to sit back and wait for things to happen. You don’t go out of your way to seek change, you don’t demand happiness, and positivity doesn’t guide your actions.
On the flip side, practising active positivity means you are taking the bull by the horns. You are the one demanding, attracting, and making positive things happen. It’s easy to write off positivity as luck of the draw. It’s also simple to say you never have good things happen to you.
The fact is that positive thinkers don’t necessarily have an “easy life” filled with luck. Instead, they have chosen to believe they are surrounded by positivity. It’s the belief that positivity is a mental choice, regardless of the external factors that surround you.
Simple Tips That Encourage Active Positivity
There’s a big step between wanting to practise active positivity and doing so. Usually, it’s not about making one or two changes; rather, it involves a myriad of practices. The more tips and steps you can use, the greater the results can be.
Those living an active positivity lifestyle shape their own experiences. They seek uplifting content online and offline, look for ways to stretch their budget, research new opportunities, and build habits that put them in control of their day-to-day well-being. These habits show up in all sorts of everyday behaviours—people compare coupon codes, watch for travel deal alerts, browse discounts on entertainment subscriptions, or even see the latest online casino bonus offers as just another way to stretch a leisure budget.
Experts also recommend journalling your efforts. This is a great way to keep track of your actions and the results garnered. It also helps keep you accountable while living a newly aligned, more positive lifestyle.
Meditation can also be a way to encourage active positivity. You can start each day with a short meditation session. Think of it as positive self-talk. This is a time to show forgiveness and acceptance of yourself. Positive affirmations can be repeated to help push out any negative thoughts you have. Some people find it helpful to list a few things they like about themselves or are grateful for.
You must also get into the practice of pushing negative thoughts out of your mind. Each time you start feeling low or have a negative thought, replace it with something positive. This will take effort in the beginning but will get easier over time.
What If You Find It Difficult to Take an Active Approach to Positivity
When you adopt a new habit or way of thinking, you need to be realistic with the timeline and expectations. Learning to practice active positivity takes time and patience. You cannot expect to make a few small tweaks and suddenly have everything in your life fall into place. It would be wonderful, but it’s not exactly practical.
A good way to go about making changes in life is to take baby steps. This makes the process easier to begin, gives space for grace when setbacks occur, and lays out a roadmap.
The main goal should be to create a new lifestyle routine. This isn’t like a diet where you go in full force for a few weeks or months, only to revert to old habits. Practicing active positivity needs to be a lifelong choice. Gratitude has value, but intentional action is often what turns a good day into a great one.
Practising Active Positivity Can Transform Your Life
It’s not hyperbole to expect that by practicing active positivity you can radically transform your life. Your positive outlook will touch every aspect of your routine. It will also start to change how you view challenges and tough times. They don’t have to be all doom and gloom; there can be a positive lesson buried in the situation.
It won’t always be easy, but why not give it a try? The results will be well worth your effort.