happy 2011

For most of the last few months leading up to the new year, I dreaded 2011 and thought negatively about the year, contrasting it with how great 2010 was. Of course the negative thoughts manifested themselves to a rough start: the end of my temporary assignment, falling out/fights with family members and friends, and a general sense of losing my mojo again.

I needed some reminders of what made 2010 a personally successful one, and thankfully my cousin "slapped" some sense into me. Here are some notes I took from that phone conversation:

-Focus on having a positive attitude.

-We all have a choice to see the glass as half full or empty. The situation is the same, but the way you look at it is a world of difference.

-When you feel "bad," you think negatively, and vice-versa.

-It doesn't change anything if you focus on the negative, instead, think of the good things in life.
So you don't have a job anymore, at least you're not out on the street, for example.

-Law of Attraction: if you feel good and look at the good things, you'll get more of the good stuff. Focus on good things so you'll get more good things.

-Think good thoughts to get good vibes.

-Check your thoughts - think positively.

-Stick to a decision and commit to it, so there are no mixed signals.

-If you want it, go for it. Never feel guilty. Never mix energies because if you do something but have some nagging negative feelings about it, like "oh I should've saved my money for something else," then you'll wind up not enjoying whatever it is you bought.

-We are responsible for what we feel, nobody else.

-Nobody knows what's best for me but me.

-If you're having fun, have fun, don't let other people make you feel guilty.

-When you're committed to looking for a job (heart, mind, soul), then you're more likely to find one or it finds you.

-Check yourself. If you feel "bad," you must be thinking something negative.

-If you don't forgive, you're bearing that grudge/guilt the rest of your life. The other person may not even be thinking about it or care, so you're at a disadvantage. Forgiveness is really for Yourself, so unload the burden by forgiving.

-Thinking positively is kinda like flossing. Most people would rather not do it, but it's good for your mouth health. You have to condition yourself, much like learning to brush your teeth when you're younger. Brushing is now second-nature. We must learn to do the same with positive thinking. It feels awkward at first because we're all so conditioned to think negatively as a first response.

Yay, let's turn this frown upside down baby! Here's to a really great rest of the year!