Comments on: Positive Thinking Might Be Your Demise http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243 By Mónica Diaz Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:44:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Its about Faith! | The Otheresteem Blog http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-194 Its about Faith! | The Otheresteem Blog Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:43:58 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-194 [...] Positive Thinking Might Be Your Demise (e-quidam.com) [...] [...] Positive Thinking Might Be Your Demise (e-quidam.com) [...]

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]]> By: It’s Not Denial | The Otheresteem Blog http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-114 It’s Not Denial | The Otheresteem Blog Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:40:32 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-114 [...] Positive Thinking Might Be Your Demise (e-quidam.com) [...] [...] Positive Thinking Might Be Your Demise (e-quidam.com) [...]

]]> By: Don F Perkins http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-95 Don F Perkins Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:33:23 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-95 Hi Monica I get a lot of platitudes about positive thinking whenever I meet a friend or colleague and it comes out that I am unemployed. I know they mean well and it doesn't bother me that they do this, but every time I hear someone say "aww. something will come up soon" I am tempted to say "why would that be?" It's as though they have knowledge of some hidden law of averages that is bound to swing back my way eventually. Or perhaps they can't think of a response any more meaningful than a gesture of routine cheerfulness; the same way people almost always say "good" when you ask them how they are doing, even when things may be going terribly wrong for them at the moment. As you have pointed out, however, there is a diametric adversary to positive thinking; to leave out the "thinking" and just be positive without application of reason or logic. You're action items make good sense and I resonate with them. Personally, I possess a positive outlook on life even after 15 months of unemployment. It's not because I am a positive person and somehow believe I will get a job soon. Rather, it's because I've thought long and hard about the future, developed a plan and am working that plan. Barring that, I would indeed be the most wretched of men, longing without reason for some wrinkle in the universe to open up and mystically drop a job in my lap. Blaise Pascal said "The heart has it's reasons that reason know's not of." In this statement I sense his recognition that lasting hope comes from a balanced blending of emotion and logic. We are all thrust into a world containing both pain and pleasure, but we have choices before us and a mind with which to make them aright. Blessings! Don F Perkins Hi Monica

I get a lot of platitudes about positive thinking whenever I meet a friend or colleague and it comes out that I am unemployed. I know they mean well and it doesn’t bother me that they do this, but every time I hear someone say “aww. something will come up soon” I am tempted to say “why would that be?” It’s as though they have knowledge of some hidden law of averages that is bound to swing back my way eventually. Or perhaps they can’t think of a response any more meaningful than a gesture of routine cheerfulness; the same way people almost always say “good” when you ask them how they are doing, even when things may be going terribly wrong for them at the moment.

As you have pointed out, however, there is a diametric adversary to positive thinking; to leave out the “thinking” and just be positive without application of reason or logic.

You’re action items make good sense and I resonate with them. Personally, I possess a positive outlook on life even after 15 months of unemployment. It’s not because I am a positive person and somehow believe I will get a job soon. Rather, it’s because I’ve thought long and hard about the future, developed a plan and am working that plan. Barring that, I would indeed be the most wretched of men, longing without reason for some wrinkle in the universe to open up and mystically drop a job in my lap.

Blaise Pascal said “The heart has it’s reasons that reason know’s not of.” In this statement I sense his recognition that lasting hope comes from a balanced blending of emotion and logic. We are all thrust into a world containing both pain and pleasure, but we have choices before us and a mind with which to make them aright.

Blessings!

Don F Perkins

]]> By: TwittLink - Your headlines on Twitter http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-84 TwittLink - Your headlines on Twitter Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:54:27 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-84 [...] Tweets about this great post on TwittLink.com [...] [...] Tweets about this great post on TwittLink.com [...]

]]> By: Robyn Stratton-Berkessel http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-83 Robyn Stratton-Berkessel Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:42:41 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-83 Hi Monica, Thank you for your balanced perspective on positive thinking. I am with you. You make it clear that by becoming aware of the direction and energy of our thinking (whether it's more to negative thinking or positive), we develop a consciousness to determine what serves us and others in a given situation. I sense that those of us who practice positivity in the way you succinctly and eloquently outline it are collectively dispelling the myth that positive thinking is pollyanna-ish. I fully enjoyed reading your piece, and my big take-away is that positive thinking is such a foundational piece for sustaining hope and faith. Hi Monica,
Thank you for your balanced perspective on positive thinking. I am with you. You make it clear that by becoming aware of the direction and energy of our thinking (whether it’s more to negative thinking or positive), we develop a consciousness to determine what serves us and others in a given situation. I sense that those of us who practice positivity in the way you succinctly and eloquently outline it are collectively dispelling the myth that positive thinking is pollyanna-ish. I fully enjoyed reading your piece, and my big take-away is that positive thinking is such a foundational piece for sustaining hope and faith.

]]> By: Shabeer http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-82 Shabeer Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:27:50 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-82 Great Article!!!! Great Article!!!!

]]> By: Thomas Waterhouse http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-81 Thomas Waterhouse Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:04:50 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-81 We tend to think in theories therefore generalized positive thinking or optimism is a far better choice than predicting fearful outcomes. Optimism is a foundation for the freedom from self that we need for productive action. When we can govern our thoughts and theories accurately and without distortion then we transform “fear” into “concern” that is “actionable” but yes, a sense of vulnerability is part our humanity that we do carry with us! Beyond Cognitive Science and self-talk we move into the area of faith and God-talk. In this realm we can be quite lofty with our dreams and visions. However, healthy spirituality always comes with a balance of worship, contemplation, and contribution that is quite practical. Frankly, the Law of Attraction is not a “law” and it is not a science. It is a theory and “theology of self” that is called humanism. Like all faith, it has its place, but their method of “prayer” is no more measurably “causal” than the “prayer” of Muslims, Jews, or Christians. Like all faiths, it can be healthy or unhealthy. The distinction is that healthy psychology and healthy spirituality creates a “productive freedom from self”, and these four words provide a great measure that points straight back to your teaching. I obviously agree strongly with your grounded stance and could go on forever, but, it becomes a bit odd when a response becomes longer than the blog!!! You opened some incredible doors for great discussion Monica! Okay, I’m done. Thanks for listening! :) We tend to think in theories therefore generalized positive thinking or optimism is a far better choice than predicting fearful outcomes. Optimism is a foundation for the freedom from self that we need for productive action. When we can govern our thoughts and theories accurately and without distortion then we transform “fear” into “concern” that is “actionable” but yes, a sense of vulnerability is part our humanity that we do carry with us! Beyond Cognitive Science and self-talk we move into the area of faith and God-talk. In this realm we can be quite lofty with our dreams and visions. However, healthy spirituality always comes with a balance of worship, contemplation, and contribution that is quite practical. Frankly, the Law of Attraction is not a “law” and it is not a science. It is a theory and “theology of self” that is called humanism. Like all faith, it has its place, but their method of “prayer” is no more measurably “causal” than the “prayer” of Muslims, Jews, or Christians. Like all faiths, it can be healthy or unhealthy. The distinction is that healthy psychology and healthy spirituality creates a “productive freedom from self”, and these four words provide a great measure that points straight back to your teaching. I obviously agree strongly with your grounded stance and could go on forever, but, it becomes a bit odd when a response becomes longer than the blog!!! You opened some incredible doors for great discussion Monica! Okay, I’m done. Thanks for listening! :)

]]> By: Sharon Eden http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-79 Sharon Eden Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:22:48 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-79 Superbly put, Monica! Positive thinking can be used to move us forward or hold us back. And your points about 'making it count' are so very useful. My favourite 'bete noire' with positive thinking is what I call 'positive stinking'. This is all about 'happy-clappy' denial of things which need dealing with, both external and internal. Would love to hear your view on that :-) Go woman go! Superbly put, Monica! Positive thinking can be used to move us forward or hold us back. And your points about ‘making it count’ are so very useful.

My favourite ‘bete noire’ with positive thinking is what I call ‘positive stinking’. This is all about ‘happy-clappy’ denial of things which need dealing with, both external and internal. Would love to hear your view on that :-)

Go woman go!

]]> By: Marion Chapsal http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-78 Marion Chapsal Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:23:39 +0000 http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog/?p=243#comment-78 You have a very powerful voice, Monica, which I hear also when you write. It's vibrant, clear, compassionate and optimistic. It's also very HONEST and COURAGEOUS. It takes a lot of courage to face our fears and to carry on believing in our bright future. You 're a living example that it is possible and your post is crystal clear about it! Reminds me of Elizabeth Guilbert's talk on TED about creativity. Show up and do it anyway! Olé to you! You have a very powerful voice, Monica, which I hear also when you write.
It’s vibrant, clear, compassionate and optimistic.
It’s also very HONEST and COURAGEOUS.
It takes a lot of courage to face our fears and to carry on believing in our bright future.
You ‘re a living example that it is possible and your post is crystal clear about it!
Reminds me of Elizabeth Guilbert’s talk on TED about creativity.
Show up and do it anyway!
Olé to you!

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