CHIN UP!

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS


There is always a way.
Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.
I can do anything I put my mind to.
You are so much stronger than you think you are.
It's OK for me to make mistakes.

HOW TO KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE


People often fail to accomplish their goals because of their fear, a poor self-image, or simply because they can’t cope with failure. We tend to think in negative way, and we are our own most strict critics. Positive affirmations can help look at life more optimistically, replace dark thoughts with bright ones and build a more confident self-image. The good news is we can teach ourselves to ‘think pink' and get rid of notions that hold us down. If you repeat an affirmation often enough, you convince yourself bit by bit that, what you say is nothing but the truth.

Everything happens for a reason, and it is possible to find the good in any situation. Even if you don’t see the benefits at first, with time you’ll realize, that things are not as bad as they may have seemed. Think of how you usually deem unpleasant situations. Do you see the glass half-full or half-empty? Could you be more positive? The answer to the latter question is "yes," because there is always room for an improvement and here are a few hints how to inch toward more positive thinking.

Keep a notepad where you write down positive statements. You can make them up for yourself (for example, I will achieve my goals) or note those that you come across in newspapers, books or on TV (for example, Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's learning to dance in the rain). Some experts say you should also visualize what you say, so try closing your eyes and bring to mind an image of what you're saying. For example, when you say to yourself "I will pass this test," picture yourself with a test paper, your name, and a good grade written on it. Enjoy the good feeling, then repeat this task as often as you can, and thus trick your mind into believing you will pass the test. This technique, however, is not going to work by itself. Positive thinking works only when accompanied by hard work and self-discipline. The last but not the least important thing is getting rid of your fears. If you truly did all that you could to succeed, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Fear is a strong anchor that holds us down. So, what are you waiting for? Raise that anchor and sail away into the sunset.

EXAMPLE


1. People don’t achieve their goals because of their fear, negative thinking, an inability to deal with failures, and poor self-image.

2. We should think in "the-glass-is-half-full" manner. Look for the positive sides, focus on the benefits, and remember, that everything happens for a reason.

3. Keep a notepad with your own positive affirmations, visualize what you expect to experience in the future, put effort in achieving your goals, and most importantly, get rid of the fear that keeps you from succeeding in life.

WORDS TO REMEMBER

notion = (n.) an idea, belief, conception
deem = (v.) consider, regard in a specific way
anchor = (n.) a heavy object attached to a chain that holds a vessel to the sea bottom

ACTIVITY IDEA


Make a poster with your own positive affirmations. Use different colours, fonts, and techniques to personalize it. Put it somewhere you can see it complete it whenever you hear or read an affirmation that is inspiring.