Zen Habits, a blog that covers all sorts of topics related to positive life changes, has a good post on the three secrets to happiness. I think most of us here at WW already have some basic knowledge about what doesn’t bring happiness. When you live every day as if you were on the cusp of tragedy, it certainly brings into focus the basic truth that wealth and material gains won’t help much to alleviate our pain and promote well-being. Regardless, our perspective also causes us to lose focus on some of the other important aspects of happiness and health.
If you take a look at the Zen Habits post, pay particular attention to #3. This is something that I think most of us have a very difficult time with.
As far as #2 — positive thinking — this is a controversial topic amongst the professional worrisome. Personally, I try not to advocate “positive thinking” here on this blog because most people confuse it with thought control. Controlling your thoughts is impossible. Trying to control your thoughts as if you could you change your mind by brute force is a complete waste of your time. So, once again, let me remind you that positive thinking is not related to controlling your thoughts. Rather, think of it like positive redirection. By redirecting your attention (not simply your thoughts) to more positive things, you’re able to give yourself a unique way of approaching your problems. This positive redirection can become an unconscious habit if you work at it.
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March 23, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Leo
Hi Josh, thanks for the mention of the Zen Habits article … what an interesting commentary on it. First, I’m glad you liked the article. Second, thanks for bringing to my attention the fact that positive thinking can be controversial in some circles. I’d never thought of it in the light of thought control, but I can see how some people would think of it that way.
For myself, I’ve always been a pretty positive person, I think, but of course I have many times of doubt, sadness, depression, anxiety and so on. When I spoke of positive thinking in my article, I was thinking of when I would tell myself that I can do something, even when I had doubts about whether I could. I think that’s more a form of self-encouragement than thought control. It’s like having a little motivational coach inside your head, telling you not to give up, and that you can do this. You’ll still have the negative thoughts, but if your self-coach is doing his job, he’ll notice them right away and start yelling positive encouragement.
So, in a rather longish way, I’m saying I agree with your assessment that it’s positive redirection rather than thought control. And also now I’ve confessed to having voices in my head. Thanks again, Josh … for the link and especially for provoking some thought on this issue.
April 11, 2007 at 12:11 am
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