How to Think Positive Even with a Negative Bias

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I’ve realized that telling people to just think positive is one of the worst pieces of advice I’ve ever given. It seems so simple, right? Just be positive and live for the good stuff, but oh man, I was so wrong about that. Today, I'm diving into why it’s not really that easy and what we can actually do about it. We’re going to explore how our minds work and why we really can’t just flip a negative thought into a positive one on demand. So let’s unpack this together and figure out how we can take control of our thoughts instead of letting them run wild.

Just think positive, just look on the positive side of life. Really easy, simple anybody can do it. So why do the majority think in a negative way? It's not as simple as thinking positive, and in this episode of Stillness in the Storms I explained why.

Stephen Webb takes us on an insightful journey through the complexities of human thought in this compelling episode. He starts by addressing a common piece of advice—just think positive—which he admits is not as straightforward as it seems. After years of sharing this advice, he has come to understand that simply trying to force a positive mindset can be both unrealistic and unhelpful. Instead, he advocates for a more thoughtful approach to our inner dialogue, one that honors the intricacies of our emotional landscape.

He breaks down the concept of the mind into three distinct parts: the instinctual mind, which reacts quickly; the subconscious mind, which draws from past experiences; and the conscious mind, where intentional thinking occurs. Each of these minds plays a vital role in how we process information and react to life’s challenges. Stephen emphasizes that while we cannot change a thought once it has appeared, we can choose how to respond to it. He likens thoughts to trains coming into a station, suggesting that we can let unhelpful thoughts pass without boarding them.

In a world where positivity is often glorified, Stephen reminds us that negative thoughts have their place too. They can alert us to potential dangers and help us navigate life more effectively. By recognizing and managing our thoughts, rather than suppressing them, we empower ourselves to create a more balanced mental state. This episode is a call to action for listeners to engage mindfully with their thoughts, encouraging them to choose which ones to nurture. It’s a refreshing perspective that highlights the importance of embracing all facets of our mental experiences for a more authentic and resilient life.

Takeaways:

• The advice to just think positive is overly simplistic and often unhelpful.
• It's crucial to recognize that we cannot simply change a negative thought into a positive one.
• Our subconscious mind tends to reinforce the thoughts we focus on, whether they are positive or negative.
• Negative thoughts have evolutionary benefits that can keep us safe in dangerous situations.
• Learning to manage our thoughts involves choosing which ones to focus on rather than trying to change them.
• Emotional weight attached to thoughts determines how our subconscious mind prioritizes them in our awareness.