Usual behavior

If they asked you what your usual behavior is, what would you answer? First of all, would such answer be totally sincere? You certainly believe it would, but... are you sure? Don't you think that you might embellish it a little, try to make it sound more positive than it actually is? If you have a negative trait in your character such as resentment, for example, wouldn't you present it as love of justice? Envy might become a feeling of unfairness, rudeness could be described as self-assertion, and so on. Therefore, be careful in your self-examination. It will greatly help you in truly understanding yourself. 

Perseverance

If your motivation is strong enough, sooner or later you will decide to make some changes in yourself. But you will not see results immediately. For example, if you are the "aggressive" type and try to remain calm without reacting aggressively, you will succeed one time and fail two. It’s OK. If you persevere, your failures will become fewer and fewer You will soon realize that - slowly and naturally - your attitude has changed. Once you become less aggressive, your whole life will become more serene. 

P.S. Similarly, you can become more relaxed, more assertive, more patient, more focused, more self-aware… anything!

Opposite Thoughts

Your mind is like a never-stopping machine. Its job is to think, and this is what it does all the time. Now, a question: do you prefer to spend a lot of time with a friend who is always complaining, nagging, criticizing or with one who is cheerful, pleasant, relaxing? Easy answer, isn't it? So, why do you often accept - or even welcome - unpleasant, worrisome, fearful thoughts rather than try to entertain pleasant, comforting, fearless ones? Yes, "why"?

Self-Talk

Talking to yourself is the only way to teach yourself something. So, if you want to learn anything new, (to become more "positive", for example) you need three steps:

1. Accept the new idea (If you refuse it a priori, it’s useless even to try.)

2. Absorb it, make it your own until you thoroughly believe it.

3. Apply it in your life.

There is no other way.

Water

You know that life could not exist without water. As plants dry up in long periods of drought, you would die if you didn't drink. On a spiritual level, such a situation could be compared to "attitude". Water is a positive attitude, drought is a negative one. When you are kind, accepting, patient, you nourish your soul in a beneficial way. When you are rude, resentful, intolerant, you hurt others but mostly yourself. The result? A serene life versus an existence lived in never-ending turmoil. 

Beliefs and Behavior

Here are some basic aspects of the most deeply-rooted human thinking. They have been labeled as either positive or negative thinking.

* “I am good.” or “I’m not good enough.” 

* “I am capable.” or “I’m not up to the job.” 

* “I can be successful.” or “I’m usually a failure.” ”.  

* “People like me.” or “People are against me.” 

* “The world is basically good.” or “The world is an ugly mess.”

Which of these beliefs are yours? Be aware that they determine your behavior and, consequently, the quality of your life.

Stuff

How important are "things" to you? You need a sufficient amount of stuff to lead an acceptable life but you definitely don't need all the additional objects you are used to surrounding yourself with. You have been convinced that you must have this or that in order to be happy, successful, fulfilled. Must you really? Absolutely not. Why? Because, once you get something new, you enjoy it for a short while and then... start looking for something "more" new. Nothing material is enough to provide lasting happiness and fulfillment.