You will often see happy faces and big smiles as Friday comes around. The anticipation of a relaxing weekend uplifts the mood and enchants the mind. Contrarily, Monday brings the notion of impending workload and drudgery of toil with it, dampening our spirit. Have you ever wondered why? It is because people feel happy when external circumstances are in their control and aligned with their desires. The opposite leads to feelings of misery and frustration.
The good news is it does not have to be this way. We can be happy—no matter what day of the week or situation. It comes down to how we manage our mind. When our mind is controlled, it becomes our ally. And if unrestrained, it becomes our biggest adversary. If we wish to always feel happy and positive, we must begin by improving the thoughts we harbor in our mind by learning the art of positive thinking.
Let us explore some powerful techniques to harness the power of the mind to remain happy.
Practice Gratitude
We often fail to recognize the abundant blessings that surround us. The ability to see, hear, walk on Earth, breathe fresh air, and consume nourishing food are all gifts from the Universe. Unfortunately, our conditioning tends to magnify shortcomings and scarcity, leading to anxieties and worries.
We can reverse this cycle of negative emotions by practicing gratitude. Let us begin by feeling grateful for the countless graces that God has bestowed upon us, and with such positive sentiments, eradicate any sense of deficiency. This shift in perspective alone can provide us with a million reasons to feel happy.
Sustain Positive Thinking
Positive thinking is more than just a mindset; it is a habit of nurturing joyful thoughts and adopting an optimistic outlook. Positive thinkers exude cheerfulness without relying on specific conditions to feel happy. They have mastered the skill of staying uplifted even when faced with life’s challenges that might otherwise lead to unhappiness.
One powerful technique involves deliberately replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. For instance, if anger surfaces, consciously shift your focus to thoughts of love and patience. The positive thoughts need not be directed at the same person or situation that triggered the negative emotions. Consistently practicing this approach helps cultivate a positive state of mind.
Take Ownership of Your Emotions
Majority of people focus on negative circumstances that are beyond their control. Hence, they fail to take responsibility for what they can change, which is their emotions, beliefs, and behavior. They develop the unproductive habit of playing the blame game and disregard any personal responsibility to improve their moods.
