Power of Positivity

Anyone that knew my Paw-Paw, Dovard (Lucky) Counselman, would easily say that he was one of the most, if not the most, positive person they had ever met. He was born in 1921, went through the depression, was in the air force, married almost 70 years, had over 20 heart surgeries, had a son that fought drug addiction, yet you would have thought everything in his life was perfect. It was actually quite annoying at times:)

He traveled many places to give speeches on the power of positive thinking. He was convinced that if he thought and believed he could make a hole in one of the golf course, he actually could. I believe he had 6 hole in ones in his life, with the last being when he was 87. He was an amazing example of how the way we think influences our actions, which therefore influences who we are and how we live.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Phillipians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

These are just two verses that show just how powerful our mind can be. What we think about has a direct influence on how we live.

We live in a time where everything is problem focused. I hear people constantly talking about how bad our world is, how awful their job is, how terrible their child is, and the list goes on and on. I also believe that many of our conversations with our friends or acquaintances are problem-focused. People normally "vent" to others about negative events that are occuring in their life. I am convinced that if we could concentrate half as much on the positive parts of our lives as we do negative, we would be drastically changed.

At our small group meeting this weekend, we talked about the godly and the ungoldly. We discussed how important it is to have people in our life that not only point out the ungodly parts in our life, but also the godly. How encouraging would it be to have a friend pointing out the godly parts of you?

Positive thinking, setting our minds on Christ and good, pure, honorable things can change our lives!!!! My profession focuses a lot on people's problems- that is why my profession exists; however, the people I see that change the most rapidly are those who choose to look at the exceptions in their life, at the times where they don't want to kill their boss, or at the times they are proud of their children.

I pray that when I have children I notice their positives much more than their negatives. I think parents can sometimes fall into the trap of feeling like their job is to look at what their child is doing "wrong" and get them back on the "right" path. While this is very important, what about all the things they are already doing well? I am a huge believer in positive reinforcement- on your children, friends, spouse, co-workers.

I encourage everyone to use the power of positive thinking and to challenge your thoughts. Notice the good in your life. Tell others about great things they are doing. I know it will make a tremendous difference- I had postive thinking embodied by one of the best men I knew. He always believed he would pass away on the golf course, and he did at the age of 89 just a little over a year ago- Now that's some powerful positive thinking!!!

Here are some pics- Our last father's day together and the 2 love birds enjoying the beach a few months before he passed away...gosh I miss him and crying as I write this...thankful for these tissues in my counseling office- not always used just for clients:)