Well, good luck to you.

From what I've experienced and witnessed, the people who most believe in this MAGIC version of positive thinking ( not the practical version, which requires physical work in addition to the positive thinking), who claim that it really works, are always either already lucky to begin with (i.e. lots of money, extra good looking, happen to live in a very socially active and growing area, etc), or are simply good at self-medicating with brain chemicals.

Nothing wrong with looking on the bright side, setting goals and visualizing positive results, I'm all for it. My own ongoing motto for the rest of the 21st Century is "find the bright side of things, even if you have to carry your own flashlight."

But I'm sorry, there's no magic.

Yes. You have to focus and have a burning desire and be persistent in evoking your desires. That is key. And it works.

It's not really enough to think positive. You have to believe positive too. And if you don't really believe something can happen, it won't. It's hard to change your beliefs but it can be done.

No. We live in a physical world. Physical actions are required. Using "positive thinking" however will bring about favorable conditions within which you can act. The right people and situations begin to come to you and open the way for you to create your new reality.

i go out of my way to help people not because i expect something, because i feel like everyone should be that way. it makes me feel good knowing i helped someone and i would hope someone would help me if need be. but like i said i try to do nothing but good for people and be/think positive and yet only bad things seem to come my way. and everytime theres the chance that something good may happen to me, instead something terrible happens. it sucks

Two possibilities and both have solutions.

1. You may be suffering from depression and a doctor could help.

2. You are dealing with a karmic issue probably from your family or ancestors and a spiritual counselor/worker can help.

^ You don't understand the law of attraction. The physical is energy which is shaped by the subconscious mind. Believing and persistence and a burning desire creates your reality. Thinking is being.

I do understand it very well. And no amount of positive thinking will cause me to suddenly be employed without submitting a job application. The positive thinking will create opportunities and bring the right people into my life. But if I sit in my living room and never apply for a job, I will not have a job.

Yes you will.

'The Power of Positive Thinking' [By Remez Sasson]



Positive thinking is a mental and emotional attitude that focuses on the bright side of life and expects positive results.




A positive person anticipates happiness, health and success, and believes he or she can overcome any obstacle and difficulty.


Positive thinking is not accepted by everyone. Some, consider it as nonsense, and scoff at people who follow it, but there is a growing number of people, who accept positive thinking as a fact, and believe in its effectiveness.


It seems that this subject is gaining popularity, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it.


To use it in your life, you need more than just to be aware of its existence. You need to adopt the attitude of positive thinking in everything you do.


'How Positive Thinking Works':


[The following story illustrates how this power works:]



Allan applied for a new job, but he didn't believe he will get it, since his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and unworthy of success.


He had a negative attitude toward himself, and therefore, believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him.


Allan's mind was occupied with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job, for the whole week preceding the job interview. He actually, anticipated failure.


On the day of the interview, he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a wrinkled shirt and without eating breakfast.


During the interview, he was tense, negative, hungry and worried about his shirt. All this, distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently, he materialized his fear and did not get the job.


Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview, he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.


In the evening before the interview, he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview, he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.


Jim made a good impression and got the job.


What do we learn from these two stories? Was there any magic used?

No, everything happened in a natural way.



'Positive Thinking Is a Way of Life':


With a positive attitude we experience pleasant and happy feelings. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy, and happiness. Our whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even our health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall, our voice is more powerful, and our body language shows the way we feel.


'Positive and negative thinking are contagious':


We affect, and are affected by the people we meet, in one way or another. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through words, thoughts and feelings, and through body language.


Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive people, and prefer to avoid negative ones?


People are more disposed to help us, if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.


Negative thoughts, words and attitude, create negative and unhappy feelings, moods and behavior. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.



'Positive Thinking Practical Instructions':



In order to turn the mind toward the positive, some inner work is required, since attitude and thoughts do not change overnight.


1. Read about this subject, think about its benefits, and persuade yourself to try it. The power of your thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping your life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange, give it a try. You have nothing to lose, but only to gain.


2. Ignore what other people say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.


3. Use your imagination to visualize only favorable and beneficial situations.


4. Use positive words in your inner dialogues, or when talking with others.


5. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively.


6. Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it, and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. If the negative thought returns, replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you have to choose to look at one of them, and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively, and to ignore negative thoughts.


7. In case you experience inner resistance and difficulties when replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, do not give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.


8. It doesn't matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks. It might take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they will.


9. Another useful technique is the repetition of affirmations. This technique is similar to creative visualization, and can be used together with it.
The other articles at this website, about the power of concentration, willpower, self-discipline and peace of mind, also contribute to the development of a positive mind, and are recommended for reading and practicing.

Okay maybe I am not understanding. If you can manifest anything using only your thoughts without taking any action in the physical world, why did you join a dating site? Why did you take the physical action of signing up here rather than just making a partner appear at your doorstep using only positive thinking?

I'm not trying to be argumentative but I'm obviously missing something. Your profile says your looking for a relationship. Why did you join a dating site to find one?

I understand your point and, without doubt, belief coupled with action is a powerful combination and makes sense.

On the other hand, one of the two best jobs I ever had was, literally, handed to me during a positive thinking adventure. I'd moved to Texas for a position, used every penny I had to do so and when I got here, the fella I was to work with told me, "I hired my nephew. I'm sorry."

With less than a dollar in my pocket, a guitar and some clothes (I couldn't carry more) I set off to hitch 1100 miles 'home.' At first, I was pissed. A few miles into it, I started looking at it as something else - No door closes without opening another.

Two miles later, a guy gave me a ride, we got talking about guitars and music. Long story short, he owned his own business, gave me a job, gave me use of a trailer home that he normally rented out, taught me a trade and I taught him to play guitar.

He's still one of my best friends.

A simple mindset - I'm worth it and good things DO happen - created a miracle.

That isn't the only successful example I've experienced, either.

I don't believe in magic. I do believe that belief changes circumstances. There's a technical term for it - synchronicity.

But see, I wasn't disagreeing with this kind of scenario. I specifically said that positive thinking will bring the right people and situations to you. I used the job application as an example of getting out there and taking action. You were not sitting in your living room thinking positively when the phone suddenly rang with an incredible job offer. You were out actively pursuing your dream and the situation shifted and you met the right person. I absolutely believe that's how the law of attraction works.

I have experienced (and continue to experience) synchronistic events that bring to me opportunities to create the life I want. I use the law of attraction daily. And it works. I am not disputing it at all. But I see other people who take no steps to manifest their dreams except positive thinking and then wonder why nothing happens.

yes, if your thinking "a bad day", then guess what... chances are you'll have a bad day because it's already in your mind...when your thinking "a good day", how many times does that day go bad? projecting your thoughts, it does work...

Oh, yeah. You're spot on, Ruth. I didn't mean to imply that I was sittin' on my dead azz wishing for something good to happen. The example was one of doing/experiencing one thing, believing something else could/would/should happen and voila!

I could have phrased the original post better. It certainly wasn't me taking a poke at ya.

I didn't take it that way at all. I am enjoying the conversation and not just trying to prove my point. Sometimes it's hard to communicate with just the written word. I need to use more emoticons.

Cool.

According to this guy, we are all right.

http://youtu.be/2nQK87ku7z4

An example of law of attraction in my life:

Two years ago I began to work on my beliefs about myself and having a serious relationship. I knew deep down I felt as though I didn't deserve a loving partner. It wasn't a conscious belief and overall I'm am optimistic person. But I was repeatedly attracting men who were not good for me. I knew I needed to change my core beliefs about myself and what I wanted. I spent several months doing this and began to focus on attracting the kind of man I wanted and raising my vibration to match my desire.

Around that time I decided I should get out more and do things I enjoyed doing with other people. I started a hiking club at work. On one of these very first hikes was the beginning of a relationship I have been in for the past two years with a wonderful man. He is truly my soulmate and I believe we found each other through the law of attraction.