Positive people are proactive. They can see a need, and they’ll take action to fill that need in a measurably appropriate fashion, respecting boundaries.
This changes others’ outlook because someone has validated their need, proving the world is not as scary as it might appear.
How can you make the world less scary for someone?
Positive People build a tribe of other positive people.
There is strength in numbers. Positive people multiply their influence by surrounding themselves with others who want the same positive outlook.
The by-product of having a tribe is finding encouragement when it’s difficult to be positive.
Feeling encouraged is how positive people impact others’ outlook.
(This is the 4th of eight ways positive people improve others’ outlook on life. Here’s the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ways positive people improve others’ outlook on life.)
Positive People bring out the best in others.
Strengths. That’s what positive people look for in each person they meet.
Positive people minimize the weaknesses and magnify the strengths of everyone around them. They share the fact that there is always room for improvement.
Other people feel empowered when they’re with a positive person, and especially when their outlook changes from what they can’t do… to what they can do!
This post is the 3rd of 8 ways positive people change other people’s outlook. The first is here …
and the second is here.
It’s quite a journey to consider these 8 ways positive people help and improve other people’s outlook on life – in fact, I’m guessing they’re more than eight… maybe you can add your thoughts in the comments?
I’m trying not to overwhelm you with all eight right now, rather, I’m sharing one every day for the next eight days for you to think about… (today is the third, obviously.)
There’s every chance we won’t be good at all eight – even if we are pursuing becoming a Positive Person. No worries. Optimists always know there is room for improvement.
Positive People look for things for which to be thankful.
Gratitude as a way of life is part of a positive person’s belief system. Even if they’re not a born optimist, positive people have trained themselves to be grateful.
This is the 2nd of 8 ways Positive People help other people’s outlook on life.
8 ways positive people help other people’s outlook on life – I’m guessing they’re more than eight… maybe you can add some?
I won’t overwhelm you with all eight right now, rather, I’ll share one every day for the next eight days for you to think about… Here’s the first one from yesterday.
There’s every chance we won’t be good at all eight – even if we are pursuing becoming a Positive Person. No worries. Optimists always know there is room for improvement.
Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering the men and women who died while serving their country, the United States of America. (If you’re interested, click to learn a few things you may not know about the origins of Memorial Day.)
I like this statement of General George S. Patton,
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived”
~ George S. Patton
In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, asking people to stop and remember at 3:00 PM as a symbolic act of unity.
Today, be the one who pauses (and perhaps leads others to pause) to remember and then give thanks to God for those who gave their life for freedom.
Positive people understand everything isn’t roses and champagne. There are sacrifices made for every good in our life, and oh, such pain and grief when we lose a loved one to death in war. However, by honoring those people who sacrificed, we also can celebrate with joy every good thing we hold valuable.
“The way to do a great deal is to keep on doing a little.
The way to do nothing at all is to be continually resolving that you will do everything.”
In one area.
How about you?
In what one area have you moved past “deciding to do” and are actually doing?
If you were to search for “field of daffodils” you’d quickly find at least two instances where women planted bulbs, a few at a time, till there were acres covered in more than a million blooms. Visitors marvel at the sight of these magnificent gardens in East Texas and California.
What little thing will you do… today, tomorrow, the next day, and the 365 days after that… which will add up to a great deal?
What you will do matters… all you need is to do it.
Why is this a 5-minute Friday Positive Prompt? Because you now have the weekend to give this concept a little thought. Leave a comment once you’ve begun your “little” – I’d love to encourage you to keep on going till it’s a great deal!
Cheers!
Lori
PS – The lady who inspired me to begin this PositiveThanksLiving site has been posting positive items on her Facebook page for more than two years. She inspired me a great deal! (And as the 53rd prompt here since the end of March, it’s just a little, but hopefully, it’ll become a great deal.)
A few days ago a positivity prompt directed us to pay attention using all our senses to things for which we could be thankful.
I found myself noticing all the little things:
And when I posted a picture in our private Facebook group, a writer friend, Jessica Martinez, responded,
“I love the little things! Each one is like a whisper from God. “I’m here, I love you, enjoy!”
I just needed to share that statement!
Positive people know they’re loved. And they see all those little things they enjoy as another way God is showing them that He loves them.
In what ways is God showing you He is here, and that He loves you?
Jessica Martinez is the author of two short stories on Amazon, “Elsie” and “Long Road Home“. Check them out!
Purpose is the place where your great joy meets the worlds great need.
What are you involved in when you feel great joy?
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.
~ Frederick Buechner
I believe we all are given that gift of purpose – it may take a bit longer for some to find it. And sometimes, I believe, that spot between our gladness and the world’s need changes, or deepens, or shifts, or grows.
Do you have times when you’re in that place referenced above? (Or in the image below.) How often? Can you be there more? How?
We learn to praise God not by compliments, but by paying attention.
~ Frederick Buechner quote
What are you thankful for, today? Use all your senses to begin praising God.
Try these articles…
Our conversations can be diverted to many topics and not all of them will be uplifting. Try to steer the conversations you’re involved in today toward what good is found in everyone’s life.
Make it a game – see how many “good things” you can collect!
Will this focus on the positive be difficult? Perhaps. However, whenever you’re in a group, you do have the opportunity to lead. It isn’t hard to ask a question. Just try this one: “Tell me something good that happened today…” and see what happens.
There has to be something good in a day! And if that person you’re trying to connect with is stumped, then let them think of the past week.
Being positive is a habit, the same as being negative. Let your positive habit lead those around you. Let it lead them toward feeling good about themselves and their lives. It’s as easy as asking one question. Begin with your family. If distance separates you, then text or email. Model the habit of talking about the good.
So – I’ll ask you! Tell me something good that’s happened today!
… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
How could you be kind today? (You can begin with your spouse and family!)
Leave a comment to add to the list!
It will just take a moment, but what a positive perk you can introduce to everyone in your life.
Positive people know they’re loved, are thankful, encourage others, know the value of being encouraged themselves, and take positive action on their goals!
That’s what PositiveThanksLiving is all about!
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter thank you think!
Be kind to my friend!
(Yes, that’s you!)
We often speak badly about ourselves, to ourselves. Stop it!
Would you say some of those negative statements you think about yourself to a friend? (No. I didn’t think so.)
Today, treat yourself as your own friend. Give yourself some positive, verbal pats-on-the-back. If you need to give yourself a break – then do it! If you need to give yourself a swift kick-in-the-pants – then do it! Look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you are loved and valued. Because you are!
You have people who love and admire you – now it’s time for you to do that for yourself. You are:
Yes. Take heart.
You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think!
