On Being Positive

12 Principles for Happiness

By Kara Lane

(Found...)

Take personal responsibility for your life

You control your thoughts and actions and thus control your life.  Other people, fate and circumstances may impact your life, but you have the final say as to how your life is lived.

Be honest

Honesty builds your self-esteem and improves your relationships.  It takes a brave person to be honest because it increases your vulnerability, but the reward is worth the risk.

Take control of your thinking

Develop the positive intent to control your thinking, rather than letting it be controlled by ego, other people or circumstances.

Focus on the present

It is only in the present that you can effect change.  The past is gone and the future hasn't arrived.

Forgive

Forgiving is something you do for yourself.  When you forgive yourself or another person, you let go of painful memories and reclaim your happiness and peace of mind.

Let go of fear

When you overcome a fear which has kept you from living your best possible life, you experience a feeling of freedom and exhilaration.  Fear only has the power you give it.

Lighten up and enjoy life

Life was meant to be enjoyed, and enjoying life teaches you to be grateful.  Whether you are enjoying a baby's smile or a sunset with your lover, be grateful to be alive and enjoy every minute of your life.

Take care of yourself

Focus on good nutrition, regular exercise, getting adequate sleep and controlling your stress level.   When you feel good physically, it positively affects your mental state, too.

Love unconditionally

When you strip everything else away, all we really want is to love and be loved.  Loving unconditionally is the greatest gift you can give yourself and the world!

Keep learning and growing

When you continue to learn and grow, you expand your inner and outer world.  There is an unlimited amount of information and it is yours for the taking.

Focus on what you want and take action

When you focus on what you want, your chances of getting it go up dramatically.  So don't waste your precious energy focusing on what you don't want – save it for what matters.

Develop your spiritual life

This is a personal matter which will be addressed differently by each person, but it is a critical step to powerful living.  Developing your spiritual life gives your life meaning and purpose.