Positivity is Spelt with 4 P's

Today marks a very special occasion.  It marks my 100th post! When I started this blog I never imagined I would make it to the century mark.  I thought today I would write about something that I have been asked a number of times over the past year, but have yet to address.  I am often asked how I capable of remaining positive, despite going through such a difficult time.  Additionally, people are often curious if once your mind is trained to stay positive, is it easier to stay positive in difficult times.

I think my past experiences in running help a lot with my positive outlook.  While at a competition I always had to remain positive before a race.  If you didn't enter the race with a positive frame of mind, you had no chance of winning.  Even in the races that I was greatly out matched, I knew my higher pain threshold would give me a chance to win if I could just be in contention near the end of the race. 

This mentality has stuck with me for my life.  No matter what the odds I always remain positive.  When we are faced with a personal disaster, regardless of what it may be, I don't see the point of thinking negatively.  In no circumstances can I see how negative thinking will help you get through your most difficult hours (feel free to challenge me if you think I am wrong :)).

So what if we don't all have past experiences that have helped us train our mind to think positively?  How can we sustain positive thinking when faced with our biggest challenges?  I believe that it takes 4 different P's in order achieve a Positive Mindset, regardless of the challenge.

Peace - When we are first faced with a life changing challenge, the first thing we need to do is actually taking a step back and make peace with it.  For better or worse your reality has changed, so you just need to make peace with it.  It is okay to be frightened, sad, angry, terrified, inconsolable, etc.  Take the time to embrace and work through these feelings, and the make peace with your new reality.  [Find a more in depth discussion on finding peace at Don't Worry It Is Okay to be Petrified]

Perspective - This challenge will also change your personal perspectives for sure.  This will occur naturally, as you move along the journey of defeating this challenge.  The most important thing to do now is to add outside perspective to the battle.  Often when we are faced with difficult challenges it is easy to get overwhelmed.  By finding outside perspective, we can find inspiration that others are also going through what we are or perhaps something even more difficult challenges.  [Find a more in depth discussion on finding perspective at Everyone Needs Inspiration in Their Darkest Hours]

Passion - When we battle a difficult challenge, (perhaps a fight for our lives) we need to have something that even in our darkest hours, gives us something to fight for.  This is different for everyone, but often will include:
-relationships with loved ones and families
- Hobbies that are personal passions
-the promise of a future we really want. 

I find that the most successful way to achieve this step is a combination of the three.  Our relationships with loved ones and promise of a brighter future provide us with the fuel we need to fight our battle.  The personal passions provide us with distraction, enjoyment, pleasure, and happiness especially in times when these emotions are required the most. [Find a more in depth discussion on personal passions at Taking Steps to True Happiness]

Purpose - When we come out the other side of a life changing battle, we will almost always want to give back.  While going through the journey, be open to all the possibilities that will present themselves to you. They will add a level a purpose to your life that you might not have had before.  This will help in your darkest hours by keeping you focused and positive. Just a word of caution, remember to always focus on defeating your personal challenge before embarking to far along the road of executing any new purpose you may have found.  [Find a more in depth discussion on finding purpose at Finding Purpose for my Life]

I truly believe that no matter what personal challenges or disasters you may face if you follow the 4 P's you will be capable of keeping the positive mind frame required to win your battle!

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