positive_approach

The Positive Approach

Give up smoking; abstain form alcohol just say no to drugs; stay away from cholesterol, red meat, sugar, fats and on and on. The list is endless. Today, so often when we speak of change, we talk of giving up bad habits, dieting and abstaining from harmful influence. While this approach can help reduce negative and toxic, it can also lead to feelings of deprivation, shame and inadequacy. Change by only focusing on removing negative aspects, without some sense of rewards, can easily become self-defeating behavior. Wince our inner essence is one of positive growth, our unconscious mind can quickly sabotage efforts that do not offer new and positive advancement.

An awareness of this inner essence, of the ability to grow and actualize, adapt and change, can offer a more positive approach. This begins with the basic premise that acceptance equals change. This means that we start first with an affirmation of our ability to change. This differs from trying to change ourselves so that we are acceptable. A positive approach can be built by learning simple ways of adding quality choices to our lives.

We begin with the body:

Nutrition:

Add more water. Water is literally our life blood; cleansing, cooling and maintaining bodily function.

Add cleansing foods. Rices and foods high in fiber aid the body's elimination of waste products, refreshing the body.

Add more time for eating, slower eating assists digestion and allows the flavor of food to be savored.

Add more eating with friends, socializing enhances one's body and spirit and eating with a group usually improves the food nutritionally than when eating alone.

Add a specialty in cooking (Middle Eastern, Oriental, etc.), along with making food more appealing with garnishes and served in a more comfortable surroundings.

Cleansing:

Add more bathing, bubble baths, long showers, whirlpools and hot tubbing; provides relaxation as well as cleansing the body.

Add more sweating, saunas, steam baths, sweat lodges; they can help with the elimination of toxins and waste.

Add more fresh air. Open windows rather than relying on air conditioning. Take time to draw in deeper, refreshing breaths.

Exercise/movement:

Add more activities that increase circulation. Learn new sports, games and dances. Celebrate your body in movement.

Add more warm up, gentle stretching, and care in your athletic training routine. A body better prepared for activity suffers less injuries and enjoys more.

Add aerobic activities which build stamina which offers more energy for more activities.

Sleep/relaxation:

Add more sleeping time. Dream is an important time to process, sort our and practice problem solving skills.

Add more rest, relaxation exercises; meditation; simple, quiet time for yourself. Time doing nothing can add much.

Add time for watching sunsets, birds, playing, clouds; walking aimlessly and letting your mind and body settle and relax.

Add more massage. Using massage and other bodywork to maintain and enhance wellness can go more profitable than just using it after injury to dis-ease occurs.

Sexuality:

Add more time for sexual experiences. Take leisurely approach to express more quality, creativity and playfulness in your body.

Add more variety experiencing yourself sexually with your whole body, rather than just genitally.

We continue with the mind:

Intellect:

Add intellectual challenges; take classes outside your area of expertise; read someone of an opposite opinion, opening your mind.

Add talking to someone different from yourself. Study another language or culture.

Add stretching your mind farther with games and puzzles, increasing mental agility and playfulness.

Add time for creativity, day dreaming, imagination, fantasizing and imagery. Full explore the limitless possibilities.

Add more positive attitude. Use affirmations; give yourself credit for progress by keeping score well.

Add time for problem solving through talking things out loud, looking at the dynamics involved in a situation and opportunities for creativity.

Emotion:

Add talking about your feelings. Let tears roll when they need and holler out in anger.

Add acknowledging that feelings are a natural process of life to experienced in their richness rather than be controlled.

Add professional help in the form of therapy, counseling and crisis intervention when needed. Asking for help is a form of self-help.

Social/networking:

Add more kinds of relationships, casual friends, acquaintances, as well as a primary partner to meet a variety of needs.

Add more contact with other people. Simple ways like phoning and touching base, writing a letter, or a quick lunch can add much to your day.

Add a broader base of support by seeking friends both male and female from a wide range of ages, backgrounds, cultures and activities.

Add a support group that can help you do a reality check and see that you are not alone in your struggles.

Add to your own power by supporting groups which collectively promote positive growth of the world.

We finish the spirit:

Add traditional ritual/ceremonies by attending a synagogue or a church. Rejoin once again with the community of faith.

Add time for relation to nature, with slow walks, visits to parks, interaction with animals and viewing nature's beautiful patterns.

Add religious tolerance by celebrating with others of different faiths. See that their beliefs add to the Universal Spirit rather than contradict yours.

Add more forgiveness to your life, realize that you are doing the best you can. Acknowledge that you can only be responsible for the things that you have the power to control.

Add thankfulness, accepting that we most usually receive many of the things we need if at times they don't meet our expectations.

Add as much laughter as possible, releasing and letting go with humor is music to the spirit.

Add energy practices such as Tai Chi, Yoga, Aikido, etc. which allow the flow of energy and spirit to move harmoniously.

In general, give generously to yourself. Change does not need to be a grueling road of deprivation, ironclad will power and pain. You can add considerably to your life by viewing it as a continual choosing of options. You can work and play toward a goal of making better and better quality choices. This can be promoted by placing the higher value on yourself and fostering a patience and self-awareness that leads to greater self-love. With simple additions, you can more often realize the abundant fulfillment multiplying in your life.