42 CHOICES | 2016 AUTUMN ISSUE
THE “REAL GIFT” BY DELORES RAMSEY MCLAUGHLIN
hen you change the way you think, you change the way you live. Your attitude is determined by your thoughts. Your attitude about family, friends, work, yourself and situations can affect how you perceive others and self. If negative, it can interfere with having positive relationships.
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What people think or say about us is important to most of us and can affect the way we react to the comment. You determine how you feel about yourself which is not based on anyone else’s opinion. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” A positive attitude is from the inside out. In other words, what goes on within us is a major factor in how we react through our thoughts and behavior. When you have a positive attitude, it is a gift not only for yourself but for others to experience. The gift wrapping on the outside of a gift box is beautiful but the real gift is inside. When you change the way you think to be mainly positive, you change the way you live which encourages self-worth, knowing yourself and caring for others. Your thoughts are powerful tools and if used positively can make a difference in how others react or respond to you. Are you demonstrating a positive attitude at work? Home? Building relationships?
Your relationships are formulated by your thoughts. Are you driving others away with mean and uncaring thoughts? Negative or positive reactions? You can improve your life by practicing the following strategies to promote positive thinking:
• Less judgment and more encouragement of others. • Be willing to actively listen to others with an intent to gain knowledge. • Recognize and make every person feel respected and accepted. • Look closely at what is on the inside of you to encourage others around