The Power of Positive Thinking – The Secret of Happiness?

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Staying positive in the face of difficulties is an ongoing concern for most of

Positive thinking when change happens

us. As life gets more complicated, and the economy takes a downturn, it can be tough to hang on to the knowledge that our troubles will pass in the end, and we’ll be able to ride through our difficulties and find a state of peace and happiness within. I’ve been thinking a lot about how people manage to stay happy when they experience setbacks, and I’ve realized that a large part of the secret to happiness lies in the ability to remain upbeat and positive.

When a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, it left me questioning how life can be essentially kind, and still allow events like that to take place. Vibrant and alive, my friend seemed to be the last person in the world who should be made to suffer in that way. She was always full of energy, happy and bubbly, and it was hard to imagine her having to cope with such devastating news.

I remember when she called me to tell me what was happening. I sat down, clutching the telephone, and was speechless. I asked her what she wanted me to do. Did she need help with the children, or with cooking? She laughed at me, and told me to cheer up.

All my friend asked of me was that I remain relentlessly positive about the entire situation. It was as if she were counselling me, rather than the other way around. I did as she asked, and refused to let my feelings of fear and grief get in the way of my friendship with her. She went in to hospital for a mastectomy, and came out in record time. She stayed completely positive throughout the whole process.

I watched her as she fought against the disease that threatened to bring her down. It made her tired, and she got though the fatigue and fear by smiling and carrying on. She made a list of things she wanted to achieve, and started to do them. She turned her experiences in to positives by getting involved with a breast cancer charity and doing a catwalk show for women who had survived. She laughed a lot, calling me regularly with updates and letting me know what she was doing. If I ever panicked about her, she told me off and reminded me to stay positive.

There have been a number of studies about how the power of thought can influence illness, and how people recover much more quickly from serious setbacks in their health, if they stay positive about the outcome. Even scientists admit now that having a superb support network of friends and family, and a positive attitude, can be as effective as medication when it comes to beating illness.

Last week, my friend celebrated ten years free of the disease. She is an inspiration to me, and I can’t help believing that she holds the key to happiness right there in her hand. She makes me laugh constantly, and seems to have the power to turn any setback in to something funny.

If you know anyone who has been through a similar experience and managed to make it in to something positive, do let me know.

Stay positive and stay Happy!

Debbie