“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.” -Mahatma Gandhi

I love this quote from Gandhi. And it’s one that I try to live my life by on a daily basis. But I have to admit that it’s not always easy.

People ask me on a regular basis “How is it that you’re always so positive?” Well the truth is that I’m not. Just ask my wife. I face the same trials and troubles that many of you face each day. I have the same ups and downs as many of you. My life is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. So what’s the difference?

The key is that I practice being positive. Even when things are not going the way that I want them to (which is regularly) I try to focus on the positive. I make a conscious decision to set aside the negative thoughts that fill my head and I take pro-active steps to replace them with positive ones.

It’s not always easy but over time it becomes a habit. And like Gandhi said, I believe that over time those habits become your values which lead you to your destiny.

So here are a few tips that I wanted to pass along to you to help you as you try to increase the level of positivity in your life:

(1) Speak Positive Affirmations. For some of you this may be strange at first but over time you will find that once you begin to speak positive affirmations to yourself youwill drive out those negative thoughts. Affirm to yourself that what you are facing is only temporary and that you will get through it. Affirm that you deserve to be happy. The more you practice this the easier it will be.

(2) Speak Positive Words to Others. This is a HUGE factor in my level of positivity. Several years ago when I lived in Missouri, I noticed that there was so much negativity on Facebook and Twitter. I decided then to make those social media outlets a source of Positivity. So each day I try to speak positive words so that others can harness their energy and use them in their daily lives. I noticed that over time not only did I get positive feedback from others about my words, but I actually felt better simply by saying those words. It’s amazing how focusing on others when you are down can lift you up.

(3) Surround Yourself With Positive People. Think about how many people you interact with on a daily basis, whether face to face, or through social media. Unfortunately there are a lot of negative people out there. People who choose to complain about every little issue in life. I decided some time ago to limit my exposure to those people. I decided that negativity was like a virus. If you’re exposed to it too much you’re bound to catch it. As you go through your daily routine, pay close attention to those who add to your cup of Positivity and those who take away from it. If you can limit your exposure to those “negative nellys” out there and try to spend more time around those who lift you up through their words and actions.

(4) Express Gratitude. For me this is huge. As a Christian I choose to express gratitude through prayer. Even in times of despair, I pray for direction and understanding, and give thanks for the lessons that are learned. This is not always easy. I also express gratitude to those around me who lift me up. Again, I have found that the more positive I am toward others, the more positive other are toward me. It’s amazing at times to me.

This week I want to challenge you to take some time to implement these tips. The next time that you feel those negative thoughts creeping up on you, stop, and reflect on these tips.

Let a life full of Positivity become your destiny.

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