Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive(Accentuate The Positive)

You got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with mister in-between

You got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith, or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

I know I will date myself for doing this but I remember watching this program called Homefront on TV back in Jamaica when I was growing up(back then we used to get the shows after they were done with them in the US or England). The verses above are from the theme song for that program. It’s been many, many years but that song has stuck with me to this day. You don’t really have to go beyond the first 2 lines of the song; accentuate the positive – eliminate the negative. Basically the message is to focus on that positive aspects of life and reduce the negativity.

Have some fun! Listen here

Have you ever met some people(or you might be one of them) who all they can focus on is what’s wrong, or what won’t happen instead of focusing on what’s right and what could happen? People who focus on negative outcomes instead of the positive possibilities? Or what they don’t want instead of what they want? Who would rather spread discord rather than peace? Those who feel they have to comment or react to every little issue rather than trying to find positive solutions to correct them?

I am sure you all can relate, we either interact with these personalities daily or we are those people.

Here are my thoughts on how to remain(or become) positive in most circumstances. Please bear in mind this is from my own personal experience and may not be applicable to all. However I am sure there will be a few take-aways for most of you.

Focus more on what you want(not what you don’t want)

This is a basic concept of science(like attracts like). We have to operate in the realm of what’s positively possible. If we try to avoid something, we somehow attract that very thing. No wonder some people practice the power of positive affirmations daily so they can set the tone for a good day. We attract what we focus on. For example, you shouldn’t be saying “I don’t want to be in debt” but rather “I want to be debt free”. Semantics, maybe but it’s a drastic mindset shift that takes place with a simple change. “I don’t want to be in debt” focusses on the problem, that you don’t have enough money. On the other hand, “I want to be debt free” says I will focus on what it takes to be what I want; being debt-free.

This doesn’t mean saying a bunch of mumbo jumbo like “I’m rich, I am going to have a million dollars in my account by Friday”. It simply means expecting abundance, knowing that you are worthy, believing in yourself to manifest it. Somehow that turns a switch on subconsciously that it can happen; and it will. Now I don’t believe that this happens magically but the mindset shift turn into actions which support the positive outlook. I had a friend who always used to say to me “Positive vibrations bring positive results”. Sounds like Bob Marley’s song but it makes a whole lot of sense. Obviously Bob Marley was on to something there.

On the parenting front, I see it everyday with my son. You want him to make a positive change, you give him props for what he has done. And use that as encouragement for the things he needs to improve on. Not the other way around.

Don’t mess with Mr In-between(Don’t sit on the fence)

This is a message for myself as well. While we are focusing our attention on what we want(as opposed to what we don’t want), focusing on what it would feel like if we already have the positive situation, we should try not to focus on the what-if it doesn’t happen scenario. We have to be convincingly positive in our minds and stay that way. Now this is not to say that negative situations will not arise, but it’s all in how we handle that situation that will affect us.

This is easier said than done of course, but I really believe that you FAITH will be the source of strength to remain positive. I find that people who do not have the strong backing of their faith to help them through tough times tend to remain in the land of negativity about any and all circumstances that life throws at them

Spread Joy

Now, I wondered if it was coincidence that I read several LinkedIn posts this week about people who have been able to spread joy to others in unexpected ways simply by engaging with strangers. Two of them were people who were able to help others that were down on their luck in their job searches. If any of you have ever experienced what that feels like you know what I mean.

In one instance, one person was met a gentleman on a flight, heading back from home from a job interview. They struck up a conversation, which evolved into an interview(unbeknownst to the guy who needed the job). Amidst vulnerable moments, even tears, the guy who was down on his luck poured it all out. Turns out he was speaking with someone who had the power to hire him and was looking for what he had to offer. He was hired on the spot, earning more money than he did in his last job!! What an awesome way to spread joy!

There are lots of lessons in this encounter but I will focus on our ability to make positive impact on other people’s lives. Sometimes what may seem insignificant or small to you can have a huge impact on someone else. A simple “Good Morning” or a compliment can change the course of a person’s day. No telling what it can do for you too. I firmly believe in the mantra “The good you do comes back to you”…. the bad as well.

Thank you for spending time with me today, sharing my thought on positivity. I hope you found it helpful. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with me as well.