By Christina Captain
Is it really a secret? The power of positive thinking that is? Is it really adequate to just think good thoughts? Will looking through rose-colored glasses truly give us the winning life we so fervently desire?
I attempted to answer these questions by asking an 8-year-old child, who promptly answered me with a shoulder shrug and “I don’t know.” She then walked away to finish the cardboard dragon she was making as a gift for a friend’s birthday celebration. Maybe that’s the real answer: We should all stop worrying about positive thinking and just be positive about something—anything—like making a cardboard dragon.
Imagine if we could all just look at life again through the filter of our 8-year-old self.
How different would the world be? How incredibly amazing might it be just to take the time to create something that wasn’t on TV or a computer. How exhilarating would it be to wonder with imagination instead of our smart phone or CNN feed. How would it feel to question alleged reality with possibility?
My premise in regard to positive thinking is that we all try too hard. Being positive in everyday life should be easy, serendipitous, and most of all fun. It shouldn’t be work to maintain a positive outlook.
Finding Health and Well-being
Some are skeptical in regard to the belief in positive thinking, specifically positive thinking as it relates to health and well-being. If we explore the words health and well-being we find that the definition of health is not just the absence of sickness but the presence of well-being. Then we must examine the word well-being. Well-being is the state of being well, fine, in a good way, healthy, sound, and thriving. Hmmm, doesn’t that make your wheels turn?
If health is a state of well-being and well-being is being in healthy, why is it that many can’t deduce that one would most likely be in a positive frame of mind to have health and well-being?
Well, it makes sense to me. But then I have day after day of experiences with patients who are either carrying around a positive or negative outlook. It never fails to amaze me that whichever outlook individuals carry they are successful in proving their beliefs every single day.
For example, take John the 40-something divorcee who believes strongly that life is unfair and the world is out to cheat him. Every time I see him he has evidence to offer me proving that his premises are indeed correct.
On the other side there is Jason, who really sets out to prove that a winning life is possible and that it is effortless. His belief system includes the concepts that life is easy, he is lucky, and he always has the glass half full mantra somewhere in his subconscious.
Both of these men prove to themselves that they are right everyday; the only difference is what they are right about. So which is it for you? Are you a Jason or a John? What do you prove day in and day out?
In Chinese medicine there is a concept of weak constitution/strong spirit or strong constitution/weak spirit.
The simple facts are that a person may have a weak constitution based on DNA, but have the spirit of a tiger, fighting for health and well-being. These individuals, according to Chinese Medicine, are more likely to achieve good health than those strong in constitution but weak in spirit. For me strong spirit has all to do with the power of positive thinking and a positive outlook in regard to life in general.
Since our theme this month is children, let’s look at an example in this area. Despite our set constitution and spirit combination in parenting, it is imperative to be aware of the messages we send to our children so that they have the best possible environment to develop that “spirit of a tiger.” What is OK and what isn’t? This includes being aware of the way we use our words and the way we demonstrate how living in alignment with positive thinking works.
As a parent, you must be super aware that you are being watched and emulated.
After all you are creating a “mini-me” even if that is not your intention.
Positive thinking is truly a choice. So my friends, choose the filter of your 8-year-old self and take the time to create the possibility of positive thinking in your life. Good luck in your journey toward health and well-being!
Christina Captain, DOM, AP, SLP, FSC is a board certified acupuncture physician and the founder of The Family Healing Center. She earned her degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine from the East West College of Natural Medicine, Sarasota, Florida, where she is now a senior faculty member and advisory board chairperson. Christina received additional training in acupuncture injection therapy and earned a Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology and Communication Disorders and is an expert Feng Shui practitioner and teacher.