“My outer life is a reflection of my inner thoughts. Filled with the joy of God, I express His joy and harmony in everything I do.”
(from Affirmations for Self-Healing by Swami Kriyananda)
The Power of Positive Thinking
a personal reflection by Nayaswami Pushpa
My U.S. work visa had expired, and I had to pack up and leave the country. I was selling all my belongings to pay for my ticket back to the U.K. There was a large car trunk sale nearby the following weekend, and my friend Christine offered to join me. Clothing sold really well, and I had quite a lot of clothes. What I really needed was a clothes rack to display them.
Christine said I could ask John, the owner of the clothing store across the street, if he had a clothes rack we could borrow. I was a little hesitant, because John was known to be rather a strange fellow . . . but I needed a clothes rack!
I walked into the store and saw John. I walked up to him and said, “I don’t suppose you could help me?“ He said sternly, “No! Go out and come in again.“ I was taken aback. Maybe he was offended that I didn’t use his name. I left the store and came back in and said, “John, I don’t suppose you could help me?“ And he snarled, “No! Go out and come in again.“
I was getting a little spooked. What was I doing wrong? What was I supposed to say? I stood outside the store trying to figure it out. Then the light bulb came on. With a spring in my step and a smile on my face, I went back into the store. I said, “John, I bet you can help me!”
John said, with a grin, “I’m sure I can! What do you need?”
I have never forgotten John’s lesson on the power of positive thinking. It had lasting effects. When I got back to the U.K., within two weeks I was hired by a U.S. Fortune 500 sales organization. It was based on the PMA philosophy—a Positive Mental Attitude! During my ten years with the company, through the power of positive thinking, I held many U.K. and world sales records. The company also paid all my expenses, two years later, to relocate back to the U.S.
When we focus our thoughts on what we want or need, and not on what we don’t want, all things are possible.
Prayer
“Problems cannot exist, Lord, whenever Thou art near. Give me strength always to hold Thee in my heart.”
(from Affirmations for Self-Healing by Swami Kriyananda)
Importance of Positive Thinking
A tip from Nayaswami Devi
Positive Thinking
by Nayaswami Pushpa
Yogananda said that thoughts are universally, not individually, rooted. In other words, we tune into a level of consciousness. It can be compared to turning the dial on a radio to find a station (or, in today’s vernacular, choosing which app you open). There are many choices, everything from negative news full of violence and corruption, to music that uplifts our consciousness and talks that inspire us. As devotees, we endeavor to attune ourselves to the highest positive consciousness.
Positive thinking seems to come more easily to some than others. Some of us need to consciously practice and develop the habit. Here is a quick exercise to help cultivate positive thinking: start with five minutes a day and increase as inspired.
While sitting quietly, take five minutes to observe your thoughts. When you notice a negative thought, stop and simply take a breath: as you breathe in, visualize that you are taking in a positive quality such as peace or calmness, and then, as you exhale, feel that you are expelling the negative thought. Afterwards, conclude with a moment of gratitude, crowning it with a thought such as: “Thank you, God!”
5 Comments
Great story, dear Pushpa—thanks for sharing it! 👏💖
Superb sharing :-)
Dearest Pushpa, thanks for sharing your wonderful and inspiring story. ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Wonderful story! Devi’s video is a nice addition! Thank you for the sharing in this New Year, when positive attitude will be one of the most important things we can focus on!
Great story and example for us all to remember!
Thank you, Pushpa.