Positive Thinking for the New Age

We live is the age of information revolution. Technologies like internet, computers, and smart phones have made all kind of information easily available to us when we need. We are also better aware today about what is happening in the world as news travels super fast. However, this has become a double edge sword now. It has caused an information overload that we all are grappling with. We struggle daily to keep up with the incessant flow of emails, news, text messages, alerts, WhatsApp messages, twitter updates, and so on. For most of us, keeping pace with our email itself turns out to be a big challenge. 

There are times when we feel helpless and out-of-control of our own lives due to this explosion of information, particularly when we are required to act, in the midst of a nagging doubt that some important fact is missed. We also need to constantly check the information we get and discard the one which is incorrect.

Slowly and gradually we are evolving and coming to grip with the situation. We are discovering ways to find the useful information from the pile of emails in our inbox, and devise a system of not missing an important message.

During such times, when we are already overworked and are always short of time, where does a nice concept like positive thinking fit? Positive thinking is all the more relevant for the modern age. In the hustle bustle of daily life, it can help us to keep our sanity. It can provide us the mental resilience to move forward during the moments of despair and helplessness.

So, it is vital to build and nurture a healthy positive outlook, but how do we go about doing it in today’s fast moving age? One way is to practice it in real-life situations, and develop is gradually. This is a good idea, but have a downside. It is like training for running a marathon in the actual race. Today’s ultra-fast paced life confronts you with disappointments at every corner, and if you rely on real-life situations, it is likely that it may soon rob you of whatever positive attitude you already have. So, we need another way to build up a strong positive mindset.

Another idea is to read inspiring material or keep close to positive people. This has been the most relied upon method, and continues to be an attractive proposition till today. You must find time to regularly read positive and inspirational material, and interact with positive people to develop a healthy mindset over time.

Once you have acquired a positive mindset, there is a simple way to maintain it by spending just a few minutes every day ‘exercising’ it. Get into a habit of solving a puzzle every day – it can be crossword, Sudoku, Codeword,  Jumble, whatever you like. A puzzle serves as an excellent exercise to develop the muscles of mental resilience and positive mindset. 

When you start solving a puzzle, it seems like an incredibly difficult task initially, almost impossible. You have to persevere with the hope that you will find the solution. Then you start getting one or two clues and the picture starts getting clear. By doing puzzles regularly, you can learn to keep hope and continue to try even in most difficult situation. It also gives you an attitude that whatever be the problem, it can be solved – just focus on finding the next clue towards the solution. You need not have the picture at the outset, but a clear picture will eventually emerge if you keep working on finding clues. 

This is the most important point that pertains to modern age. In real life too, the situations are so complex today, that you may not see any solution in sight. But if you focus in doing what you can and find the ‘next clue’ – or the next action towards the solution, you can solve the problem eventuality. Work with this spirit, and you will see yourself getting back in control of your life.

Just to be sure, the principle of positive mindset is eternal and changeless. This is just a different practice to build it up.