First, you say, "For Birkenhead to suggest that the Law of Attraction offends people by glossing over the reasons for The Holocaust, or how people get AIDS, I see that as a really sad example of attacking from the fringe a belief system that at its core could help so many people that Birkenhead might get to first."
You then go on to say, "And if it is wrong to reconcile promising ideas that have some uneasy contradictions built into them in order to better our lives - then how is it that we got to believe a religion that says the world was created in 6 days, or that Eve was made from Adam's rib?"
Well, I see that as a really sad example of attacking from the fringe a belief system that at its core HAS HELPED so many people that YOU might get to first!
Jun 30, 2008 Rating
Power of positive thinking by: ErinK19
I believe that people still underestimate the power of positive thinking and dismiss it as just one of those old cliches. Positive thinking really goes a long way. I think that it is more that the people are afraid to face truth and the consequences that come along with that. It is timej to wake up and not shun those who are trying their hand at enlightenment and attempting to be positive. There are so many other things in the world that can brin someone down. A little happy outlook never hurt anyone so long as you can handle facing the harsh truth of life.
Jun 29, 2008 Rating
The Power Of Positive Thinking by: Ashok Jha
Positive thinking is the most important thing because it shapes one's entire perspective towards everything.There are millions of people who consider investing in stock market akin to gambling and thus have deprived themselves from getting rich.There are many who remain such die hard optimistic that they seem to be stupid.Positive thinking is not being stubborn always but analysing things in proper and positive perspective.No matter what the problems are,solutions can be found and this is "positive thinking".One needs to think hard though.
Jun 28, 2008 Rating
Some good ideas, some not by: Steve M
I believe there is some validity in both arguments. While I don't subscribe to the idea that simply believing thing will happen will cause them to, I believe thinking positively about certain outcomes can help you stay on track and keep you focused on your goal. These ideals work particularly well on things that you have influence over the outcome.
Obviously, there are some things that are simply out of your control. As much as I wanted to be a professional baseball player growing up, and as much as I thought positively about it, I just wasn't born with the physical tools to be able to make that dream a reality. Positive thinking did, however, help me became the best that I could be with the tools I was given.
Also, to the person who says positive thinking can't change a crappy reality. We must remember that everyone's perception of reality is subjective. You might have legal troubles or health issues, and if you think negatively, you will dwell on the bad parts and make the experience seem much worse for you. If you think about the "salvagable" aspects of a crappy situation, it can help shift your perception and help you get through it without causing yourself more anguish.
Jun 28, 2008 Rating
Eh by: PennyWise
Though this article sounds cute and nice, there's very little substance to it.
Thinking positive has certainly been a recommendation by many o'er a year. At least we know it stands the test of time. And if you'd like to argue it's validity, simply try to disprove it--because as soon as you find yourself determind for failure you will see those dreams come true.
The only reason I give 2 stars instead of 3 is not that thinking positively is a bad suggestion, it's just pretty flimsy and needless to say.
Jun 28, 2008 Rating
You Make Your Own Happiness.... by: Lynn M
From the time I was a little girl my mother always instilled in us that you make your own happiness and that you have a decision to make, you can be happy or you can ruin your own fun... Thinking positive does work. It gets you through tough times and makes good times even more enjoyable. You can go through life with the glass half empty or the glass half full - it is your choice and although I have not read "The Secret" yet, I am now very interested in getting a copy. I have heard some of the content and do believe the basic philosophy to be true.
Jun 28, 2008 Rating
We need more than positive thinking by: tidefan
Why do we have to “believe” anything? Why can’t we have a system of thought based on some practical experience?
The problem with this New Age stuff is that it tries to get people to ignore their own experience in a world that at times, sucks. Being positive doesn’t change that reality. In fact, it almost seems delusional. Change happens through hard work, not because you have a positive attitude.
Pessimism has its place too. Look at the US Constitution. It embraces rights and freedom, but also understands people aren’t perfect. The Founders created checks and balances to make sure human nature didn’t trample on newly won freedoms.
And what about the great works of art? Many of the artists most revered were pessimistic about mankind and this world. Aristophanes? His comedy was propelled by a negative view of change and new ideas.
I think the real point for success is to embrace the whole world—the good and the bad. And if you want to achieve anything, then be willing to work.
Jun 28, 2008 Rating
The Law of Attraction by: Adam
The question I ended up asking myself when I read this was, does it really matter if the Law of Attraction is true or not?
It seems to me that what matters here is outlook. Whether or not you actually attract what you project is irrelevant as long as you are able to look at your life through a positive lens. A positive attitude, while difficult to maintain, makes life so much easier. And while it is impossible to be positive all the time, it makes sense to me, that people should strive for that sort of attitude.
And that's one of the problems with belief systems that rely on an afterlife for benefits. They seem to engender negative outlooks, since so much importance is placed on a (rumored) existence after death that no one emphasizes the importance of being happy NOW.
Jun 28, 2008 Rating
The Power of Positive Thinking by: Gamawire
I agree that Birkenhead is way off base. I believe that the heroes of our past would all agree that the first step to attaining what you want is to visualize it. And the only way I know of that things like AIDS or a sick environment will ever get workable solutions is if someone dares to dream it is possible.
Jun 28, 2008 Rating
Positive thinking really works by: cangel
I could not agree with you more. The idea of "The Secret" - that "that you get in life what you think about most" - has worked for me. And I agree that when I tell people about this and how important the fact is that we create our own destiny, I tend to get negative or disbelieving responses.
As I teacher and student I am always telling my students that if they believe they will succeed they will - and if they believe they will fail they surely will. It is not so much controlling destiny as creating attitude. When we look at a challenge or objective with a positive attitude we tend to look for all possible helps and we are flexible. We also see the end as positive because of the work we put into it and what we learned from it.
I am not an Oprah or "The Secret" fan. I do not watch Oprah and I have not read the book. And I haven't lead the success only life. I have just assumed that if we believe in a God, and we believe in ourselves, we can do anything we choose to do.
Jun 28, 2008 Rating
Positive thought wins by: Benjamin Dougan
Positive thought is what helps many people get through hard times. For someone to suggest we get rid of this type of mind thinking is astonishing. No matter what you are struggling with, illness, weight problems, emotional problems, thinking positive will help you get through the worst times. Without holding onto something close within your mind, what do you have to hold onto?
