Comments on: Is Positive Thinking Dead?

By: Tyler Ausby

Tyler Ausby — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:41:56 +0000

It is great that you took the time to write all this up

By: Bridget

Bridget — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:03:52 +0000

I stumbled upon this review as I am a strong believer in positive thing. I will definitly skip the book! Time had an interesting article last spring “Staying Sane Is Easier Than You Think.” One of their preventative measures?…positive thinking. This resonates with me as my mom has struggled with bi-polar disorder for 35 years and has a hard time maintaining happiness for more than a few minutes at a time. I think so many people would benefit from strategies that taught them to be positive. Based on the book “My Stroke of Insight” and other recent insight, it seems like positive thinking would also create positive pathways for your neurons in your brain that will re-wire your brain with repetition. I also believe in Buddhist thought that we should be aware of our perceptions (how we view the world). Embrace your negative feelings and work through them, but approach the world by staying in the present- this practically guarantees a positive attitude since you are not bringing bad memories with you as you walk through your day.

By: Andi

Andi — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:21:02 +0000

This book irritates me to no end. It has been a huge topic of discussion in my house this past week. I am a naturally positive person and don’t think I am being by naive by trying to find something good in every situation. What the hell is it going to help an already bad situation to commiserate? But if I approach an already bad situation with grit, determination and a smile, at least that is something. I may live in the land of leprechauns to believe this, but I am very happy there!

I do sympathize with the author about her experiences with cancer therapy, etc. People with cancer should be able to process their feelings, even anger, about having the disease, and she should not have been ganged up on when she tried to express them. People process things in different ways, I just think that in the same way she would have appreciated being allowed to vent, she should also just allow the happy people to be happy.

And happy doesn’t mean unrealistic – an argument my husband and I have all the time!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Asterix and Obelix turn 50 =-.

By: Tim Brownson

Tim Brownson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:07:23 +0000

@ Karen – You CAN change the way you think. I know that for a fact because I did and I see clients do it all the time.

I used to be a really miserable *******! Then after being told once too often I’d never climb to senior management with my ‘attitude’ I realized the rest of the world was right and I was wrong.

However, to change you have to have the belief you can change and really want to.

By: Alisa

Alisa — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:19:46 +0000

Tim–I definitely will. You know he’s one of the people the author interviews and tries to bring down, right? Not that that means anything. I’ve heard a lot about him, so I’d love to read his book.

By: Alisa

Alisa — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:17:48 +0000

You know, this is making me think about something. I think I’m a natural born pessimist who is trying to be an optimist. I’m so far to the end of pessimism that any optimism just brings me almost to normal.

I actually think all emotions are good, even the negative ones. At least you are feeling something. Some people say that depression is anger turned inward. Whenever I’m depressed I just don’t feel at all. So I think it has to do with being flat–no ups, no downs.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:37:04 +0000

In your story about being locked out, was that “positive thinking” or just being level headed? I was stuck in an elevator with my daughter many years ago. I don’t like elevators much to begin with – I’m claustrophobic. I knew that if I lost it, my daughter would completely got off the deep end. So, I stayed level headed. And got us help to get out of the elevator within 30 minutes.

I was involved with a women’s group. I missed our last meeting a few weeks ago. But it was all about “positive thinking”. Well, I kind of think it’s all about rose colored glasses. I see these gals posts on Facebook and I’m wondering what fairy tale are they living in? What’s wrong with feeling an emotion? What’s wrong with getting mad about something that deserves mad feelings?

I was involved with “a group” for many years. Emotions were “bad”. If you weren’t happy, something was horribly wrong with you.

I haven’t been involved with that “group” for a little over three years now. I’m just finally learning to FEEL again. To hurt when I’m hurt. To cry when I’m sad. To be joyous when my puppy/dog totally cracks me up. I’m finally feeling for the first time in my adult life and I’m 47 years old.

Do I hold “good thoughts”? Damn straight I do. Both parents and aunts on my mother’s side died of cancer. You bet I’m holding “good thoughts”. But I’m also not fooling myself that just because I’m holding good thoughts that something won’t happen to me. I’ve gotten “level headed” and have taken steps to protect my health – exercise. I’ve always thought of exercise as a bad word. But I’m finding I’m enjoying it while doing it, I do get a wee bit of an endorphin rush (if I wasn’t so dang tired, I’d probably get a huge endorphin rush) – but I’ll take what I get.

I guess I’m a bit of a pessimist. I hope for the best, but am prepared for the worse – and I’m always really thrilled when it’s turned out good. I guess growing up with abuse and neglect kind of puts a damper on one’s mood for life. But then again, I’m taking “positive steps” and getting counseling to get over all that drama from my childhood and adulthood. I just got a late start.

By: Karen Bannan

Karen Bannan — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:31:44 +0000

I am one of those people who is always waiting for the other shoe to drop, so I think the idea of positive thinking is a good one. I wish I could be more positive, actually. After reading your take on this book I’ll probably skip it. It’s not going to do someone like me any good.

By: Tim Brownson

Tim Brownson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Alisa, check out ‘Learned Optimism’ by Martin Seligman. It’s a brilliant book that explains at a scientifc level why optimistic (not positive btw) thinking helps people. This guy has spent 25 years studying it and is the worlds leading expert.

It is a very balanced read because he also take a look at the up sides of negative thinking.

I’m not sure I see the value of books like this to be honest. Is anybody any better off for reading them?

By: Kris Bordessa

Kris Bordessa — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:11:37 +0000

Thanks for managing to maintain your sense of humor about this. I’m a believer in positive thinking, but like you, I don’t think it will fill my bank account. I prefer to think of it as making my *life richer! Why get bogged down in negativity? I’ve got a family member who’s been waiting to die – for the past 25 years. Now that’s sad!
.-= Kris Bordessa´s last blog ..Cash in on Your Kids! =-.