The Power of Positive Thinking

In this episode - The Power of Positive Thinking . . .

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale is a self-help book that explores the impact of optimism and positive thoughts on your life. Peale emphasizes the influence of one's thoughts on shaping experiences and achieving success. This small book has sold over 5 million copies since it was first published in 1952. I recently purchased a copy from our local Barnes & Noble and read it again because our lives were changing once more. Let me explain.

As 2023 draws to a close, I have taken it upon myself to reflect on what has influenced my thinking and my life. Like many, during these challenging times of war in Israel and Ukraine, with the proliferation of hate and violence, I am trying to regain the optimism that fueled me to become who I am today.

After moving to California in April 1985, I felt compelled to meet Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (see Dreamers). Why? Not because I had read his book but because the Title had a profound influence on my thinking and attitude. That year, my life dramatically changed; I moved to California to attend the Gemological Institute of America. In doing so, I decided my thinking had to change, so I enrolled in The Dale Carnegie Course for Public Speaking and Human Relations. This was the catalyst that started driving me into the self-help era that was prevalent at the time.

The self-help movement grew and diversified during the latter half of the 20th century. It was made possible by the amazing contributions of authors and speakers like Norman Vincent Peale, Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Robert Schuller, Louise Hay, and Stephen Covey. They offered valuable advice on many topics, such as positive thinking, motivation, success, relationships, health, and spirituality.

It was 1952 when Peale published his book that encourages readers to develop a positive mindset, which can help them overcome obstacles and achieve personal goals. According to Peale, it is crucial to believe in oneself, nurture faith, and use affirmations to reprogram your mind for success. By focusing on positive thoughts and visualizing desired outcomes, you can attract favorable circumstances and opportunities.

This book offers practical advice on techniques such as prayer, visualization, and affirmations to combat negativity and develop resilient, optimistic attitudes. Peale emphasizes the power of faith in achieving miracles and encourages readers to tap into their inner strength to overcome obstacles.

Additionally, Peale suggests surrounding oneself with positive influences, avoiding negative people and situations, and practicing gratitude to maintain a positive outlook. While rereading this book during the holidays, Chapter 6 - Stop Fuming & Fretting impacted me deeply. I had allowed myself to become consumed by anger, irritation, frustration, and worry, which can damage one's mental and physical health. In this chapter, he discusses how these negative emotions can lead to stress, anxiety, and even health issues if left unchecked.

Peale emphasizes the need to avoid fuming and fretting by adopting a more positive and constructive approach to handling challenging situations. He suggests several practical techniques to overcome these negative emotions:

Develop Self-Control: Acknowledge that everyone faces frustrations and irritations; Peale advises practicing self-control by consciously choosing not to dwell on these negative emotions.
Countering Negative Thoughts: He encourages replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations and constructive thinking. This involves consciously redirecting thoughts towards solutions and positive outcomes rather than dwelling on problems.
Use Physical Action: Physical activities or exercise can help dissipate frustration and stress. Redirecting energy towards constructive tasks will be beneficial.
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Peale recommends relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or prayer to calm the mind and release tension.
Seek Perspective: Putting situations into perspective and realizing that most problems are temporary and manageable helps reduce stress and worry.

Overall, The Power of Positive Thinking serves as a guide to transforming one's mindset, fostering optimism, and harnessing the power of positive thoughts to lead a fulfilling and successful life.

I’m Patrick Ball. Make it a great New Year, its your choice. See you in the next episode.

The Who Was - Series

In this episode, the Who Was? - Series . . . With over 250 titles, Penguin Random House Books Who Was? - Series tells the incredible stories of trailblazers, legends, innovators, and creators. Are you a bibliophile, an individual who loves and frequently reads books (a bookworm)? What is it that compels you to pick up a book? Is it the cover, is it the title, how about an interest in a specialized subject, or just - perhaps it's a whim? One of my ultimate goals with these podcasts is to reach a young audience. I've found that reading children's books is a gratifying and educational experience. Yes, even grown-ups can understand difficult concepts. To my surprise, both children and adults seem to appreciate the experience. With education such a hot topic in the news right now, we need to be reminded that whether it's going to school, visiting a museum, or online learning, the goal of education (both young and old) is to nurture an interest in learning. William Butler Ye

Big Apple, Big Charge

In this episode – Big Apple, Big Charge . . . Welcome back to On the Fly, your weekly dose of quirky observations and unexpected trends. Today, we're fresh off a trip to the Scaffolding/Plywood jungle, where we witnessed a phenomenon that will make you rethink your relationship with the humble wall socket. That's right, we're talking about New York City, and it's . . . wait for it — Free, ubiquitous electric outlets! New York constantly buzzes with traffic, jackhammers, honking horns, and helicopters. But what struck me most was the sheer volume of people glued to their devices while commuting and navigating the streets with hundreds of construction obstacles. It's like everyone's “plugged into” some invisible grid—phones, tablets, watches, headphones, earbuds, e-bikes—you name it. And that's where things get interesting. But, unlike our quiet suburban life, free outlets in NYC aren't exactly abundant. So, how do these New Yorkers keep their gadgets

What Time Is It

In this episode – What Time Is It . . . In the era before smartphones, let’s say we’re on a telephone call, and you ask me, “What time is it?” As a five-year-old, my reply is, "The big hand is on the two (2) and the little hand on the eight (8).” You would then say, "Alright, it's ten minutes after eight o’clock or eight-ten, right?" This is how we learned to tell time as children–remember? Well, what happened . . . During dinner last week in Westfield, NJ, a retired high school teacher told our group, “Did you know that children today cannot read the time on a traditional watch with an analog face?” “Why not?” we asked. “Because of smartphones and the proliferation of digital clocks.” “Wow! That’s hard to believe.” Welcome to this week's episode of "On the Fly." Today, we'll compare classic mechanical watches to modern quartz watches and explore an unexpected social shift. To begin with, let me take you back a few days. I’m a traditionalist and pre

It Runs on Steam

In this episode – It Runs on Steam . . . If you’ve seen Back to The Future III, you may remember Doc Brown's line, “It Runs on Steam !” Recently, I visited my good friend Billy in Westfield, New Jersey. Among his many other hobbies, Billy is a steam engine enthusiast. He proudly fired up his miniature steam engine and confidently explained its workings, which got me thinking . . . (Sound effect of Billy's steam engine whistle) Have you ever considered how environmentally friendly a steam engine powered by renewable energy could be? There would be no need for gasoline, batteries, diesel fuel, or Uranium-234. Imagine an engine powered by water—yes, water. I can hear the naysayers: "But . . .” Welcome back to On the Fly, where we dive into one of history's most fascinating inventions. Today, we're firing up a revolution – the Industrial Revolution, that is – with the mighty steam engine! For centuries, people relied on muscle, wind, and waterpower to get things do

On The Fly

Search This Blog