Positivity, is it a myth?

For a short time, I was once an insurance salesman. My manager increased my sales expectations every month. After 5 months in true bipolar form, I resigned (I didnt know I had the disorder).

He was shocked. I'd explained to him that the pressure of fulfilling his expectations was beyond my needs to feel comfortable....when would the bar stop being raised? He told me I was a negative person. I dont think I was but before I left that profession I attended a motivation lecture. In 30 minutes my life changed forever. I was positive from then on.

However positivity has its limits. Lying in bed under the cover of depression and trying to be positive just doesnt "cut the mustard". I've learned to wait for the up cycle to arrive then add my positive spin on that to get moving.

Other ways apart from motivation lectures, to change from negative to positive are-

- surround yourself with energised people
- spend less time with negative thinkers
- remind yourself that life's struggles is normal life
- set goals
- talk to yourself in the mirror, self motivate
- try to accept your illness

Stephen Fry once said "if I was reincarnated I'd want my bipolar to come with me, as it is part of me"
That's a big statement but it reflects his acceptance regardless of his ongoing pain.

Positivity is not a myth but one should be realistic how far it can propel you beyond your comfort zone, thats when it becomes fake, like selling cars. Its more about getting the best out of yourself not conquering the world.

Once you have transformed to being positive life does change. You'll recognise negative thinkers immediately and you wont want to return. But you will also need to get things into perspective in that your newfound outlook will not cure you.

Being a positive person will allow the good times better for you and others around you and those negative moments less often in your life.

Thats worth the challenge.

What do you think?

WK