“Think happy thoughts and you will fly…” - Peter Pan
I am sitting across from a chubby lady in the airport lounge as I’m writing this and couldn’t help noticing how she half-chuckled every few random sentences, like she was generally cheerful about nothing.
For a brief moment, I felt a twinge of envy, like she was onto something and I had to be part of it.
Had I been so focused on making sure each day was lived according to purpose that I forgot to laugh?
And so right there and then, I made a resolution to laugh at least once a day. And it can’t be something that I force myself into. I will make it a point to find something that genuinely makes me laugh from the inside out.
If we truly understand the effect that happy thoughts have on our bodies and life in general, then it is the only pill we will ever need.
Happy thoughts are quite powerful and here are 7 reasons why:
1. Happy thoughts can heal you.
You may not know this, but every time you think about something that makes you afraid or angry, or if you worry about the uncertain future and start to feel emotions related to these fears, you are creating a program for your body that soon becomes hardwired in it.
When you habitually put yourself in this kind of emotional state, then your body is constantly living in “emergency mode” and the cells in your body have to work double time to protect itself from the things that you fear, even if they are only happening in your mind.
Your immune system becomes compromised.
The cells in your body have to be prepared for battle all the time, and there is no energy left for growth and repair. Your energy leaves the brain and the heart, and all are used by the lower centers.
So, the real question is , how then will you strengthen your inner environment when the outside environment seems to be testing you all the time?
In the same way that you have trained your body to think that everything in the world is dangerous or that fate is playing tricks on you, you can also train your body to think otherwise.
Meditation and practicing a grateful attitude are keys.
And I know meditation may sound like a very foreign concept to someone who is so used to rushing everyday and being constantly prepared for battle. But meditation just means being quiet in your thoughts. Sitting quietly and purposely silencing your thoughts for even just 2 to 3 minutes a day can do wonders.
Think about the entirety of your life and how you are doing well up to this point, despite all the fears you’ve had.
You might think you had a hard life, yet you eat five times a day, have no difficulty breathing, still have all your senses intact, and can see and walk well compared to most.
When you take the time to quiet your mind, free from all the constant stimulation, then you start to put energy back into the cells of your body, and they can start to regulate again.
2. Happy thoughts are good for your mental health.
Thoughts, both happy and sad, dictate the quality of your mental health, and the state of your mind determines the quality of your life.
The ratio of good things happening in your life to the not-so-good things is a thousand to one. And if you were to write down all the good things in your life, you could write a novel.
Now, the trick is where you put your attention, because where you put your attention to is where most of your energy is.
When you get into the habit of focusing on what’s going well for you, then your brain is relaxed and can make better decisions.
The quality of your life is dictated by the decisions you make, and the decisions you make is an outcome of your mental state.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed with life, you become more solution-oriented, seeing opportunities instead of problems.
3. Happy thoughts can help you make better decisions so you can live a life that is more authentic to you.
When your mind is clouded with negativity or doubt, it’s hard to think clearly.
But happy thoughts clear the fog, allowing you to see what you really want.
With a clear mind, a clear understanding of who you are and what’s truly important to you, making decisions become simpler.
This clarity leads to a more fulfilling life because you know your actions align with your goals.
When you have a positive outlook, you are more patient with yourself and others and are grateful for each small step you take towards your goal instead of being paralyzed by fear or doubt.
This proactive approach helps you build the life you want, making your dreams a reality through consistent, positive actions.
4. Happy thoughts can make you live longer.
There’s a strong connection between a positive mindset and physical health.
When you’re positive, your body produces less cortisol, the stress hormone, which can harm your health over time.
Imagine waking up each day with a smile, feeling grateful for the little things—a warm cup of coffee, a friendly wave from a neighbor, listening to a beat you love, and randomly dancing while no one’s watching.
A person might think “ I will be happy if…” or “I know I will have a great life if…”
But a great life is nothing more than a collection of small, random moments that make you smile, when you are lighthearted and feel a sense of gratitude for the life you live.
When you focus on the good in your life, you create a ripple effect, improving your mental and physical health, building stronger relationships, and ultimately, adding years to your life.
5. Happy thoughts can make you rich.
Believe it or not, happy thoughts can become real cash that adds up to your bank account.
In a state of mind where you are calm and relaxed, you have the mental capacity for creativity and problem-solving, which are essential for achieving financial goals.
When you approach challenges with a can-do attitude, you’re more likely to find creative solutions and find opportunities where others can only see problems.
Research also shows that positive thinking attracts success.
People are naturally drawn to those who are confident and passionate about what they do. This can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and investments.
Imagine talking to someone like Joe Dispenza or Tony Robbins. Are they really so different from the rest of us and why are people so drawn to them?
A ticket to a Tony Robbins event can cost as much as $8000 and all to hear about how to make a positive change in your life.
They say fortune favours the bold, and this is true.
But also, you get exactly what you put out there in the world.
6. Happy thoughts tend to attract beautiful people in your life.
Whether we believe it or not, the environment around us is a mirror. It merely reflects who we are.
Happy people who radiate from the inside tend to attract people like them.
Happy people tend to smile more, have better posture, and exhibit more open and engaging body language. These traits are universally considered attractive, making a person more appealing to those around them.
Happy thoughts also attract like-minded individuals.
We generally attract people with the same energy whether good or bad.
Positive energy is contagious, and when you emit joy and optimism, you draw beautiful, positive people into your life.
These people can become your friends, partners, or professional connections, enriching your life with the same passion with which they live their lives.
7. Happy thoughts can improve your relationships.
How you talk to or respond to the people you love is oftentimes the result of how you're feeling and projecting yourself.
When you maintain a positive attitude, you communicate better and are more patient with others. The people around you will find it easier to trust you, and this deepens your connections with friends, family, and colleagues.
Additionally, a positive mindset helps you to handle conflicts more constructively.
Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong with someone or holding grudges, you’re more likely to see the good in other people and be able to resolve conflicts easily.
This approach not only resolves issues more quickly but also strengthens your bonds over time, leading to more fulfilling and lasting relationships.
In conclusion, having happy thoughts is much more than positive thinking.
One who practices the power of happy thoughts has a deep assurance within that nothing from the outside can really harm him, because everything is a mirror after all.
He or she does not look at problems as problems at all. His or her peace is not disturbed come what may.
He or she understands that filling one’s life with both, peaceful experiences and truthful thoughts, leads to a bountiful and wonderful life.