We all go through different phases in our lives. Sometimes we go through hard times, and feel like everything is against us. One way of successfully surviving such times is to make a habit of developing a positive outlook. Trying to see the advantages in every adverse situation can be frustrating and depressing. But it can be done and can really help you overcome the adversities/depressions/obstacles in life.
While some might recommend going for therapy, I am going to talk about a book I have read, which I find really useful as a self-help book. The Power Of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale is a very useful book which I have read multiple times and still do from time to time, even to this day. It is a wonderful book which teaches you to think positively. The author has told stories of various people whom he have met in his life, people with different kinds of problems in their lives, pretty much the problems we all face in our lives too. He describes how he helped them and what they did while facing adversity. The author then goes on to say how they ended up happy in the end.
The thing about this book is that all the methods described are very true to this day and can be applied in our lives too. When I say that I have read it multiple times, it is because I found it very helpful. I have tried out the techniques mentioned in the book and have found good results. I was able to improve my confidence and even achieve certain goals which I had set for myself.
For example from the chapter "Expect the Best and Get It",
"A man who is self-reliant, positive, optimistic, and undertakes his works with the assurance of success magnetises his condition."
"He draws to himself the createive powers of the universe."
In the said chapter we can read the story of a man whose kept on failing in everything he did and later realised that he only failed because he thought he would fail. One of the main prerequisites of success, the author says, is that we have to believe in ourselves and believe that we will succeed in our endeavors.
Quoting from the chapter, "Inflow of New Thoughts Can Remake You" ,
"A man is what he thinks about all day"
This will become really clear and straightforward if you think about it. When we think about success and succeeding all the time, our entire thinking gets tuned in the direction of success. We will start investing more time in our endeavors and will surely end up succeeding. Some may call it luck. But you will understand that your thoughts have the power of shaping your reality once you experience it.
"There is a deep tendency in human nature to become precisely like that which you habitually imagine yourself to be."
"You can actually think yourself into or out of situations."
I don't think I have done justice to the book as the description I have given cannot encompass the brilliance of it. In fact, I don't think any piece of article will not be able to do it completely. To realize it you have to read the book by yourself.
But I promise you, you'll not regret buying this book!