“Positive thinking” may seem like a buzzy modern concept, but the
belief that our thoughts can positively impact our well-being is nothing
new. In fact, the Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus observed as far
back as the first century CE that “it’s not what happens to you, but how
you react to it that matters.” In other words, we can free ourselves
and change our reality by dreaming big and training our mind toward
possibilities, rather than focusing on limitations.
Since antiquity, numerous scholars, leaders, and thinkers have helped to champion the power of positivity in their respective fields. Transcendentalist philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, for instance, is often credited as a forefather of positive thinking. In his writings, he emphasizes the role our perception plays in shaping our reality, and how we must adjust our attitude first in order to change our lot in life. “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year,” Emerson wrote in 1904. Decades later, writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie picked up this thread of thinking, touting the social advantages of positivity in his 1936 book How to Win Friends and Influence People.
The benefits of such optimism extend well beyond just a sunnier disposition: According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking can actually enact physical changes as well. The power of the mind can lead to a better immune system, an increased life span, better cardiovascular health, and lower levels of stress and tension. These 14 quotes reveal how positive thinking can be a healthy way of approaching the rigmaroles of everyday living.
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