Display this PTD link on your site to help us spread the word and the positive energy!
What is Positive Thinking Day and why is it important?
Kirsten Harrell: Positive Thinking Day - September 13th - is a day to celebrate the benefits of positive thinking. We believe that by helping people change their thoughts we can make a lasting and positive difference in this world.
The 3 main purposes of PTD are 1) to change the world… one thought at a time; 2) find the most positive person; and 3) to raise money for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to help find a cure for spinal cord injury.
The cause that is being supported is spinal cord injury. Can you tell us more about the cause?
Kirsten Harrell: The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation's roots stretch back to 1982 when the American Paralysis Association (later renamed after Reeve) was formed by a group of people that refused to accept the prevailing notion that the spinal cord, once injured, could not be repaired. They believe it is possible to find a way to connect and regenerate the damaged nerves and cells that result in paralysis.
The Reeve Foundation needs our support so they can continue to make huge strides as more and more groundbreaking research discoveries turn into real treatments and ultimately cures. What was once thought of as inconceivable is now just beyond our grasp. However, their fight takes work, commitment, and money. And it takes a unified effort. They rely on our generosity to ensure their success.
For more information on The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation go to http://www.christopherreeve.org or check out their brochure.
How can a person get involved in Positive Thinking Day?
Kirsten Harrell: **Affirmation - You can help us change the world by focusing on the following affirmation on Positive Thinking Day - I choose to create a great day! (Click here to download this ipopin one minute affirmation for free!)
**Raise $ - When you make a purchase at www.ipopin.com between September 6-14, 2008, 30% your purchase price will be donated to the Reeve Foundation!
**Pariticipate - Share a tip for staying positive by emailing me between now and 9/13/08 and you will be entered in a drawing to win 3 ipopin CD's. Your tip may be selected to appear in a post on this site.
**Spread the word - Help us spread the word by adding the PTD logo link on your website AND mention PTD in a post between Sept 1-13, 2008. Email me once you do so that I can add a link to you in our PTD Supporter section. You will be entered in a drawing to win 3 ipopin CD's.
**Nominate - You can nominate someone for our Most Positive Person Contest.
Kirsten Harrell (photo left)
You are holding a Positive Person Contest on your blog. How can a person enter?
Kirsten Harrell: This is a very fun contest. If you know someone that is always positive, always upbeat, always looking at the bright side of life, this is your chance to let them know how much you appreciate them- nominate them for the Most Positive Person Contest. We have some awesome prize packages for the winners.
To nominate your choice, send an email with details. Each person who nominates someone will receive a special guided imagery from ipopin.com.
Be sure to put Most Positive Person in the subject line. Include the name of the person you are nominating AND the reason you are nominating them for the most positive person (tell us about your nominee in 350 words or less). If possible, please include a photo (jpeg format) of the person you are nominating so we can use it on this website.
Deadline for submissions is September 13, 2008 (by 10:00am EST)... so get your nominations in soon!
Many people like yourself suggest thinking positive as a way of life. How positive thinking enhance a person's life?
Kirsten Harrell: Positive thinking is a way of life and once you get in the groove, you will notice a greater satisfaction with life. In addition, here are some of the benefits of optimism and positive thinking:
* improve mood, self-esteem, and overall happiness
* decrease depression, anxiety, and hostility
* lessen pain
* speed recovery from surgery
* enhance immune function
* increase longevity
* improve performance and productivity
* reduce stress
Positive thinking isn't just about looking for good news and avoiding problems and wishing them away is it?
Kirsten Harrell: You are right! Positive thinking is so much more than that. Your thoughts have a direct impact on your emotions, attitudes, and behaviors. The repetition of positive thoughts will help your brain create new neural pathways - this is like rewiring the brain for success. You (we all do) have constant mental chatter in your mind; unfortunately, much of this chatter is negative. It is important to decrease this negative self-talk by replacing it with positive thoughts.
Increasing the amount of positive self-talk will directly and positively effect how you feel and act. When you focus your thoughts like a laser beam upon what you want to create in your life, you unleash the incredible power of your mind combined with the infinite creative power of the Universe. This is how goals are achieved and dreams come true.
As a positive thinker, I know that it takes more than thinking positively to create success in our lives. However, success-oriented actions start as positive thoughts.
Positive thinking leads to positive actions. Positive actions lead to positive outcomes.
How can a person take the first step towards being a positive person every day?
Kirsten Harrell: There are some very simple and easy ways to get started. Here are a few:
1. Use affirmations - Read and listen to affirmations so that you can change your self-talk.
2. Intention - Set your intention each morning to have a positive day! Remember you choose your attitude!
3. Mindfulness - Keep your attention in the present moment.
Check out the rest of our tips here - 10 tips to creating a great day.
Any other ideas and suggestions for helping make Positive Thinking Day a resounding success?
Kirsten Harrell: Start the no stinkin’ thinkin’ challenge on PTD. I challenge you to go for a day without a negative thought. Believe me, this is much harder than it sounds. It will require serious effort and honest commitment.
Use whatever tools you think will help you - affirmations, books, inspirational photos, etc. Once you start, you need to be on the lookout for any negative thoughts. If you have one, then counter it with a positive thought. Then you will need to reset the clock and start again. It may take you many attempts before you are even able to go one whole hour without a negative thought. If or when you successfully complete one hour, you up the ante and use the same process to go for 2 hours… then maybe a day, and so on.
Thanks, Wayne! Happy Positive Thinking Day to you and all of your readers! Let’s change the world… one thought at a time!
Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D. | Soul Psychologist | kharrell@ipopin.com | 937.477.5626 Change your mind... change your life... one minute at a time!
