I am so tired of positive is perfect

I have been following this debate in the comments section over the last 3 days and I must say that it has been, and still is, a very informative and robust debate - which should not be a surprise because the topic is quite "beefy." Permit me to ask a question: (Since the aspect of positive thinking is being questioned) what do you guys think of this: This is a quote I found at an article at www.selfgrowth.com "Focus on the positive. Admit any negative feelings you may have, deal with them, and m

Cheryl, you make a good point about "social promotion" being "positive thinking" with potential negative results but I am sixty years old and when I was in school students got "left" all the time. The problem was most of the time, the students that got "left" dropped out of school. The education system decided it was better to promote poor students and keep them in school than to hold them back a grade and have them drop out of school. Kind of like. "damned if you do and damned if you don't" If

"Contrary statements, disagreements and thinly veiled derision are all matters that can generate inter-action, argument or conversation - THEY DO NOT CONSTITUTE ATTACKS!!!!!" Arthur, it can be a real challenge not to take disagreements with our cherished beliefs personal but we all need our cherished beliefs challenged or questioned to either change them or make them stronger. Some of the closest of friends don't see eye to eye on everything but those disagreements don't destroy their friendsh

But that's okay because it is 'positive', the child's ego was protected (positive) even though the end result is that child is at a severe disadvantage to cope with life (extremely negative).

Let me give you a real world example of the damage done by 'positive thinking'. Our educational system has something called "social promotion." Social promotion means that no matter who badly a student fails his or her classes that student gets promoted along with his peers. The idea behind it is that positive self esteem must be maintained even if this child is incapable of performing academically at his grade level. the reality of this child's situation is termed negative and damaging. Eve

Pointing out the error in a particular way of thinking is not "attacking" unless, of course, those promoting the particular way of thinking have no real defence for their particular way of thinking. Contrary statements, disagreements and thinly veiled derision are all matters that can generate inter-action, argument or conversation - THEY DO NOT CONSTITUTE ATTACKS!!!!! Retreat behind your moat and drawbridge if you like. It is not possible to advance from an entrernched defensive position but it

"It is disappointing to see the very idea of being a positive person being attacked." I'm glad you had the nerve enough to say that, Gerry because I feel the same way. I work in a psychiatric hospital and one of my favorite patients has the "delusion" that he is "the richest man in America" and he is always in his mind giving money and things away. And you know, despite being mentally ill, he is happy and he brings a smile to all who encounter him. One of my daily affirmaions is "I am a man of w

Why does everything have to be seen is such extremes. I don't live that way and I venture to say that no one who has posted here does either. It is disappointing to see the very idea of being a positive person being attacked. There is nothing wrong with a positive outlook and attitude on life. As long as that person doesn't live in some sort of fantasy world denying what goes on around them, they are perfectly fine to choose a good attitude over bad and positive over negative. There is no re

The problem is that Attitude by itself produces nothing. Attitude does absolutely nothing unless it is coupled with action. Neither Negative Nellie not Positive Polly understands this. As a result of inaction, (on Nellie's part "it's going to happen anyway because that's the way it is."), on Polly's part (The universe is going to bring me good things) whatever that bad thing is it happens because both are waiting for the universe to prove them right instead of tackling the problem. If you ar

Arthur, I Love oxymorons, pardadoxes, and Mysteries because they require questions and can produce Faith. I have heard you imply in other articles that "questions" are of greater value than "answers" and I wholeheartedly agree. Bring on the oxymorons! LOL!

Gerry, you speak as though attitude is a constant. It is far from it. My attitudes towards the deaths of my wives was different in each case - not bcause I loved them differently but because the circumstances around each death were different. Attitude is a wonderfully flexible attribute. It can make you adventurous when fearfulness seems appropriate, it can make you accept things that are not to your liking but which are very beneficial to others - most important of all, attitude can take you ou

Hey, Gerry, I remember that same Chuck Swindoll teaching many years ago. Thanks for bringing it back into my mind and heart. I may have little control of what happens to me tomorrow while at times I may have little control of my emotions and thoughts but I thank God that after "the dusts settles" I can make an "attitude adjustment" and be what I think God wants me to be, a caring, grateful and positive thinking Realist.

I can't put it any better than this, read it years ago and still follow it to this day:
Chuck Swindoll wrote, "“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

Cheryl, a good dream is in itself "positive thinking". A bad dream is in itself negative thinking, a nightmare. All action is preceded by thought or thinking. The only things that motivate a sentient being to action is thinking, feeling and intuition. Before you act you must think. If that is the case then "positivity" is the more appropriate mindset than "negativity". Dare to Dream, Cheryl!

PMA is almost the most invasive mind virus that was ever created by man to infest man. This virus swims around just under the surface of the psyche and interferes with natural processes that have been in existence since the first single celled creature realised it had left the ooze and was about to die. One of the most dangerous and destructive brands of humanity is the psychologist. This is a person who knows nothing but can theorise about everything. A psychologist will extrapolate incomplete

And that Garry is the definition of a realist, not a Positive Polly.

Polly IS misunderstood. People think she doesn't see the "real" world around her which is a misunderstanding of who she is. She is not stupid. She does not deny the bad things that happen to her and around her. What she does do is decide to take positive action to resolve those situations. Does she ever get depressed? Of course she does. But she doesn't believe she will change the world by "thinking" positive. She will affect her own destiny by "acting" in a positive, proactive manner.

@Zigortools. You are correct there will never be a perfect balance but if you take the actions necessary to achieve what you want to deal with possible negative outcomes you will have a positive result. You will not get that result by 'thinking positive'. I know plenty of positive thinkers who have achieved nothing in their lifetime because they were too busy 'thinking positive' instead of taking steps to bring the positive result that they want. 'Think positive' seems to be a very popular (

Yes I do say Dare to dream But I will not tell you to "think positive" in achieving your dream. I will tell you to put your nose to the grindstone and work. Perform the action necessary to reach that dream and you don't need to 'think' because you are performing the action that will bring it to you. and there's the rub. You have to get off your rear end and stop thinking and start doing.

There is a type of positivity that is too much and reads as disengenous "niceness" and there is negativity that is to much and reads as anger. To deny that either has its place is ignorant but to find a balance between them is near impossible. It seems to me that at any given time one is either too positive or too negative?