Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 71 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.
10 Signposts for Establishing Positive Habits
Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 71 of our Trek, and yesterday we learned that affirmations must always be connected to action before any progress is made on our trek of life. On today’s trail, we will focus on overcoming negativity by filling our minds and life with positive habits.
We are recording our podcast from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Jarvis family gathering at The Big House this weekend was a real blessing and a great time with family.  Paula and I are very fortunate and blessed to have close family ties on both sides of our family. After cleaning up Sunday morning, we headed back south to Home2 in Indian Trail, North Carolina for the next couple of weeks. As we split our time between the two locations, we find ourselves enjoying the different aspects of both locations. Each has its special benefits and nuances.
As we think about traveling, let’s break camp and move out on our Trek today. We will study the 10 signposts along the trail that will help us to infuse positive habits in our lives. These habits will benefit us when we face the difficult and rough areas of life’s trails. As these habits are woven into the fabric of our lives, they will help us navigate the rough parts of the trail that we encounter with less difficulty and stress.
 
10 Signposts for Establishing Positive Habits
It's tough to argue against the power of positive habits that come through consistent positive thinking. A multitude of studies, data, and anecdotal evidence support the notion that optimists experience less stress, possess stronger immune systems, and have overall better health than their Debby Downer counterparts. But it's not always easy to look on the bright side. In our overbooked and over-connected lives, getting caught up in a cycle of worry, anxiety, and negative thoughts is a norm in many of our lives.
One of the many wonderful things about positive habits is that anyone can acquire positivity with consistent and persistent practice of these habit traits, and a good sense of humor always helps.
As a start, we need to practice not taking ourselves too serious. Most other people in our lives don’t either. It is certainly worthwhile to visit the 10 signposts for establishing positive habits each day. Take control over your thinking, your habits, and your own happiness.
1. Practice Gratitude
Remembering all the good things that you have makes it a whole lot easier not to focus on what you don't have. Be thankful and appreciate the abundance in your life rather than dwelling on what feels lacking. Practicing gratitude is rule #1 for shifting your thinking from negative to positive.
Ephesians 5:20, "And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2.   Surround Yourself with Supportive People
Do all that you can to minimize your interaction with anyone who is a "Negative Nancy" or a "Negative Ned." Creating an inner circle filled with support and encouragement is the next step. Having people around who see the best in you will help you see the best in yourself.  Jesus had his own inner circle, even among the small group of the 12 apostles.  Many times Jesus took Peter, James and John alone with him.  Two of the most memorable times were at His transfiguration in Matthew 17:1 and during His hours of anguish before his trial and crucifixion in Matthew 26:37.
3.   Ditch the Drama
Separate from your toxic friends and associates. Say goodbye to those friends that always have drama in their lives and suck you into their manufactured issues and end up bringing you down.