How to Have a Positive Attitude

How to Have a Positive Attitude

by Elisabeth Aaron

September 29, 2015

Great Works

In the realm of temporal life, very little of your happiness depends on your outward circumstances; most of your happiness here on earth comes from having a positive attitude and outlook on life. Positivity creates most of the happiness we feel in our daily lives. But many people struggle with keeping a positive attitude, so how can we attain it? Here are a few steps that can help all of us.

1.  Be grateful in your circumstances

A huge part of being positive is being grateful. But what is gratitude? Although it’s important to be grateful for our blessings, that’s not all gratitude is. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that “Perhaps focusing on what we are grateful for is the wrong approach. It is difficult to develop a spirit of gratitude if our thankfulness is only proportional to the number of blessings we can count. True, it is important to frequently ‘count our blessings’—and anyone who has tried this knows there are many—but I don’t believe the Lord expects us to be less thankful in times of trial than in times of abundance and ease. In fact, most of the scriptural references do not speak of gratitude for things but rather suggest an overall spirit or attitude of gratitude.”[1] Very rarely can we change our circumstances, so, rather than worry over them, it’s better to be grateful in them. When Corrie and Betsie Ten Boom were in a Concentration Camp during World War II, they read in the Bible that they should, “give thanks in all circumstances.”[2] Corrie began to pray, thanking God that they had each other, the Bible, and that they were so cramped that others in the Camp could listen as they read from the scriptures. Betsie added that they were grateful for the fleas which constantly surrounded them. Corrie believed this was too far. She didn’t think she could be grateful for fleas. But Betsie was adamant. The scripture said to “give thanks in all circumstances,” not just pleasant ones. So they expressed gratitude for everything, including the fleas (which they later learned were also a blessing). Because they had a grateful attitude they were able to find peace and happiness in the darkest of days and the most difficult of circumstances.

2.  Look for the good in yourself and others

One thing that brings negativity into our lives is judgmentalism. If we are constantly noticing what’s wrong in others, it makes us think more negatively, think badly of ourselves, and eventually feel miserable. But, on the other hand, if we look for good qualities in others, and seek to uplift people, we, by result, think more positively—yet humbly—of ourselves. That creates positivity in us. It helps us feel that there is hope, and that we all have worth. “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”[3] Looking at others and ourselves as having great worth is like looking through positivity glasses. It helps us see everything in a better light.

3.  Keep an eternal perspective

Many things that get us down are the day-to-day trials and hardships. But what are those in the grand scheme of things? Keeping an eternal perspective can help us keep a positive attitude because we know that in the next life everything will be just and fair. Keeping an eternal perspective is just reminding ourselves that there is more to existence than this life and that we can live again with our Heavenly Father and have eternal joy no matter what our current circumstance. God isn’t racist or sexist or at all biased against or towards us. He loves us and gives everyone a chance. “All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”[4]

4.  Spend time around positive people

When we are constantly surrounding ourselves with pessimistic, negative people, it’s hard to keep up a positive outlook on life. Not that it’s impossible, but it’s much easier to keep a positive outlook on life when surrounded by optimistic, positive people. I personally find that I feel much happier around people who uplift and are positive than around people who put down others and are negative. Unhealthy relationships often consist of at least one person who thinks and speaks negatively. Sometimes we have to cut off some ties to friends who always make us think badly of ourselves, others, or life.

Don’t let circumstances control how you feel or who you are. You are in control, or, rather, God is in control if you’ll let Him. Using these steps to live with a positive attitude will help you feel happier with your life, and will, ultimately, help you be happier in the life to come.

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[1] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Grateful in Any Circumstances,” Liahona or Ensign, May 2014; 70, 75-77

[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

[3] Doctrine and Covenants 18:10

[4] Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (2004), 52