Change the Channel and Tune in to You
When I'm in a positive state of mind, I tend to see and experience more of the good in the world.
View of the shoreline from a boat
Image shot in Carvoeiro, Portugal
Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you — Mary Lou Retton
Writing a blog is an emotional journey, and it's easy to get sidetracked. After I returned from Portugal in May, I was quickly confronted with the need to find a new job. That, combined with getting sucked into a relentless stream of negative news, left me feeling disempowered and stuck. For a while, the very idea of building a better life felt impossible. I realized two things immediately: First, I am sure that I’m not alone. Many people feel fear and frustration right now, leading to the sense that nothing can be done about the negative things happening in the world today. Second, I realized I had a choice: stay stuck in the negative vortex, or find a way out.
Refusing to stay stuck in that negativity, I quickly rallied my resources. I reconnected with friends and family, sought out fun activities, and revisited old sources of hope, including some recordings from Louise Hay about using affirmations. These affirmations aren't about pretending things are perfect; they are about giving yourself permission to reactivate hope. The message is simple: this too shall pass, and from this challenge, only good will come. Since none of us can predict the future, we have the power to decide that things will work out. As my friend Paula often says, "What if it all works out?" It's a small phrase with immense power.
For those new to the idea, affirmations are simply anything you say to yourself, positive or negative. You might think you're "just being realistic" when you have a negative thought, but ask yourself how that thought makes you feel. For me, any thought along the lines of "I'm not good enough" feels terrible. If we can control what we think, and we can, why wouldn't we choose to think happy thoughts? I stopped watching the news because I noticed it consistently put me in a bad mood and filled my mind with disempowering thoughts. By eliminating that input, I created space for positivity.
When I'm in a positive state of mind, I tend to see and experience more of the good in the world. This isn't "woo-woo" thinking; it's a practical reality. Your positive thinking literally changes your reality. So, once you catch yourself in a negative thought pattern, what's the first step? According to Louise Hay, it's to repeat positive affirmations to yourself. These are phrases that affirm what you want in the present moment, shifting your focus away from what you don't want and changing the channel on your mental state.
The following affirmation is one of my favorites from Louise Hay, and is well known by the millions who still follow her. She suggested that anytime you find yourself in the negativity trap, you repeat this affirmation: “All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. Out of this situation, only good will come. I am safe.” Say it and believe it. If you still feel a sense of doubt, keep repeating it until the doubt has gone.
Louise Hay, a metaphysical writer who built her own publishing empire, was a pioneer in showing how our thoughts directly impact our health. She helped popularize the powerful idea of the mind-body connection, bringing to light how our mental state can manifest as physical disease. Her teachings provide a strong foundation for self-improvement based on a few key principles: consistently repeating positive affirmations to create your desired reality, forgiving everyone in your life to release emotional baggage, and taking 100% responsibility for where you are right now.
Now that we've learned how to change the channel on our mental state, let's talk about what happens when we intentionally choose our horizon. This is where we apply this positive mindset to the bigger goals in our lives, like working toward early retirement.
Instead of worrying about inflation: Focus on finding ways to increase your income, optimize your budget, or invest more efficiently.
Instead of complaining about politics: Divert that energy into building your financial plan and creating a life that is less dependent on external forces.
Instead of feeling helpless about the environment: Focus on small, personal changes you can make and on building a life where you have the freedom to live more sustainably later on.
The journey to a life of intention and effectiveness isn't about avoiding the world's problems; it's about actively choosing your focus. By taking control of your thoughts and actions, you are not just getting your mind right—you are actively building the life you want, one positive thought and intentional action at a time.
