I heard tonight that when the human brain was studied that we make more room for the negative memories rather than the positive memories. As I started to think about the things in my life that STAND OUT the most in my life the negative thoughts BY FAR out numbered the good ones. It really made me start to think that if I make the effort to fill my brain with positive thoughts... that my brain would have to "make more space" for the positive thoughts; therefore push some of the negative thoughts to lower priority space in my brain. HUM??? I do think that since I stopped watching the news, lessened the amount of meaningless sitcoms I watch (don't get me wrong...I'm still a devoted fan to several mindless shows), listening to praise music more than other options that my happiness comes much easier day in and day out. Just something to consider for all of us that want to live much happier lives!!!
Here are a few quotes and articles that I found helpful as I did some research on this:
1. "If we would spend the same amount of time dwelling on our victories as we do our disappointments; you would see your life go to a whole new level." Joel Osteen
2. Occasional big positive experiences—say, a birthday bash—are nice. But they don't make the necessary impact on our brain to override the tilt to negativity. It takes frequent small positive experiences to tip the scales toward happiness.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200306/our-brains-negative-bias
3. It turns out that a strategy I started years ago apparently can be effective. I have a “kudos” file in which I put all the praise I’ve received, along with e-mails from friends or family that make me feel particularly good.As Professor Baumeister noted in his study, “Many good events can overcome the psychological effects of a bad one.” In fact, the authors quote a ratio of five goods for every one bad.That’s a good reminder that we all need to engage in more acts of kindness — toward others and ourselves — to balance out the world.
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