[Sweety]

I saw an interesting documentary about positive thinking a while back and it really affected me totally and profoundly. I realized that I was thinking negatively maybe 99 percent of the time. I decided then and there that I was going to try to think positively from then on. It has been a real challenge!

I've always thought of people that were really nice and chipper as kind of annoying and living in a dream world so it was never something that I aspired to. But I've come to realize that I being positive doesn't have to be phony or placating to others. In my own mind I can think positive thoughts and try to meet the challenge of keeping a positive attitude, and when I interact with others I can simply be nice and kind. Like Terri!

One thing that has really helped me is when I'm thinking negative things or brooding over something I pretend in my mind that I am watching this negative thing on a tv and in my mind I switch the channel. I have dozens of variations on this visual imagery that help me 'change the channel' and stop the negative thought.

Something that I also do that helps me alot is when I lie down I start to imagine the perfect place for me. I was surprised to find it is not a grassy knoll under a tree on the perfect day lol. For me the perfect place involved the right decor. I love a beautiful decor and I really imagine every detail, often changing this or that and it give me such a good feeling inside.

It is a mystical thing to say, but I believe when you have good feelings and good thoughts that these things are attracted to you and come your way. It might be a hard thing to believe, but at the very least I get to be happy, and that is worth all the mental excercises.

I hope some of you have had thoughts or experiences of this subject and I would be really glad to hear some of them.

 

[Richard157]

Hello Sweety. My diabetes rarely depresses me becayse I have had diabetes since I was 6. I do not remember any other kind of life. Things keep getting better, not worse. The amount of information available, the newer technology, the improved insulins and meds, the glucose meters and pumps all make me do better and better so I think positive almost all the time. I think someone who has been diagnosed as an adult is more prone to be depressed because they remember what it was like before diagnosis. I am pleased to hear that your thinking of positive things and turning off the negatives in your mind works for you. You may never need a counselor since you are able to handle your would-be depressions so well. Good for you!

Richard

 

[Sweety]

While I can say I have been depressed at times I must admit that this was the case long before I was diagnosed. I am very glad to hear that you have had a happy mental attitude your whole life long. I hope and am confident that it will continue this way for you.