In author Nkechi Ajaeroh’s book, Elevate Your Life with the Power of Positive Perception: What I Now Know for Sure, she talks about how positive perception can lead us to personal growth and elevation. She stated,
“…I personally believe that it is imperative to positively perceive the circumstances around you in order to create, elevate and grow. With all the negativity going on in the world today, it becomes even more important to see the good in every situation.”
Many people become lost in the search for well-being and happiness because the murky waters of life’s trenches grab hold of them and distract them from their goals. It’s human nature to become wary of potential disasters, and so we may easily find ourselves becoming critical, holding back and putting a stop to our dreams because we simply don’t want to face the risks. Perception is everything, however, and those in recovery will find that the mindset of positivity in and of itself can be the difference between a person who is surviving versus one who is thriving.
In 2017, researchers published a study in the journal Addiction & Recovery that highlights how those in addiction recovery experience quality of life – especially when they put a positive “spin” on their daily experiences. They discovered that recovery communities can rely on their hope, faith and positivity to navigate uncharted waters; it is through personal choice of having a positive mindset that a person is likely to experience a much higher quality of life (QOL). If you’re ready to begin living a life that is much enriching, begin by changing your mindset:
- When negative thoughts arise, combat them with something positive
- Distance yourself from people, places and things that do not add value to your life or do not uplift you
- Spend time engaging in healthy activities that fill you with joy
- As you wake up in the morning, make a deliberate decision that you have the strength to get through whatever today may bring
As you continue to practice positivity in your daily life, you’ll find that your world becomes much bigger – and much brighter, indeed.
Cumberland Heights is a nonprofit alcohol and drug-addiction treatment center located on the banks of the Cumberland river in Nashville, Tennessee. On a sprawling 177-acre campus, we are made up of 2 12-Step immersion campuses, 12 outpatient recovery centers and 4 sober living homes. We believe that each person has a unique story to tell – and that’s why we always put the patient first.
