The choice (yes a choice) of utilizing a positive outlook can change your experience as you move through recovery, and in fact as you move through life. Our attitude determines the way we receive information from the outside and is positioned to look for what is right in any given situation or for what’s wrong with it.
In order to really look at ourselves we need to be a little objective and try to see ourselves the way others see us – to me this is a true definition of humility, it reinforces the belief that I am not more or less than another human being. It helps to look at our self-talk, what does it tell you?
Our thoughts or tell us a lot about the beliefs that drive our outlook and behavior. For example, you may have negative thoughts about yourself or are judgmental or dismissive of others. Often we hold a standard which is higher than what’s reasonable at the time, often this standard is rigid and based upon ‘shoulds’. This attitude will not keep us in the moment and in fact alienates us from ourselves and from others.
Take a step back, try to be objective and spend time today with your thoughts…are you critical or non-judgmental; dismissive or accepting; unsympathetic or loving – are you a complainer or are you making lemonade 
?
One thought which runs through my mind is ‘I’m going to be okay’ – this is interesting as it seems to be affirming and yet it invalidates the moment as not being okay – I am not okay in the present moment. I have become aware of this and now confront it with “I am okay”. May seem silly but it works to shift the way I see myself and my environment to consider what is right, right now, and not what is wrong.
Examine your thoughts today…what do they say? Confront the negative ones and work on creating positive affirmation to validate the moment, to be accepting and to come from a place of loving kindness in treating yourself well, and others.
