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Spiritual: January 03, 2007 Issue [#1463]

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Spiritual


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  Edited by: NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? In this Newsletter I hope to show you how positive thinking can make a real difference...

Your guest-Editor: kittiara


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Letter from the editor

I don't know about you, but I've been looking forward to 2007. For many people I know, and for myself as well, 2006 wasn't the easiest of years. It feels like there have been more downs than ups, and I can't help but hope that 2007 will be a bit easier. The beginning of a new year always gives me a sense of a fresh start. Though I know that that is not really true, it gives me a feeling similar to opening a new Word document to start a new story, or turning to a blank page in my notebook, pen at the ready.

Whilst the last year has not been easy, it has provided me with food for thought, and certainly there have been a few lessons well learned. For one, I have discovered that I can be quite the pessimist and that that can be destructive on many levels, not in the least to spiritual growth.

I guess it has a lot to do with how I have been raised – I've been taught to expect the worst, so that I wouldn't be disappointed when the worst happens and can only be pleasantly surprised when the outcome is better than expected. It doesn't quite work like that, though. I tend to foresee all sorts of gloomy outcomes, think of the worst-case scenarios, but secretly hope that the outcome will be good, so if the worst does happen, I still end up disappointed. And I think that if you expect an unpleasant outcome, it more often than not happens. Just because of the mindset you are in when you undertake a task.

There are people, I know a few of them, who are eternal optimists. They seem to go through life looking on the bright side of things, and they seem happy, and good things seem to happen to them. Other people are drawn to them because they radiate positive energy and they are good people to be around. Lately, I have been trying the “think happy thoughts” strategy and, though it doesn't come easily to me, it seems to work.

I have a lot to look forward to in the coming year, and will face quite a few challenges along the way. My natural instinct is to be rather daunted by this, and to dread the challenges. I am going to try the more optimistic route.

Let me give you an example: I need to find a new job. My natural pessimistic side warns me that I don't know if I am ready for a new job. I dread job interviews. I could get an anxiety attack. The interviewers won't like me anyway. I'll probably make a fool of myself. So what's the point, I won't get a job anyway, and besides, there aren't many jobs available in this area, so why even look?
Trying the optimistic approach, and using a bit of logic instead of gloom, puts this challenge in a whole new perspective – I'm in a good position to find a job I'd really enjoy. I can afford to go for a part-time position, which will leave me time for studies and my writing. I may dread interviews, but there's help available from job agencies and job centres, who can do mock interviews with me to help me become more at ease. I can post my CV online, which will reach employers who might not advertise in local newspapers.

If I would go for an interview, expecting the worst and fearing an anxiety attack, there's a greater chance that I will be very uncomfortable, which might lessen my chances of getting a position I would enjoy. If I go in with a more optimistic mindset, my chances of getting the job will increase.

I have found that pessimism not only hinders me in doing the things I want to do, a negative way of thinking can also lead to anxiety and depression and it hinders spiritual growth. Once caught in a negative mindset, you can get locked into a capsule of gloom, and that is not very constructive at all, not too mention, it is not very enjoyable. So this year I am going to look on the bright side of life and tackle those challenges.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year, and many happy thoughts. Hopefully, 2007 will be a great year for all of us!

kittiara


Editor's Picks

For this Newsletter I have chosen some items on positive thinking, optimism, and the importance of not just giving up. I hope you will enjoy them *Smile*.

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#587792 by Not Available.


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#907262 by Not Available.


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#1068977 by Not Available.


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#1193663 by Not Available.


Beliefs Open in new Window. (E)
What we believe about ourselves, affects us more than what is actually true
#1189470 by MichaelD Author IconMail Icon


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#1187785 by Not Available.


 Don't Get Your Hopes Down Open in new Window. (E)
The path to success
#1186196 by EDWARD KENNETH Author IconMail Icon


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#1184272 by Not Available.

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

We welcome any and all feedback, thoughts and suggestions for this Newsletter, so please don't hesitate to write in!

~~~

Incurable Romantic Author Icon - Kitti, I fully agree with your suggestion of looking at ourselves like others see us. Someone told me decades ago that each of us is our own worst critic. Your observations have confirmed that. It may be a challenge for some of us, but it's certainly worth a try. Thanks for the excellent suggestion.

Thanks so much for your encouraging feedback *Smile*.

~~~

AmyBallantyne Author Icon - What a wonderful message, Kitti! Thank you for reminding me to love myself like I love others. I have the same problem, and found myself agreeing with everything you said. You really encouraged me.

Thank you as well! I am glad that my Editorial encouraged you *Smile*.

~~~

Wren Author Icon - I appreciate your topic in this newsletter. Although I don't know if love of others 'as we love ourselves' is a tenet of other religions, I suspect it has a unversality common to most people.

An example of why it is necessary to love ourselves is this. I have heard myself thinking, if not saying, "If I can do this, anyone can." That demonstrates a poor opinion of myself, and may be a real slap in the face to someone who doesn't have that particular talent--not a very loving attitude toward either of us.

I've found myself guilty of doing the exact same, and I agree with you. I'm still working on loving myself, but I reckon I'll get there, one day *Smile*. Thanks so much for your feedback!

~~~

Hope you all have a lovely week *Smile*.

kittiara

Your Spiritual Newsletter Team:

Becky Simpson Author Icon, Puditat Author Icon, windac

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