The Amazing Story of The Happy Musician (Sometimes Less is More) – Motivational Speech

The Amazing Story of The Happy Musician (Sometimes Less is More) (Motivational Video) – Watch On Youtube:

Download or Stream more inspirational speeches and music by Fearless Soul on iTunes, Spotify, GooglePlay, Apple Music, AmazonMP3, Deezer and Worldwide MP3 Download

Transcript – The Amazing Story of The Happy Musician (Sometimes Less is More)

I’d like to share with you all this amazing story I came across which highlights the fact that sometimes LESS is MORE and sometimes MORE is LESS.


On a small tourist island village lived a talented local musician.
 The musician played at the local bar for minimal wage.
A tourist visiting the island complimented the musician on his original songs and asked how many shows he did per week.
“Not many, usually 3 per week” the musician answered.
“Why didn’t you do more?” Asked the tourist… wondering why the musician wasn’t cashing in on his talent.
The musician explained that the small amount of shows were sufficient to meet his needs and that of his family.
“But what do you do with the rest of your time?” Asked the tourist…
“We sleep late, work a little, play with our children, and spend time with our partners. During the day, we go into the town to see our friends, we spend time in nature, meditate and enjoy life”
The tourist interrupted…
“I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you!
You should start by doing more shows every week. Then you will make more money. With the extra revenue, you can buy a better equipment to sell your music online.”

“And after that?”


“With the extra money the online revenue will bring, you can hire a manager, a promoter and a personal assistant. Instead of playing local shows, you can sell your music to the world and become famous. You can then leave this little island and move to London, Los Angeles, or even New York City!
From there you can have anything you desire.”
“How long would that take?”
“Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years.” replied the tourist.

“And after that?”


“Afterwards? Well my friend, that’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the tourist…
“When you get really big, you can start buying and selling stocks or property and make millions more!”

“Millions? Really? And after that?” asked the musician.


“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny island village near the coast, sleep late, work a little, play with your children, and spend time with your partner. During the day, you can go into the town to see your friends, spend time in nature, meditate and enjoy life”…
“With all due respect sir, that’s exactly what we are doing now. So what’s the point wasting twenty-five years?” asked the musician…

The moral of this story is this:

Sometimes less is more and sometimes more is less.
Know where you’re going in life, you may already be there!
 Know at the very least where you WANT to go… it may not be that far away.
Stress less and ENJOY more.
 
Think less about the future and spend more time in the NOW.
There’s nothing wrong with striving to be your best self… but don’t get attached to THINGS, MONEY or ACHIEVEMENTS to determine your value in life.
Happiness, great relationships, peace and health are better measures.

Original writing by German writer Heinrich Böll – Adapted uniquely by Fearless Soul

The post The Amazing Story of The Happy Musician (Sometimes Less is More) appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

Piece of Good – Official Music Video – Fearless Soul

PIECE OF GOOD by Fearless Soul – Watch FREE On Youtube:

Download or Stream “PIECE OF GOOD” on iTunes, Spotify, GooglePlay, Apple Music, AmazonMP3, Deezer and Worldwide MP3 Download
Written and Performed by Rachael Schroeder | Music Composed by Patrick Rundblad

LYRICS – Piece of Good – Official Music Video – Fearless Soul

Spend a little time
Thinking ‘bout the good in life
Even when you have to look a little closer
If you’re feeling down
There’s still happiness around
Waiting to be found
and shared with another

So don’t let fear take away from joy
There’s always love near
in the world
From the early light of the sunrise
To the stars shining bright
There’s always a piece of good
For each of us in life

Give a little more
When you find your way back up
No one truly does anything alone
A simple smile
Can be the best difference
Take a moment to be who you needed

And don’t let fear take away from joy
There’s always love near in the world
From the early light of the sunrise
To the stars shining bright
There’s always a piece of good
For each of us in life

Every day brings new change
We always choose who we want to be
Every day brings new change
We always choose who we want to be

So don’t let fear take away from joy
There’s always love near in the world
From the early light of the sunrise
To the stars shining bright
There’s always a piece of good
There’s always a piece of good
There’s always a piece of good
For each of us in life

Listen on Spotify:

The post Piece of Good – Official Music Video – Fearless Soul appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

It is not possible to be positive ALL the time. Do this instead.

How Do I Be Positive All The Time? – The Answer Is Not What You Expect – Inspirational Speech

How Do I Be Positive All The Time? – Inspirational Speech – Watch FREE On Youtube:

Download or Stream “How Do I Be Positive All The Time?” –  Now on iTunes, Spotify, GooglePlay, Apple Music, AmazonMP3, Deezer and Worldwide MP3 Download
Speakers: Josiah Ruff

Transcript – How Do I Be Positive All The Time? – Inspirational Speech

So this young man asked his mentor: “How Do I Be Positive All The Time?”

The mentor responded: “Not be human… because no human is positive all the time.”

It is impossible for any human to achieve a state of positivity 100% of the time.

And so… the goal should not be to achieve a state of perfection… because that doesn’t exist.

Instead… The goal should be to grow.

To do the daily self work that creates YOUR best self. The best version of YOU.

And in that daily self-work you will find clarity.  In that daily self-work you will find intention. And absolutely… in that daily self work you will bring out MORE positivity every day.

You will NOT be perfect.
 Perfection doesn’t exist. 

It will not happen overnight.
 No great change happens that fast.

There WILL be set backs.
 There will be negative moments.
 There will be negative reactions.
 Some old negative patterns will come up.

But, if you are committed to continue working on yourself every day, those negative moments will not last. They will become less and less frequent and less and less meaningful…

because what comes out, is always what is inside… and if what is inside you is mainly positive, then what will come out will be mainly positive.

So feed yourself with that positivity and intention every day. Find what resonates with you in books, audio… the best teachers that make YOU better.

Commit to feed yourself that positivity with the same importance you give food or water.

 The food is fuel for your physical body, and the self work is fuel for your soul… feed both every single day for a truly strong life.

The post How Do I Be Positive All The Time? – The Answer Is Not What You Expect appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

Imagination is the ability of the mind to simulate objects, people and/or ideas that haven’t yet happened in reality.

Like many functions of the human mind, scientists cannot yet fully understand imagination. It’s believed that imagination is a network which shares information across different regions of the brain.

We all have access to the power of our imagination, but are we using it to our greatest advantage?

Is there unlocked potential lying within our ability to imagine?

When we are young, imagination comes to us easily. Without effort, we are able to create elaborate stories, ideas and characters. Which provide hours of fun and entertainment.

But as we get older, often our imagination fades. As the responsibilities of “growing up” increase, the time and space to spend accessing our imagination slowly becomes less and less. And like anything in the body that is left underused, over that time our creative imagination gets weaker and weaker.

This is a real shame because imagination has a great role and value in our lives.

Imagination is much more than having your head in the clouds or daydreaming. In fact, we are constantly using our imagination. We spend a lot of our time in our minds thinking about what our day will look like, how a conversation will go or what is up next on our to-do list

This is using our imagination unconsciously.

To use our imagination consciously for creativity is to decide what we want to focus on and use our imagination to drive energy towards that outcome. Using our imagination in this way is accessing the power necessary to create something, be it a project, a piece of writing, painting a picture or even cooking a meal!

“Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it’s produced the most extraordinary results in human culture.” Ken Robinson | Unlock Your Imagination

So how do we start to use our imaginations consciously and consistently and access our unique creative spark?

It’s actually really simple. You just need to practice.

How To Unlock And Embrace The Incredible Power Of Your Imagination

You don’t need to learn how to imagine something. You know how to do that. What you need to do is decide to make expanding and using your imagination a priority in your life. Start by spending 5 minutes a day daydreaming. Let your mind wander instead of trying to focus it on a particular task. By using your imagination more regularly and easing into your own unique imaginative process you will grow and develop your imagination.

With regular practice, you will become better and better at consciously using your imagination and therefore you will be more discerning about how and where you focus your energy and creativity.

Like anything new, learning this process will take time. If you stick with it, you will have added an invaluable tool into your life that will flow into all aspects of your world.

Expand Your Creative Output With Jeff Bellow 

The post How To Unlock And Embrace The Incredible Power Of Your Imagination appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

Over the past few decades, “cultural diversity” has been a phrase adopted and thrown around by the masses, but what does it really mean?

Seriously, if you search that phrase on Google, nearly every article is about cultural diversity in the workplace.  One would think that the only value of cultural diversity had to do with improving company profits.

Or learning how to “play nicely” with others from different backgrounds or cultures when you’re at work – and embracing its value because it’s the “thing to do.”

Cultural Diversity beyond the Workplace

Taking a deeper look, when we choose to view the world through a new lens (with a 24/7 mindset) – one that embraces and celebrates our differences – we begin to truly understand the “oneness” of all people.  The concept sinks in and becomes a part of our very being.

Being curious, respectful and appreciative of other ethnicities, religious beliefs, politic affiliations, gender identification, and other differences adds immeasurable value to our lives when we are open to widening our scope of understanding.

Learning about and appreciating our differences does not mean that we need to adopt others’ beliefs, attitudes, affiliations, or cultural differences.

It simply expands our base of knowledge, stimulates thinking about our own culture and beliefs, and heightens our awareness.

Common Challenges

Here are some common reasons that embracing cultural diversity seems to be challenging for many people:

• Fearing the “unknown” – people, things, and experiences that are new and different
• Assuming people who are culturally different may try to convert you to adopt their views, beliefs or attitudes
• Being brought up in an environment in which respect for cultural differences was discouraged
• Feeling safer with experiences that fall within your typical comfort zone
• Approaching the idea from a place of “ego” and viewing others who are perhaps very different as inferior

It’s natural to be where we are based on our history and where our individual paths have led us thus far.

So you have a choice.  Do you really want to stay right where you are?

Or do you want to learn and grow and expand your understanding beyond your current realm of experience?

If you choose to embrace growth, become insatiably curious.  Explore.  Discover.  Engulf yourself in new adventures with a new lens of the world through different people, places, and experiences.

This will lead to a higher level of understanding about yourself and where you fit into the larger universal picture.

But if you’re not used to the idea of exploring beyond the people you typically experience, where do you start?

A Few Simple Ways to Begin Your Exploration

It can be easiest to begin your cultural diversity journey “behind the scenes,” by learning about other groups and cultures on your own at first, before connecting with individuals from cultures that are new to you.

In this way, you can get a feel for cultural differences and let those ideas sink in.  It also gives you some conversation material, as you can mention something you’ve seen or read as a spring board for dialogue about it.

You can learn a lot about different cultures most simply through their art and their food.

• Watch foreign or independent films about other cultures. Independent films are often character-driven and offer insights about how people within a culture interrelate, what their cultural priorities are, and ways of speaking.  You can find films about other ethnicities, as well as political affiliations, religious beliefs, gender identification, and other groups.
• Watching documentaries about a given culture or group can offer information about its history, beliefs, challenges, music, politics, and more.
• Similar to the above, read books about other groups and cultures.
• Learn about a culture’s food. When it comes to ethnicities, different cultures put differing emphasis on mealtimes and, often, sharing meals is a way of connecting in a meaningful way.

Next Steps

Once you’ve explored a bit on your own, start seeking out different groups to connect with.  Visit new places, even just within your community if it includes diverse populations.  Travel beyond your immediate area if opportunities to connect with diverse populations are limited in your own locale.

Or at the very least, be open-minded about meeting and conversing with new people in your everyday experiences.

Once you set an intent to explore life in this way with a new lens, you can expect the universe to bring new people into your awareness.

If you have trouble striking up conversations, bring a more extroverted friend or partner along with you and simply enjoy the conversations that unfold.

Keep in Mind

When connecting with others from different backgrounds…

• Ensure that your attitude is one of respectful curiosity and not judgement.
• Be aware of your body language and posture so that it’s open and inviting – not standoffish. (This goes for your overall energy, as well.)
• Ask questions (respectfully) and LISTEN to others’ responses with an open mind…with an intent to learn, understand, and connect.
• Ask more questions, and allow the conversation to flourish, exploring deeper topics along the way.

Just remember – we are all unique, yet we are all connected.  Truly, that’s what adds color, beauty, and intrigue to our lives.

The post Secrets to Viewing Life through a Lens of Cultural Diversity appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

If you’re like most humans on Earth, you have times when you feel “not good enough.” Maybe it’s an occasional thing, or maybe it’s how you feel most times. In either case, when you’re feeling like you’re not good enough or wishing you were different – a better version of yourself – remember this: You are not alone in feeling that way. And you are not only good enough, but better than you realize. 

I’ll share a personal story that still affects me – one where I’m still learning from this single message. When I was much younger, still in high school and trying to figure out who I was in relation to others, I discovered something that turned things upside down for me. As an adult, it sticks with me as a reminder about how things can appear in the bigger picture.

I had always felt awkward, and I didn’t feel that I truly fit in with others. Rather than being open or connecting with others, I kept interactions at a surface level.

I was too fearful to let anyone know the real me.

So I threw myself into everything I could as a way to focus on anything but me. I joined the yearbook committee, community service committee, drama club, joined the track team, entered talent shows and sang my heart out, painted, and was near the top of my class academically. I dedicated myself until I excelled at everything I could attach myself to. You would think I felt amazing.

I thought that by excelling in outward activities, I could feel worthy and “good enough” for others’ attention.

The funny thing? I later learned that OTHERS viewed me as “standoffish” and they thought I was too good for them! Rather than endearing myself to others in trying to feel or be good enough at all (and still feeling inadequate), others were turned off or intimidated or unsure about connecting with me at all.

“We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.” – Mary Dunbar

Appearances matter – but not in the way you might think. I was “appearing” to be great and amazing and “good enough” by all the wrong standards. I projected an image of having it all together and being “successful” to my peers, when inside I felt entirely differently.

It’s great to strive to be the best version of YOU possible. But what I learned is that being authentically ME is what endears me to others (and myself). Loving myself – awkwardness, insecurities, triumphs, talents, challenges, and everything in between. Because we are not alone in feeling “not good enough.”

We connect more deeply with others when we trust that it’s okay to be honest about who we are. When we are fearless in our approach and embracing our own authenticity – good, bad, or mediocre – wherever we happen to be on a given day in that moment – and the next – every day.  You ARE good enough. And we are all works in progress.

Here’s a thought-provoking TedX Talk video about removing negative self-talk and increasing mindfulness:

STRATEGIES AND REMINDERS FOR CULTIVATING FEELING & BEING “GOOD ENOUGH”

Below are some strategies and reminders to help move you from thinking you are not good enough to realizing how amazing you truly are.

1. Nurture Your Inner Child

We first develop our identities as children. But if you were not loved and nurtured in a way that supported a healthy self-loving attitude and understanding, your inner child needs to be healed. Take some time to consider what your inner child needs as if he or she were a real child – sitting in front of you and needing love and encouragement. What would you say to that child? Give your inner child all of the love and care you would give to any child who needed it. By doing this, you are building the inner foundation you need to grow and shine most brightly.

2. When You Feel Not Good Enough, Remember: We Are All Works in Progress

When you see others you deem as “successful,” remember that appearances are not always what they seem. We generally see in others only what they project, so until you really connect with someone at deeper levels, surface assumptions are most often limited and incorrect. Refrain from comparing yourself to others and bring your attention back to yourself. Focusing on your own progress and choices will be more far effective and authentic.

3. Accept and Embrace Who You Are Today – In This Moment

In order to be the best version of ourselves, we first need to be honest about who we are today – right now. So strip it down to the core without illusions. Spend time thinking about who you are, what you value, and every little thing that makes you unique and special. Perfection is overrated. If we were all “perfect,” the world would be a very boring place. It’s our very imperfections that add character and delight others. So accept yours and own them without excuses!

4. Rethink How You Define Yourself

As you think about how you define yourself, consider these thoughts as replacements for any outwardly-focused definitions or negative ones:

Spirit. Energy. Love. Limitless. Pure potential. Shining light. Fearless. Authentically ME.

When you use these strategies and reminders, you can more easily embrace your own authenticity and begin (or continue) your journey of self-discovery and self-love.

You ARE better than good enough – you are spirit – you are love – you are limitless!

The post Thoughts to Move You from Feeling Not Good Enough to Self-Loving – FEARLESSLY appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

When we aren’t feeling happy and content in life we certainly won’t find it easy to be productive. Our ability to get up and get moving in life is intimately connected to how we are feeling within ourselves.

If you are looking for some simple ways to increase your productivity and generate a sense of happiness and purpose for your life then look no further!

Here is a list of simple tips you can implement into your life that can boost your mood and help you to get on track.

12 Life Changing Tips for Happiness and Productivity

1. Meditate

Sit. Breathe. Take a moment to be present with yourself, here and now.

2. Spend time with loved ones

Spend time with those who love you unconditionally. Whether it’s family by blood or family by choice. The ones you love will always make you feel happy simply by being in their presence.

3. Tidy up

Make the conscious choice to clean and tidy your home, your car, even your desk at work. When we are surrounded by clutter and mess it’s hard to stay focused and on track. Clear the clutter and organize your space so that you feel in control of and happy with your environment.

4. Dance | Life Changing Tips

This is a no-brainer. Dance. In your car, on the street, in your lounge room. Put on some of your favourite music and let the beat move you.

5. Keep a journal

This practice is extremely powerful at unlocking the subconscious mind. You can start with one sentence, then two. Then a whole page. Let yourself free flow onto the page what is in your mind and on your heart. All the unspoken words you hold can find a place in your journal and you will heal by letting them out.

6. Take time for yourself

Let yourself be. Stop doing. Just for a bit. The world won’t fall apart. Make a cup of tea. Read a book. Get a massage. Whatever feels good to you, go do that.

7. Get outside | Life Changing Tips

Getting out into nature is one of the greatest, simplest and most accessible ways to immediately boost your happiness. In one scientific study, taking a walk in nature reduced depression in 71% of participants.

8. Go to bed early

Get off your phone. Go to bed. Even if you don’t sleep straight away, stay off the screen and read a book. Science has proven that our productivity and happiness is linked to how much quality sleep we get. So if you are feeling a little low, get thee to bed!

9. Help others

Lifting a hand to help another is a brilliant way to boost your own personal happiness. Volunteer your time to be of service to the world. There is no worthier cause

10. Create systems | Life Changing Tips

If you aren’t feeling productive you might need to reevaluate the way you are working. Systemise your home life- washing up, laundry, cooking, and do the same for your work life.

11. Create a community

No one can do everything alone. As much as we might like to think we can! Allow yourself to develop friendships and build a community that will be there for you in the good times and the bad.

12. Allow yourself to dream

When we are children we use our imagination all the time, but as adults, we tend to lose that sense of exploration. Take the time to focus on what your goals are. Visualize them, be specific and allow yourself to really savour what it feels like to have those things you dream of.

Maintaining your mood and finding ways to manage your emotional state is key to being productive. We won’t always feel good or find getting things done easy, but with these tips, you will find it much easier!

The post 12 Life Changing Tips for Happiness and Productivity appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

Emotional resilience is the measure of how we respond to and deal with things that happen to us in our day to day life. It’s our capacity to cope with challenges and hurdles that present themselves on this wonderful journey.

For example, a similar situation can occur at the same time to two sperate people, but ultimately it is their resilience that will dictate how they respond to it.

When faced with a tragedy or a challenge in your life, how do you handle it?

Do you get emotional, blame others, or even yourself? Or are you slightly more measured in your responses, and look at things pragmatically?

Put simply, emotionally resilient people are able to handle life’s challenges better.

The great part about coming to understand this is learning that you can grow your personal resilience muscles.

Yep, with time, patience and practice, you can actually build your emotional resilience and gain control over your responses to life’s challenges. But how?

4 Simple Steps That Will Help You To Build Emotional Resilience

1. Practice acceptance | Emotional Resilience

We fall into trouble when we try to control and affect the things in life that are not able to be controlled.

Instead of trying to control, we need to practice learning to accept certain things as part of life.

Understanding this and using self-awareness to identify what can and cannot be directly affected by you will greatly help you in measuring how to respond to a situation when it arises.

2. Predict change | Emotional Resilience

Not only do we need to learn to accept certain things are out of our control, but we also need to learn to anticipate change as a part of life.

Nothing in life is constant. We are constantly growing, changing, evolving and so is the world around us.

Just as nature has seasons, so do we. Learn to flow with life not against it. This will build up emotional resilience in you to be used when truly necessary.

3. Have hope | Emotional Resilience

Optimism is key to building your emotional resilience.

If we have a negative outlook on life, and kind of feel like it’s all for nothing then we probably aren’t going to have much positivity to hold onto when something goes differently to the way we want.

On the contrary, if we have an optimistic outlook we are more likely to accept challenges with “a grain of salt” and trust that life is always working in our favour.

4. Forgive yourself | Emotional Resilience

It’s not always easy to respond “well” when faced with difficulty in life. But in the end, if you are making efforts towards becoming more self-aware. Learning to grow and expanding your consciousness, you are doing GREAT.

Forgive yourself for any times you may not been as resilient as you would have liked, and remember – You are evolving. The more we learn from mistakes the stronger we become going forward.

Emotional resilience is a strength that will help you in many ways. Even if you haven’t got it right now, trust in your ability to improve as time goes on.

The post 4 Simple Steps That Will Help You To Build Emotional Resilience appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

The power of positivity can really be viewed as our very own super-power.

That can be used for a greater purpose at any moment.  Just as any good super-hero would do. (Right?)

It’s no secret that being around people with positive energy and attitudes are more pleasurable to be around.  (Likewise, being in the presence of people with negative energy and attitudes is generally NOT beneficial.)

So how can we use this idea to create and sculpt our ideal life?

It’s actually simple, though not necessarily always easy.

Power of Positivity: How to Use It to Create the Life You Want

Here’s the thing.  We attract into our lives what we put out there into the universe.

If we want positive experiences and results.. we can embody the power of positivity to make that happen.

A Humorous Example

Here’s a somewhat embarrassing albeit amusing, example of how this can play out..

One morning, I reached on top of our refrigerator to pull down a bag filled with coffee beans.  My daughter was eating breakfast within view.

To my surprise, the bag had not been previously sealed all the way.  So when I pulled it down, I was completely showered with coffee beans.

They spilled everywhere throughout the kitchen, as well as stuck in my glasses, in my ears, and in my hair.

I was mortified, as we were getting ready and I was trying to get my daughter off to school (on time.. that was the goal anyway).

So in that moment, I had two choices.  I could get completely stressed out and upset, which would have negative effects on my mood (and my daughter’s).

Or, I could laugh hysterically and embrace the humor of the situation.. which is exactly what I did.  It was hilarious.

That single choice in that very moment was an everyday example of embracing a positive attitude.

We still laugh about the time I had coffee beans in my ear, and my daughter went off to school with a smile and an amusing story to share with friends.

Naturally, we can use the power of positivity in greater ways and with deeper consequences.

A Simple Process

The two simplest and most impactful ways of using this “power” are:

1. Make positive choices when reacting to potentially negative situations or experience, and;
2. Envision positive outcomes in all areas of your life. This can help to improve not only your attitude and energy, but also your physical health, your emotional well-being, your success in work, and more.

Trust that positive results will come.

Believe a positive outcome to be true (even when it hasn’t happened yet).

By doing these two simple things, you are designing your future and affecting the outcomes.

Simply visualizing positive results in advance is beneficial.  Evoke as much emotion into your visualizations as possible (which activates different areas of the brain).

You don’t want to simply THINK about the outcome you want…you need to EXPERIENCE it on an emotional level to have the greatest impact.

Considering the WHY behind the outcome you want can help you really tap into the emotional energy you’re looking for.

Why do you want a new job?  Wanting a new job is just a thought. The WHY behind the thought is the emotional appeal you want when you’re visualizing positive outcomes.

Is it because with a higher salary, you could provide greater opportunities for your family? Or because your current job is too stressful and you’re seeking a more relaxed, enjoyable work experience?  Perhaps you want a job that is more rewarding and fulfilling?

So…with this overview of the process, how will YOU use the power of positivity (your very own super-power) to create the life you want?

The post Power of Positivity: How to Use It to Create the Life You Want appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

We have all heard of the “power” of positive thinking.

As much as it seems like an excellent thing to practice, unfortunately, it’s not all.. well, positive.

Its likely at some point someone has told you to “cheer up” or “smile more.”

Not only are comments like this incredibly condescending, it actually activates shame and can cause the recipient to feel guilt around their emotions.

When I was experiencing depression, I had a doctor tell me to “just think positive.” I remember looking at him and thinking to myself “how the hell do I do that?”

I felt like a failure.

It seemed so simple to him – why wasn’t I able to do it?

From that moment I decided I needed to figure it out.

I became a happiness junkie, devouring every self-help book I could find, I learned how to practice positive affirmations and I learned the mental mechanics behind positive psychology.

I figured, if other people could be happy I could be too. And the only thing in the way, was myself.

I was determined to fix myself.

I became hell-bent on being anything other than what I was.

But, this kind of self-rejection is incredibly unhealthy.

Denying the emotions that exist within us only fuels negativity.

Sure it may repress it for a while. But somewhere, somehow the root cause of those emotions will emerge.

Positive thinking your way away from “negative” or painful emotions does not heal them.

Embracing them does.

When we are having a hard time in life, or there is persistent negative thought, that is generally a message that something in our lives or within our psyche is not right.

These feelings are guidance from your soul to take a look at your life and make a change.

Unfortunately, our culture has become slightly obsessed with positive thinking, which means that we are rejecting our shadows, the parts of our self that need just as much love and attention as the other parts of ourselves.

It is in the shadows holding us back, that we find gems of self-realisation to propel us into growth.

So if you are experiencing negative thoughts or painful emotions, don’t try to shove them down or push them aside.

Learn to embrace them as a part of your uniqueness.

And by all means, strengthen your positivity muscles too.

Use affirmations, learn how to be happy.

But don’t do it from a place of needing to fix yourself.

You do not need fixing. You are enough.

I AM ME, I walk my own path..

The post The Down Side Of Positive Thinking: Is It Really All That Beneficial? appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.