Workshop teaches power of positive thinking
Negative thoughts and stresses are common among college students, but by focusing on the present and transforming negative thoughts and situations into positive ones, students can be more confident and successful, said Kiersten Wilson, graduate in psychology and member of the Women’s Board on campus.
These tips and others were taught at the first of a series of three workshops on the power of positive thought sponsored by the USU Women’s Center. The workshop is taught by Wilson.
“The purpose of these workshops is to help (people) understand how to take a negative situation and transform it into a positive one, or to find the positive in it,” Wilson said.
The first workshop, held Tuesday in the Merrill-Cazier Library, focused on positive thought and affirmations. Wilson began by saying she believes there is opposition in all things and what a person does with all the negatives and positives is entirely up them.
“Regardless of how the negative or positive situation comes into our lives, we are responsible with what we do with it,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the first step to feeling control over the positive and negative situations in our lives is to live in the present.
“(You are) wasting time if you’re living in the past and you can’t affect the future,” Wilson said. “Keep your focus on where you can perform some actions.”
To be able to live in the present, Wilson said people must remove the underlying negative emotions of guilt and fear from their thinking. Wilson said just as positive and negative energy cannot exist together, neither can positive and negative thoughts coexist; one will override the other.
“When guilt is the overriding emotion (in one’s life), all thoughts and behaviors are influenced by it,” Wilson said. “Guilt prevents positive behaviors from taking place.”
Wilson said guilt and fear can be effective when they motivate a person to change or act. Wilson said she strongly recommends keeping a journal and writing down when the emotions of guilt or fear are felt. Recognizing these negative emotions is the first step to changing them.
“You must ask yourself what the (guilt or fear) is teaching you and what you need to change,” Wilson said. “Then you need to take responsibility and act now.”
Wilson also said the importance of positive statements and thoughts of affirmation. Although some may think repeating positive statements in their head or out loud are silly, Wilson said there is power in positive thinking.
“There is nothing worse than telling yourself that you are stupid,” Wilson said. “We can actually be weakened or strengthened physically when exposed to negativity and positivity.”
Wilson said when using positive affirmation, create a statement in the present tense that is completely positive. Visualize what is wanted, show confidence through body language and use the power of “I am” statements.
Ultimately, Wilson said the power of positive thought comes from recognizing one’s freedom of choice. She said people can choose how to react to the negative, regardless of what bad things happen or how they are treated.
“We really do have choice in our lives,” Wilson said. “People will only treat us as poorly as we allow ourselves to be treated.”
The second and third classes in The Power of Positive Thinking workshop will be held Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 from 12 to 1 p.m. in a location to be announced. Check www.usu.edu/womencenter/ for more information. All students, faculty and staff are invited. Free drinks and dessert are provided. Wilson said she strongly recommends those participating read “The Alchemist,” a novel by Paulo Coelho, but is not necessary to attend.
–karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu