We could all use some positivity in our lives but here’s the problem.
You see this everywhere today. Books, public speakers, signs, and businesses have become obsessive over the idea of spreading the word of positive thinking. In fact, there’s whole industry around positive thinking in self development.
I’ve read the books and listened to talks and while they inspired me to have a more positive outlook on life, they also left me questioning life even more. There are life coaches out there telling people that in order to live a happy life you must be thinking positive.
That’s bullshit.
Negativity is Part of Life
Without darkness, there is no light.
Without failure, there is no success.
Without Hawaii, well then the world wouldn’t be the same.
Without negative, there is no positive.
People go through their days lying to themselves to think positive about their financial, health, career, relationship, and personal problems. They deny they are having a shitty day or week.
Zig Ziglar once said about positive thinking:
If you are always on, then that means you are on something.
People have told me, without really following the site, that The Kū Project is all about positivity and being a stronger person.
Positivity? No.
Stronger? Hell ya.
Positive thinking doesn’t make you stronger, overcoming adversity and obstacles get you stronger. Those are the times that make you Kū.
How you get through those negative times and what you take from them will make you more positive and prepared for when tough times come back. Kidding yourself that thinking positively about that failed relationship or the bigger hole of debt you dig yourself into will make things better, doesn’t do yourself or anyone else any good.
The most positive and successful people are the ones who accept life for what it throws at you, learns from the shitty times, is aware of struggles and pain, and takes on challenges because they believe they will come out stronger.
I’ve written articles, posts, and even my book ‘Aloha to You’ talks about the power of thinking positive but I also share about those down times when I wanted to give up because you have to have those times. They are essential for life.
How many books are out there about positive thinking, happiness, or seminars/workshops that promote X steps towards a better life or happiness? There’s no cookie cutter way towards a better life that works for everyone.
This is the reason I’m a huge fan of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey:
It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.
Now people who promote positive thinking mean well, or I hope they do. The issue though is that positive thinking becomes a coping mechanism or crutch many use to ignore or deny rough times. Your spirit knows better and will rebel because it knows you are feeding yourself bullshit.
Thinking positive has it’s place in life. I’m not trying to make it sound like it’s a waste of time, nor am I saying that you need to focus on the negatives. That would really suck.
Here’s what I mean by this.
Don’t ignore or try to shrug off the negative things that come up in life and tell yourself that by thinking positively everything will go away. It’s okay to think, “Frick, this sucks,”, feel anger and sad sometimes. It’s what makes you human. It’s part of life.
You must accept what life throws at you, learn from it, and come out stronger.
What do You Think?
Some of you may strongly disagree with me, and that’s cool.
This is no attack on Life Coaches, promoters of positive thinking, or Self Development books. People have experienced life transforming results from such things which is awesome.
Just remember, to be you, and most importantly, BE KŪ.
