For many people in our country who are struggling today, there is hope that lies within the thought that if they just begin thinking in a positive way, their lives will be destined to find the success they so badly want. But, this may not actually be the case. As a matter of fact, we may be wired as human beings to do the opposite to see the changes we want. There may be a path to success that actually has to lead us deeper into the pain of life before the concept of positive thinking can do it's work. As it states in the religion/philosophy of Taoism, the opposites of life are needed for light to shine in the midst of the darkness. So unknown to many, there are perils to those who try to fight anxiety, depression, and the feeling of lack with the weapon of positive thinking alone.



Recently, a client sat across from me perplexed as to why he was still in a state of anxiety regarding his finances, career and more when he had been reading, listening to and reciting line after line of positive affirmations for the past 30 days. When he saw no results, he decided to work with a life coach.

The power of positive thinking and affirmations all have their place in life. But so does deeply feeling the anguish of doubt, fear, loneliness. Mother Teresa wrote about her anguish, and doubt in God at times. President Lincoln is well known for his "dark nights of the soul." Former columnist Art Buchwald found relief from clinical depression only after admitting he needed to look into, not away from, his internal pain!

You and I are the same. Do not "mask" your pain with positive thoughts, religion, or affirmations. Instead write about your anguish, feel it deeply for several minutes a day for a week, then follow those deep periods of pain with coaching, counseling, services, meetings and positive affirmations. Slow down, feel all of the deep feelings that God gave you, the ones you might want to run from. They are there for a reason, not just to be shoved under a rug. If we try to cover them, we face the perils of positive thinking. Submerged, these feelings just become worse. Not better. Ask Art or Mother Teresa in your meditations, or anyone else such as myself, who has experienced deep clinical depression, to find that the only way out is to stop running, and go deeper inside. Relief, then, will come.

On the other hand, positive thinking can work for all of us and help us to achieve greater success in life, if we know how to use it correctly. Best selling authors like Norman Vincent Peale, Napolean Hill and Wayne Dyer all can attest to the power of positive thinking, and so can their millions of readers who have seen dramatic life changes due to their focus on all that is going right in their lives on a daily basis. Once you learn how to deal with the emotions you're trying to escape, and actually feel the pain, insecurity, or fear in your life, you can then use positive affirmations, books and CD's to greatly enhance your energy and drive.

Positive thinking, then, can actually work in your favor. The power of positive thinking can enhance your discipline, assist you in finishing a delayed project, propel you to take new risks, and open your mind to the untapped power that lies within each of us. Slow down, feel your challenges, then go to work and surround yourself with the power of positive thinking. Read books, connect with positive groups through church, community or networking organizations.

Learn how to love yourself more deeply, and watch your world change.