High School 5/7: Nurturing Positive Attitudes at Home and School

Nurturing Positive Attitudes at Home and School

In last week’s newsletter article I wrote about attitude and how people with a positive attitude take responsibility for themselves and for what happens around them.

As a practical activity, you could challenge yourself this week, to ask for some feedback from your partner or children about the attitude you display when you get home each day, or encourage your child to do the same. I’d suggest it might be a good exercise to check in with yourself and have a few attitude adjustment moments each day. Perhaps on the way to school, you could encouage with your children to be conscious of what they are thinking about and discuss how they are feeling regarding the day ahead. Do you and your child have a positive or negative attitude? Are you both feeling enthusiastic or bored? Consider what sort of attitude or thinking you could choose instead. Perhaps spend a few minutes listening to yourself and the quality of your thoughts. How is your attitude?

Amanda Gore, a Psychologist and expertise in physical therapy says “People who are positive in their outlook have better health, live longer, recover from disease more quickly, are more popular and suffer less stress”. When we think positive thoughts, our brains release special chemicals that make us feel happy and good. This can actually change your mood and make you feel better. So, choosing to think positively can help you feel happier! On the other hand, our negative feelings can affect others and make them feel down too. You’re essentially giving your child a ‘filter’—like a pair of glasses that can be rose-colored or dark. Everything your child sees through your eyes will be colored the way you see it, and that’s how they learn to view the world.

Even though some people might feel we have no control over what we are thinking, we do! The first step is to become aware of what we are thinking at any time. What are we saying to ourselves? For example, when we wish to change the text in a document we can delete and retype or just type over. Similarly with our minds, we can ‘type over’ the thoughts we would like to replace with positive language, God’s word. I encourage you to stop, read and meditate on God’s word.

Colossians 3:15 is a verse that will help with using positive language.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

A peaceful heart is a breeding ground for positivity. Allowing the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts encourages gratitude and helps us maintain a positive attitude, even when circumstances are trying.