Today I want to talk about the difference between focusing on the positive on the one hand, and being positive all the time. 

When we focus on the positive, we recognize the negative as well. For example, if someone asks you, “How are you doing”?, you might say, “I'm going through a tough time, but I'm focused, determined and making great progress.” So people will know you're going through a tough time, but you're still positive and you're moving forward. This opens the relationship, it opens the opportunity for caring from the other person. They know you're making good progress, but you're still going through a tough time. 

If your response was simply, “I'm making great progress”, or, “I'm fine”, that door of opportunity is closed. If you are stating just the positive, you're not opening the door for the other person to come in and help.

We all want to be in relationships where we can help each other. Sometimes the shoe is on the other foot, and now I help you. Tomorrow it's reversed and you're helping me. That's a relationship.

If I'm constantly just being positive, I can literally be pushing people away with my positivity. Or I’ll end up just constantly having to help other people and never opening the door for them to help me. I'm actually denying myself that relationship. It should be a two-way street, otherwise I'm denying the other person the opportunity to also be of service and to make a great contribution. 

So there you go, that's my interpretation of the phrase, 'Focus on the Positive'. You still have the negative, you recognize it, but your focus is on the positive and on going forward.  

See you next week.

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