Some days it can feel like a battle to remain positive, can’t it? Life throws us curve balls that create disruptions to our daily routine.

One of the books I’m reading right now is The Carpenter: A Story About the Greatest Success Strategies of All by Jon Gordon. It talks about the importance of learning to talk to ourselves rather than listen to ourselves. When we listen to ourselves we hear all of the negative thoughts, complaints, fears, worries, and doubts. But if we talk to ourselves we can feed ourselves with the words and encouragement to keep going, to keep moving forward. The author shared something he created called “The Positive Pledge” to keep close at hand for days when challenges come your way and you aren’t feeling very positive.  For me, reading, writing out, and even memorizing scriptures from the Bible has been an incredibly powerful way to stay positive through life’s storms. One thing I’ve learned about God’s word is that it never returns void. God is faithful and he is a promise keeper. His word changes our hearts and our perspectives.

What about you? Do you spend more time talking to yourself or listening to yourself? How do you remain positive in the midst of the challenges you encounter? Is there a step you can take today to begin talking to yourself more than listening to yourself?