From Fear to Freedom... : The power of Positivity

I was recently asked why I am so positive, and where my happiness comes from. This got me thinking about the power of positivity. It is no coincidence that many of the world’s most successful people embraced a positive attitude – take for example Nelson Mandela, imprisoned for 27 years he still had the ability to remain positive. If presented with the same circumstance, it is almost certain that the rest of the world (including myself) would somehow lose positivity (and sanity), and adapt a victim mentality. Certainly, he had moments of weakness; however his overall demeanour was positive.

I truly believe that like attracts like, luckily for me, being a positive and easy going person I have been able to surround myself with like-minded people. I have a number of people in my life that I am blessed to consider as true friends. There are too many to list in details, but the VIP short list includes:

1. Lauren (more commonly known as “Legs”)

2. Camila

3. Ale

4. Mari

5. Cissa

Legs and I in 2005

My friendship with Legs dates back the longest, our mothers were best friends in high school, and our friendship was inevitable as we have known each other since birth. Camila was second to enter my life; we met when I was 17 and living abroad for the first time; she took me under her wing, and even opened her home to me and I ended up living with her for almost a year. The final three (Ale, Mari and Cissa) entered my life around the age of 21. I have created a sisterhood with each of these ladies and shared amazing experiences with each of them.

Camila and I in 2005

Even though I was morbidly obese for over 10 years, my weight never affected my ability to make real connections and have amazing friendships. Embracing life with a positive attitude the world is open and filled with limitless possibilities.

From a very young age I have had the ability to see the positive in every situation and overlook the negative – some call it naivety, but I like to think of myself as a true optimist! Growing up my mother encouraged excitement, she believed that you only lose your innocence once, and once it’s gone you can never get it back.

My Brazilian VIP trio - Ale, Cissa, Mari

I received an e-mail from my dear friend Cissa a few weeks ago which basically explained that everything in life is determined by focus. When you focus your attention on a specific situation it is almost certain that it will have positive results. Getting results without focus is like asking for a miracle. So, basically, all you need to do when you are determined to have results in a certain area of life is focus your attention, rather than complain. Focus produces energy, energy produces action and action produces results.

I would like to believe that by having a positive attitude and a little focus, dreams can be achieved!.... and happiness will certainly follow!