We walk around school, we do our work and sometimes we complain. But is complaining really good for us? If we go through every day and we are sad and looking for the bad things that happen, then we are only focusing our energy on the bad. This type of behavior is no good. Instead, it is important to start looking on the bright side. You think the old saying, “When life gives you lemons, then make lemonade” is just said for entertainment. However, there is truth behind that saying and many others. Positive thinking is age-old common sense that has now become a new fad in the United States. It is the idea that thinking good thoughts can lead to a better life. While much of the writing out there may sound hokey, there are a few things that the positive thinking wave got right. Keeping a positive attitude can better your life. It has been known to reduce stress, increases self-esteem and can even increase productivity. And if positive thinking cannot better your whole life immediately, at least it can better your day. Here are a few pointers that can help to move things in a more “positive” direction:o Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to someone else.o Set short-term goals that you can remember and reach easily.o Try new activities and meet new people.o In class, ask questions and find interesting facts to focus on.o Don’t put yourself down or say, “I can’t.” Start to look for alternative sayings like, “I’ve never done that before, but I will try.”o Listen to uplifting music.o Surround yourself with positive people.The idea is to create an environment around yourself that is enlightening. That means not focusing on things that are bad, and instead, looking at the good things. There are theories about the “energy” of positive thinking, but the sheer truth is that by changing the way you think, you are changing yourself. If you chose to think positively, then you will chose to act positively. Changes in your thoughts can help to change the way you do things and the way that people perceive you. If you don’t have that confidence in yourself, then how can anyone else have it? By changing the way you think, you can change the way you act. By not looking at something that happened as bad, and by seeing the good that will come out of it, you begin to make the best of a situation. Days no longer consist of bad experiences piled up on one another, but they begin to be adventures that you learned from. And who doesn’t love a good adventure?