The Power of Positive Thinking

I believe in the power of positive thinking.  What you think becomes your reality, so why not make it positive?  If you think you are having the shittiest day of your life, then your day has now become the shittiest its ever been.  Don't get me wrong.  Life gets in the way of your thoughts and shit happens.  You don't have control over that, just control over how you think about all the shit.  Also, I believe if you think about something enough, then you attract it to yourself.  In my life, I try to keep track of the unique examples of when this philosophy comes true.  Like today.

For anyone who doesn't know, I live in Manchuria which is a place with winters greatly influenced by Siberia.  It is -6 degrees Fahrenheit (-21 degrees Celsius) right now.  Weather-appropriate clothing is essential for survival.  Bad things could happen if one was not dressed appropriately, but let's not think about that.

A thick winter coat is the essential part of this weather-appropriateness.  Most people here wear down coats, the ones stuffed full of flightless bird feathers.  I could guess PETA's stance on down coats.  But before you start throwing red paint, I encourage all you extreme animal right activists to come live in Siberia.  For the first time in my life, I am able to understand why a person would want to wear an animal's fur coat.  I won't say that I have switched over to the right side or anything.  I'm just saying I now see a fur coat's utility in these harsh winter conditions of Harbin.

I've spent some time thinking about purchasing a down coat for the winter.  I brought my old winter coat from America that is mostly made of what I think is mostly polyester and certainly made in China.  It is warm if I wear one tank-top under one waffle thermal, under a jacket, under a fleece jacket, under my polyester coat.  The Chinese have expressed their concern, but two winter coats seems excessive to me (and I am already emotionally attached to my polyester).

I began thinking that I will accept a coat if one comes to me, but that I am not actually going to go out and buy one.  A few weeks later, a woman at my work showed up with a long pink down coat to give to me.  She told me it had a few stains and that she thought I could use it.  I accepted it and told her I would wear it.  When I got home, I realized that I actually cannot wear this pink color in public.  So, I continued thinking about how a different-colored down coat would help me stay warm.

Then today happened.  I was talking with this girl named Rainbow, and I found myself staring at her maroon down coat.  I kept thinking, "Wow.  That's a good color for a down coat.  Maroon goes with black and blue and brown.  It's just such a nice down coat.  Maybe I should just break down and buy a maroon down coat."  Hours later, I was at home listening for the knock on the door that would tell me my roommate is home.  I opened the front door for her and she handed me this bag.  In this bag was a brand new maroon down coat.  Yes.  True story.  I'm assuming it's a belated Christmas gift, but I'll never actually know for sure why she gave me this gift.

I dare you to try.  Track your thinking and notice those small things you attract into your life.  If you get really good at it, it can happen almost daily.  Let me know if anything comes up.