Think about this: You have hundreds of big and small opinions about yourself. Perhaps a majority of these self-appraisals seem to appear from nowhere. That may seem like a frightening, hopeless predicament, but it isn't. A big part of effectively resisting self-appraisals that drag you down is steadily improving your positive self-talk. The result: You don't have to be who your negative thoughts tell you that you are any longer.

Can you think of one person, old, young, or in-between, who appears to be fairly consistently happy and upbeat? Ask to meet with them and explore their habits, routines, structure, mindset, boundaries, and values.

Criticism can be hurtful and damaging or it can help you become more successful and fulfilled. Erase ugly criticism, while learning to embrace constructive advice.

There is help and encouragement all around you. Learn to draw strength from parents, family, teachers, co-workers, and friends. But in the end, you need not be afraid or ashamed to rely heavily upon yourself. Here's a great promise: start by becoming the reliable person others will trust.

Try to think of two positive things you do, places in your community you go to, or positive-minded people you associate with. Imagine you doubled the number of times you spent with those uplifting influences. Imagine all the extra positive words, life contentment, fulfillment, fun, attitude, actions, and happiness! It is worth it to choose to act for positivity.

The world has an abundance of reasons for you to smile and say, "That's so cool!" Why not become a joy-sighting specialist? Find and write down at least one reason to smile every day. Once a week, read aloud what you have written. In less than three years, you will have consciously acknowledged 1,000 happy thoughts and memories. That's A LIFE-ALTERING POSITIVE IMPACT!

The next time someone smiles your way, let their smile lift your heart and mood. If you feel comfortable, you can greet them in return!

Even if you aren't comfortable smiling and laughing, it can be uplifting to see and understand others' smiles and laughter as a gift of joy!

Some people struggle to interpret facial expressions and common social behavior. Using genuine words to express your feelings can help you communicate better with everyone, especially someone who wants to connect with you but is nervous about their differences.

Some say sarcasm is simply their way of expressing themselves. But remember this: It's rare to walk away from hurt and/or abandonment completely. Yet, becoming a hard-hearted, bitter person is not the answer. Why? Because it is virtually impossible to find an overly sarcastic, insulting person who is satisfied and happy with life.

You could aim to be perfect, work to be perfect, or give life's responsibilities and goals your best shot no matter how far from perfect that leaves you! Decide in advance to be satisfied with the end result of your best effort!

Someone said, "You can either dread the rain or dance in it!" Yes, stormy times in life will come, and yes, storms will pass. An important thing to remember is this: Don't let the gray days dull the brightness of the sunny days just ahead.

On as many days as possible, consciously look for something that makes you smile sometime before early afternoon. Then, share that smile with a friend or an acquaintance.

Determine to brighten someone's day. Be a positive, uplifting light and your demeanor might radiate right back at you.

When your sad heart has trouble finding gladness, set aside some time to put your heartache away. Put it in a box or on a shelf in your mind, and look a little more intently for the good. Each day brings new goodness-a reason to smile, even for a moment.

Look each day for something that makes you say, "That's a good thing." Think about it during the day at least four times. You've set the stage for a good day.

The problem with having too much, like stuff, success, or savings, is the impossible challenge of it ever making you a truly happy and satisfied person. Today might be the perfect day to give away or trash what's cluttering up your life.

Starting right now, focus less on the heavy things that weigh you down. Instead of being engulfed by the darkness of "what-ifs," focus on what you can control, what's going right, and the amazing things you're capable of.

Say aloud two things that often make you smile. Now, think of something else-even something small-you could do or enjoy more often. Now, you have a "triangle of positives." Make that triangle a part of every day.

You have a good, a better, and a best life to live. The choice is yours. But remember, the best life likely may not be identified by fame or fortune or always having your way. It is an accumulation of little benefits. That is people, places, things, and small rewards of life like:

• Reading a good book
• An unexpected smile
• A thoughtful encouragement
• A text from a friend
• A good grade, or a better grade than you expected!!
• The opportunity to do a good deed
• The smile you shared with someone
• And hundreds more!

Push yourself out of the negative chains when feeling unusually low and vulnerable. Whether it's music, a hobby, texting with a trusted friend or mentor, positive media, physical activity, sports, etc., you can help pull your mind away from an unhealthy mood.

You have a certain amount of emotional energy at your disposal every day. If you don't break the habit of looking at many things with a largely negative outlook, you will steal from yourself truckloads of positive, uplifting, game-changing energy.

It only takes a few seconds to look for an event, a person, an experience, or something in nature to give you positive vibes and uplifting energy.

Billions of people may call the week a loss, a bust, or a complete failure, without giving small positives a chance to add up. Embrace the small plusses instead of being engulfed by "good reasons" to feel ashamed -many are nothing more than imagined.

Whether you are feeling upbeat or a little down, an unhurried walk can do wonders for you. Look around for something that can be uplifting. Allow each step to take you mentally and emotionally further away from what's weighing you down. Shift your mind out of overdrive. Some of your best ideas or solutions come from a relaxed mind.

No, you can't change what other people are experiencing, saying, or doing, but you can change how you see the actions of others. It helps to reframe your circumstances in light of what's really important in life. When you do that, you may discover things are not as bad as you thought.

Plan something fun and do it by the end of the week, even if it's simple or silly.

If your sad heart is having trouble finding joy, start simple and small. Every day brings new opportunities to find a reason to smile. It's okay to feel sad. Just remember to look for joy, too. Life can get complicated with so much pressure, endless thoughts, and constant comparison. Every now and again, pause. Take a deep breath. Calm yourself and focus on what's happening around you. Don't let the past or the future rob you of the joy of right now.

Don't feel guilty if accomplishing something feels so natural to you that it was a breeze to do it well. It's good to try things out of your comfort zone, but it can be exciting to succeed in an area in which you are truly gifted.

Think of this next week as a positivity treasure hunt. Collect moments of something said, done, given, or left unspoken for your positivity treasure chest. Fill that chest to overflowing and watch in wonder as your shared treasures make those around you better.

What seems to calm you down in the hecticness of life, even if just a little? A good book? Listening to music? Texting a friend? Hobbies? Sports? A jog? A few minutes in a quiet place? Even if all you have is 20 minutes, try to add that stress relief to your week ONE MORE TIME.

Find a quote you like and doodle it. Write the words. Draw around them. Reflect on each word. Find similar words that inspire you.

Even if you have to use a magnifying glass, be on the lookout for the wonderful things and people around you.

Starting right now, focus less on the heavy things that weigh you down. Instead of being engulfed by the darkness of "what-ifs," focus on what you can control, what's going right, and the amazing things you're capable of.

What has made you sad this week? Back away from it emotionally as far as your strength will allow you. Now, place it in life's big picture. Did it lose some power? Allow yourself to feel sad, and remember, it won't feel like this forever.

Just fell flat on your face trying to accomplish a task you should have been able to complete? Now, you may be feeling anxious about trying again. If you need to cry about it, it is ok to cry to help you overcome negative emotions. When you're done, laugh in the face of your mess-up. Decide to learn from your mistake and try again!

When your brain refuses to shut down at night, try to consciously set aside the negative or disappointing things and create a list of people, places, and things (even if they seem small and insignificant) that are positive and good. Now relax. You've built a platform for a good night's sleep.

Join the WRATS Club! Practice a "What's Right About This Scenario?" mindset. Focusing on what's right doesn't mean ignoring tough things or pretending they aren't happening. It simply means that you choose to see the good amid the hard.

Have you learned to accept the things that life brings your way without kicking and screaming? That starts with understanding that you don't have to like something to rise above it. Say NO to those everyday irritations and inconveniences threatening to ruin your week.

Would you like to shake off the attitude of dread and woe-is-me? Do just that. Stand up, shake your arms, your hands, even one leg at a time. Say to dread, "You're outta here! I'm shaking you off. Be gone!"

Are you afraid of trying something new that would enrich your life and put a smile on your face? Begin thinking about and researching what that might be. Now is a great time to shake that fear. Step out of your comfort zone and go for it!

It may seem unnatural, but a few times each week, bring yourself to a complete stop. Clear your mind as best you can. Think about three positive, happy thoughts. Let those thoughts remind you that everything will become okay even if everything isn't okay right now.

Construct a mental filter to catch self-loathing and put-down thoughts. Be alert. Draw from experience. Sense negative bombardment before it hits you. Get this: An often-used filter will do wonders for you by stopping the lies and put-downs while, at the same time, making room for reinforcing self-talk.

You heard it said, "Emotionally speaking, I'm all tied up in knots!" That's not a fun way to exist, is it? Sadly, that feeling happens to most of us. A plan: Start unraveling before you become unraveled! Calm your inner self enough to focus on "untying ONE of those emotional perplexities—especially if you can get to it before it is a torqued-out knot. Will just one help? Absolutely. And it will give you the confidence to unravel another one!

When you feel like your emotional life is swimming against a strong current daily, there is a "private club" you can join. The club is labeled the W. R. A. T. S. Club for this powerful reason: What's Right About This Scenario always beats being trapped in the D. O. W. N. Club - Distraught Over Worthless Negativity. Steer clear of that one.

Your attitude is the total accumulation of thoughts and impulses on how you view life. A negative or "who cares" attitude is guaranteed to bring you zero lasting fulfillment or happiness. What can you do? What should you do? Start debating with yourself! Begin mentally and emotionally crushing negative vibes and embracing the positives around you.