Start YOUR day out with a positive thought! The first thing each and every one of us needs to do when we get up on the morning of March 1st, 2009, (after you’re awake and alert of course), is to say something positive to yourself to start the day out right. Do this as the first thing you do before you talk to anyone else in the morning. A possible suggestion might be: “I am grateful to be alive this morning. I choose now to live this day as the most positive day I have ever lived in my life. I will love myself and be true to myself and my values. I am grateful for my family and I will love them today totally and unconditionally. I will only speak and do positive things for them and to them today. I am also grateful for my friends. I will also love them, embrace them, and celebrate the fact that they are in my life. I will tell at least one of my friends today I love them and value the relationship I have with them. Today I will make every effort to be positive wherever I am and with whomever I am with.” (Make this your own-make it personal-use your own words and thoughts-I am just offering you suggestions to help you get started). Start with yourself first. Get yourself in a positive frame of mind so you can pass it on to others. If you need help with a positive thought or quote to get your mind and attitude focused on the positive check out MotivateUs; Quoteleaf; Positive Thoughts. These sites feature some positive quotes and thoughts to get your mind focused on the positive rather than the negative. Speak a positive word to someone first thing in the morning! Next, speak a positive word to your wife, husband, or significant other, or if a child, to your parent or parents. If possible do this next as they are the most important person or people in your life and you want to have them start their day off as the most positive day they have ever lived! Then, if you are a parent with a child or children, say something positive to them next as they start their day. (Resist the temptation to criticize them this day-such as about the clothes they wear or the color of their hair-attempt to say only something positive or positive things to them on this day). Post a positive message somewhere in your home for everyone to read! Place a card, plaque, or a picture or painting with an uplifting quote or thought somewhere in your home, in your school classroom, or at your office where everyone can see it and enjoy it. Talk about the quote and what it means. (For ideas and suggestions see my list of possible source companies and organizations to purchase cards, plaques, books or other items from that have a positive, inspirational or motivational message). Dad’s write a positive note to members of your family! Dads-a handwritten encouraging note to your son or sons or daughter or daughters, would be a huge inspiration to them and a most positive thing in their lives. From the many emails I receive from young people across our country, I think our young people need more love, positive reinforcement, physical affection, and time. Our children do not need a "fast food" approach to the time being spent with them and that being called or consdered spending "quality" time with them. No, young people today need lots of quality quantity time wth dad and mom, or dad or mom. Refer to my first suggestion in this handbook as well.Purchase a small positive oriented gift item for someone in your family! Before the Be Positive Day purchase a small item for your wife, husband, significant other, child or children, or for your entire family and give it to them. If a child, get something for your parent or parents. It could be a card, a book, a CD, a picture-something that would inspire them or encourage them-in other words something positive or even better, make your own item and give it to them. It does not have to be fancy or high tech, (if you made it yourself, it will mean much more to the person or people you give it to). Check out Simple Truths website for a positive and inspiring gift to give that special someone in your family. Dad’s or mom's cook dinner for your family and then eat with them! At the end of the day offer to cook a meal for your wife or significant other, or for your family if you have one. If appropriate, a little role reversal here with some positive words would be a real inspiration to them and give someone else a much needed break. And, then set down together as a family to enjoy the meal you cooked. Talk about the day and what happened in the lives of each member of your family. This would not be a time to judge or criticize, but rather to listen and learn about your family and what is going on in their lives. If the weather is nice, take a walk or ride bikes together as a family. Rent a positive or funny movie for the whole family to enjoy. This should be a movie with a positive message-one that encourages or inspires you. Get all the members of your family together, pop some pop corn, pour some glasses of soda, and sit down together and watch and enjoy the movie. After it is over, maybe talk about the movie and any lessons that might be learned from the movie. Ask each member of the family how the lessons taught in the movie might apply to them and how they could implement what they have learned in their lives. There are tons of locally owned Movie Stores to shop at in PA. There are also some of the chains such as Blockbuster Video & Borders. Start the day out positive at work or school! When you get to work or school, if a child or teen, speak a positive word to the first person you meet. Ideally, you will do this with everyone you meet all day, however, if you can start your new day positively where you go to work or school that would be awesome. I bet you are feeling the positive energy already aren’t you? Feels good doesn’t it? Also, I bet it is a bit hard as well…it feels sort of strange as it is not something we are used to doing. Well, keep going if you are on track to make this the most positive day you have ever lived. You will be amazed at the magic that happens as you do. If you have announcements as part of your early morning routine at school or work be sure to include a positive welcome or word in your announcements for the day. Try to keep the entire announcement positive-eliminate any negatives for just this one day if possible. Encourage a co-worker or fellow student! Offer encouragement to a student or co-worker who is going through a rough time or needs encouragement. Make them a card on your computer or purchase them a card or a book-and give it to them with a smile and a handshake or hug. (This might just be the one thing in the day, the week, month or year that makes a difference to them and keeps them going). Share lunch with a fellow student or co-worker. Is there someone you notice who always eats alone or seems to be alone and distant at lunch time? Ask them if you can join them or if they would like to join you and then ask them questions about themselves. Show an interest in them. Try to keep the conversation positive. Encourage them with positive words and a friendly smile.
 
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