Positive expectations bring good things into my life. They are like a giant magnet that attracts a positive future. They help me live longer and better. Medical research has shown that optimists with positive expectations live longer than pessimists. They have less illness, and when they get sick, they recover faster.
Positive expectations are a self-fulfilling prophecy. When I have positive expectations, I anticipate that good things will happen. I start to think positive thoughts and take positive actions that lead to a positive life.
Negative expectations are also a self-fulfilling prophecy. They are the script for a negative future. When I have negative expectations, I anticipate that bad things will happen. I start thinking negative thoughts and taking negative actions that result in a negative life.
I don't get what I want in life; I get what I expect. Jesus said, "Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened." I am to ask expectantly, seek expectantly, and knock expectantly. When Jesus healed people he said, "As you have believed, so it shall be done unto you." Jesus came to change our expectations. He taught that positive expectations are the foundation for a positive life.
LIVING WITH POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS
You can tell when people have positive expectations. They live as if their dreams are possible and work each day to make them happen.
Until recently, I never understood what it meant to have positive expectations. For much of my life, I regarded positive expectations as a form of internal hype where I psyched myself up into believing that my dreams were possible. Using this approach, I got on A for effort, and it did work to a certain degree. Nevertheless, I have to confess that much of the time, my positive expectations had a hollow sound as they echoed in the corridors of my mind.
Eventually, I figured out that positive expectations are much more than a belief that my dreams are possible. Positive expectations are a way of life.
Maybe it sounds like I am splitting hairs over the meaning of positive expectations, but I don't think so. Here's why. Here's what positive expectations mean to me.
When I have positive expectations, I live as if my dreams are possible and work each day to make them happen. I am totally engaged in making my dreams come true.
I spent thousands of hours working on Exit Only as we sailed around the world because I had positive expectations. I believed that if I kept her in good condition, we would have a safe and enjoyable trip.
I spent hundreds of hours getting my Extra Class ham radio license because I had positive expectations. I believed that if I had my amateur radio license, I would be able to maintain communications with family and friends while I sailed offshore.
I purchased a satellite telephone because I had positive expectations. I believed that in an emergency at sea, I could substantially push the odds of survival in my favor by having satellite communications ready for action.
I spent hundreds of hours practicing celestial navigation while living ashore in the Middle East because I had positive expectations. I believed that if I learned how to navigate in the desert, then navigation on the ocean would be a breeze.
I spent ten years writing five books on positive thinking and positive spirituality because I had positive expectations. I believed that my books would make a difference in people's lives.
I created more than sixty podcasts and put them on my websites because I had positive expectations. I believed that what I had to say would help other people live their dreams.
I created a positive web ring with 32 domains because I had positive expectations. I believed that I could create a series of websites that would help people push their minds in a positive direction.
I outfitted two Land Rover Defenders for expeditionary travel , and I have them in storage in Australia and New Zealand because I have positive expectations. I believe that someday I'm going to drive them in a convoy around the world.
I have Exit Only hauled out of the water and stored on dry land because I have positive expectations. I believe that before long, I will sail once again on the ocean of my dreams.
I am working as a flying doctor because I have positive expectations. I know that my growing stash of freedom chips will finance my next adventure.
This list has grown very long, but I made it long on purpose. I wanted to show you that when you have positive expectations, you live as if your dreams are possible and work each day to make them happen.
Positive expectations aren't daydreaming or wishful thinking. They are all the things you do each day to make your dreams come true. They are a way of life.
People who have positive expectations are Unstoppable, Consistently Positive, Endlessly Persistent, Doers of Dreams.