I recently read a book about the power of positive thinking. The book professes that according to the Law of Attraction, if you think positively, then positive things will be attracted to you. Conversely, if you think that you will live a life in debt, be in a loveless marriage, and have a dead-end job, than the Law of Attraction will fulfill those prophecies. In graduate school, they called it “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” meaning that your thoughts lead to behaviors which lead to thoughts and on and on and on. If you changed the pattern of your thoughts, then you changed your behavior resulting in a more functional, fulfilling life.

Because I so rarely read a book, I have begun applying these principals and have been pleasantly surprised by the outcomes. For example…

I was meeting some girlfriends in California. I hate to fly – I mean really hate to fly. I’m not as worried about the terrorists (although I have my guard up every time I board a plane), I am more worried about mechanical difficulties. I try to find comfort in statistics and remind myself that it is more dangerous to drive to the airport than to fly to California. However, something about being in the air, thousands of feet above sea level , that really freaks me out.

I am always baffled by those who can sleep on the plane. I have to stay awake in order for me to use whatever will I have to keep the plane in the air. I marvel how others can dose while the plane is bouncing up and down in something that feels more like an astroid shower rather than "mild" turbulance.

My flight to California was leaving at 10:00 AM – way to early to justify a cocktail. Instead I resorted to thinking positively about the flight and the journey to California. I always feel sorry for the person sitting next to me – especially if we hit turbulence. So, to manage expectations, I say to my row-mate -

“I really hate to fly. I am a nervous flyer.”

He responds, “Don’t worry – I am a safety engineer with American Airlines. I have analyzed the safety of this aircraft and you can feel confident you will get to California without incident."

I should have known. He was wearing a pocket protector with three Bic Pens. No, I am not making this up. But it gets better...

Across the aisle, another man says,
“I am an aerospace engineer. I helped design these aircrafts. You are perfectly safe!"

Not wanting to be outdone, the woman sitting behind me pokes her head above my seat and says,

“I am a flight attendant. I know exactly what to do in case of emergency.”

To top it off, a man two rows back leans forward and states,

“I am a priest! You are completely covered!’

That’s it! I was convinced! It really works! I woke up when we landed and had to wipe the drool from chin. I was groggy, but very happy.

I am going to continue to experiement with this whole positive thinking stuff - especailly when I buy my next lottery ticket.

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