You know how there are just some people who are naturally positive? Like they just came out of the womb that way? They are always smiling and optimistic to the point that it’s slightly aggravating because there’s NO WAY someone could be that happy? Yes, we all know these people. We think they are just born that way.

That’s actually not the case it is though. People aren’t just born positive. There are no Harry Potter wands waving and blessing some babies with positivity while others are passed by. This is not how it is. Positivity is a learned attribute and principle. It is something that is practiced with intention. 

So yes, maybe there are those people who have grown up their entire lives as an optimist and they don’t know anything different. There is nothing wrong with that. They learned this principle, developed it, cultivated it, and practiced it their entire lives. They grew up with positive parents and had a cheerful environment. This is why it is easy to say “It just comes naturally. They were born with it.”

Yet there are also so many more people who don’t grow up like that. They grow up in negative environments instead. Yet how do they develop a positive disposition? Well—they practice it. Especially in difficult circumstances, we all have to be more intentional about staying positive and cheerful consistently.

Living intentionally means that no matter how frustrated I am at my spouse, I am still going to tell them thank you every night before I go to bed. It means that even when I get negative feedback from someone, I smile and say thank you. It means that when others tell me I’m not good enough, I smile and prove them wrong. It means that if a traumatic event happens in my life, I get out and serve someone else. This is what it means to be intentional.

And when we are consciously intentional, we take control of our reality. Positivity is practiced. That means if you want to be more positive person, here are 10 things you can do to start this practice today.

• Write down 10 things you are grateful for everyday for a week
• Sing at the top of your lungs to your favorite song on your way to work
• Dance in the kitchen
• Tell someone at work thank you, just to say thank you
• Go mow your neighbor’s lawn or weed their flower bed
• Compliment a friend or family member on their new car or shoes
• Make someone feel important
• Spend $10 at a lemonade stand- support those young business owners!
• Walk 1 mile
• Tell someone you love them