Known for her defining role in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, which was recently voted The Best Film of the 21st Century, Laura Harring has also starred in films such as Love in the Time of Cholera with Javier Bardem and John Q with Denzel Washington. Committed to incorporating healthy living within her daily routine, Laura Harring believes in the power of a positive mindset.
Research has shown that positive thinking boosts the ability to manage stress, which can significantly benefit one's health. Positive thinking does not mean you should ignore the reality of a difficult situation. Rather, it involves staying attuned to life’s possibilities, incorporating mindfulness and a focused awareness of the present. And remembering that we are much stronger than we think we are.
One of the foundational aspects of positive thinking involves paying attention to self-talk or the unspoken thoughts that run in a continuous stream in the brain. These thoughts can be positive or negative, and redirecting their flow in a way that is productive, rather than harmful can begin the process of reshaping other aspects of one’s existence.
An example of positive self-talk involves being encouraging and accommodating in your thoughts, and not allowing self-judgments that you wouldn't say aloud to others. Remain encouraging to ourselves and others creates a habit of positive thinking which directly affects our sense of well being and ultimately happiness. Check up on these thoughts throughout the day and find a positive spin if they seem to be moving in a negative direction.
Another aspect of positive thinking involves surrounding yourself with people who are supportive and in tune with your personal goals and needs. Being around like-minded friends, family, and associates can encourage a positive mindset and facilitate progress that would not be possible if you were alone. Having awareness is the key to begin on a positive mindset journey and when habitual negative thinking returns, to re-direct the mind in a positive direction. Eventually a new habit takes over, one of gratitude and happiness.
Laura Harring learned the secret of the power of the mind while she was a social worker in India at 17 years old. Harring has applied positive thinking to every aspect of her life and has been quoted saying “gratitude is everything to happiness."
