It’s Positive Thinking Day—a day to focus on the positive things in life. To celebrate, today’s post has some positive thinking quotes from some of the wisest people the world has ever known.

The world needs more positivity

So far, the 2020s have definitely taken a toll on our world. For even the most positive people, it’s getting harder to ignore the pessimism, negativity and hatred that surrounds us.

Last year on Positive Thinking Day, I shared 6 things I do to stay positive. This year, I’m turning things over to some of the world’s wisest people with a roundup of positive thinking quotes.

Positive thinking quotes from some very wise people

I found these positive thinking quotes to be thought-provoking and inspirational, and I hope you will too.

On the power of positive thinking

It’s no secret that the mind is a powerful thing. If we let it, negative thinking can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Here’s what Mahatma Gandhi and Buddha have to say about the power of positive thinking.

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviour. Keep your behaviour positive because your behaviour becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

Mahatma Gandhi

The mind is everything. What you think you become.

Buddha

On keeping a positive outlook

In most situations, you can train your brain to choose the positive over the negative. Once you make a habit of looking for the positive, you’ll find it in unexpected places. While it might seem difficult, set a goal for today to find a positive in everything that happens.

A lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can’t do. I always look at the positive side of what I can do.

Chuck Norris

Be generous with your compliments and stingy with your complaints. Withhold the negative; express the positive.

Joel Osteen

Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.

The Dalai Lama

Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart.

Roy T. Bennett

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When it’s hard to be positive

Many people insist on putting a positive spin on every situation. But, is refusing to acknowledge anything negative healthy, or even realistic? Let’s be honest—sometimes life is tough and it’s hard to stay positive.

If we don’t allow ourselves to express negative emotions, toxic positivity can creep in. (For more on toxic positivity, check out this excellent post from Vanessa, The Wellbeing Blogger.)

So, go ahead and acknowledge your negative emotions. Just remember that it is possible to reap a positive outcome from situations that appear hopeless.

Optimism doesn’t mean that you are blind to the reality of the situation. It means that you remain motivated to seek a solution to whatever problems arise.

The Dalai Lama

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.

Walt Disney

You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

A.A. Milne (Winnie The Pooh)

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.

Dolly Parton

Be strong because things will get better. It may be stormy now but it never rains forever.

Evan Carmichael

Let’s choose to celebrate Positive Thinking Day by turning negatives into positives. Just for today, when negative thoughts creep in, tell them to go away and look for something good in the situation. As the Dalai Lama so wisely expressed, optimism just feels better.

Which of these quotes was your favourite? Do you have other quotes on positive thinking to share? Tell me your ideas below.