Everyday we are tested. Someone cuts us off in traffic. Someone says things that we don’t want to hear. Someone doesn’t follow through on a commitment.

And, what is the natural response? We get mad, we get our feelings hurt, we are disappointed. In short, we think negative thoughts and have negative emotions. And, then we wonder why we don’t feel good, or why we’re so tired, or why the people around us seem cranky.

What you think about expands, and if you think negative thoughts which lead to negative emotions, you will only attract more of what you don’t want into your life. Every thought, every emotion, has energy, and obviously negative emotions have very low energy – thus weakening our immune system, making us tired, and fostering irritability.

So, what do you do about it?

You get into the habit of recognizing when you and others are thinking negative thoughts, and immediately tell yourself, “I’m being tested.” And then ask yourself, “What’s the opportunity in this?”

With yourself, your opportunity is to practice recognizing negative thoughts and raising your own energy levels.

With others, your opportunity is twofold:

1. It is a chance for you to “practice” being more positive by verbalizing an alternative way to think to someone else, thus enhancing your own energy level; and
2. It gives you a chance to help raise someone else’s energy.

So, the next time you are “tested,” recognize it and ask yourself, “What is the opportunity in this?” And see how many “tests” you can pass in one day.