When cultivated intentionally, positivity broadens your thinking, strengthens your resilience, and builds a life that not only survives challenges but thrives in spite of them.
[Title Photo by Pinkmean Creative]
The Garden
Somewhere in a quiet neighborhood, a woman tends a small garden behind her house. Every morning, she steps outside with a cup of coffee, surveys the rows, and begins her ritual: pulling weeds, loosening the soil, and checking for new growth. On some days, the plants appear dry and drooping. Other days, a single bud surprises her — a flash of color where there was only green yesterday.
If you ask her what she’s doing, she’ll smile and say, “Growing joy.”
Human flourishing works much the same way. We plant small seeds — a kind word, a grateful thought, a mindful breath — and, with steady care, they take root. We can’t force them to bloom, but we can create the conditions that make growth inevitable.
Barbara Fredrickson’s Broaden and Build theory of positive emotions shows why this daily tending matters. Positive emotions — such as joy, gratitude, interest, and love — don’t just brighten our days; they expand our capacity to think, connect, and create. Over time, these moments accumulate, fostering resilience, resourcefulness, and a deeper sense of well-being.
Flourishing isn’t a one-time event or a lucky break. It’s a garden we nurture — one thought, one choice, one small act of positivity at a time.
Choosing to Flourish
“Positive emotions aren’t just nice—they’re powerful fuel for the life you want to live.”
Positivity isn’t about ignoring challenges or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about cultivating a mindset that sees possibilities, embraces learning, and channels energy into growth. Excelerated Positivity™ is:
- Intentional: You deliberately notice, select, and nurture thoughts that serve you.
- Broadening: It opens your mind to possibilities rather than narrowing it to fear.
- Building: Positivity compounds over time, creating resilience, creativity, and stronger connections.
At its core, Excelerated Positivity™ is the practice of consciously directing your energy toward growth, not just surviving but thriving.
Why Positivity Matters
Barbara Fredrickson’s Broaden-and-Build theory provides a scientific lens for understanding why positivity is so effective. Her research shows that positive emotions broaden our attention and thinking, allowing us to see more options, solve problems creatively, and discover unexpected opportunities. Over time, these broadened perspectives develop into lasting personal resources, including better coping strategies, stronger relationships, and increased resilience.
Think of it this way: a positive mindset isn’t fluffy, it’s practical. Optimism doesn’t just make you feel good in the moment; it equips you to handle challenges more effectively and to build a life that feels rich and meaningful.
“Optimism is like compound interest for your life. Small positive actions today yield huge returns tomorrow.”
Negativity, by contrast, narrows attention and traps you in a cycle of fear, doubt, and missed opportunities. That’s why developing Excelerated Positivity™ is both a mindset shift and a life skill.
Slow Mind: Cultivating Thought Awareness
“You can’t control every thought that pops up, but you can choose which ones to entertain—and which ones to cultivate.”
Our minds are often faster than we can keep up with, racing from worry to doubt, predicting worst-case scenarios. Excelerated Positivity™ asks us to slow down and notice our thoughts. Awareness is the first step toward transformation.
Practical Steps:
- Pause & Observe: Notice negative self-talk or automatic judgments.
- Reframe: Shift from “I can’t” to “I’m learning how.”
- Affirm Growth: Celebrate small wins; they compound faster than you think.
- Curiosity Over Criticism: Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this moment?”
Think of your mind as a garden. You wouldn’t let weeds overrun your flowers. Identify the weeds of negativity, and intentionally nurture curiosity, gratitude, and hope.
Slow Body: Embodying Positivity
“Your body speaks first. Make sure it’s saying, ‘I’m open, I’m present, I’m ready.’”
Your body is not just a vessel; it’s a feedback system. Posture, breathing, and movement influence your emotional state. Research indicates that physical practices can help reinforce positive emotions and break the cycle of stress.
Excelerated Body Practices:
- Posture Check: Stand tall, shoulders back. Confidence and openness follow action.
- Breath Reset: Deep, slow breaths signal safety and calm to your nervous system.
- Move Joyfully: Stretch, walk, or dance. Even five minutes can shift your mindset.
Slowing your body doesn’t mean being stagnant. It means aligning physical presence with mental clarity, so positivity flows naturally rather than feeling forced.
Slow Relationships: Nurturing Connection
Positivity compounds fastest when shared. Relationships act as mirrors, reflecting and amplifying the energy you bring. Excelerated Positivity™ isn’t just self-focused; it’s relational.
Practical Steps:
- Small Gestures Matter: A smile, a thank-you note, a genuine compliment create ripples.
- Listen Fully: Being present and attentive nurtures trust and openness.
- Encourage Growth: Celebrate others’ wins. They’ll return the favor in your energy bank.
- Model Positivity: Your energy sets the tone for your environment.
“Happiness shared multiplies; worry shared multiplies too. Choose wisely what you share.”
Strong relationships amplify your positivity, making it easier to navigate challenges, take risks, and pursue growth.
Practices That Activate Excelerated Positivity™
“Positivity isn’t passive. It’s deliberate, repeated, and integrated into the rhythm of life.”
Here’s a practical toolkit to integrate positivity into daily life:
- Morning Gratitude: Begin each day by noting three things you appreciate.
- Micro-Mindfulness Breaks: Pause throughout the day to check your mental state.
- Positive Framing: When challenges arise, ask, “What opportunity exists here?”
- Physical Alignment: Stand, stretch, and breathe intentionally.
- Connection Rituals: Make at least one intentional gesture toward someone else each day.
- Reflective Journaling: Capture wins, lessons, and growth opportunities.
Measuring Your Growth
Positivity is a practice, not perfection. Progress is visible when you notice:
- Increased energy and engagement in tasks.
- Greater resilience when facing setbacks.
- Improved relationships and more frequent collaborative experiences.
- Heightened creativity and openness to new ideas.
Track your growth weekly. Journaling, self-reflection, or even simple checklists help solidify positive habits.
The Excelerated Path to Positivity
Excelerated Positivity™ is a compounding practice that integrates mind, body, and relationships. It begins with awareness, moves through deliberate physical and relational actions, and grows over time through consistent attention.
“Water the thoughts, movements, and connections that serve your growth. Notice the weeds, but don’t obsess over them. Over time, your life will bloom.”
Positivity is neither fake nor fragile. When cultivated intentionally, it broadens your thinking, strengthens your resilience, and builds a life that not only survives challenges but thrives in spite of them. Like Emma’s garden, your life reflects the energy you invest. Choose what you water wisely, and watch your garden flourish. That’s how you embrace your Excelerated Life™!
Read over the practices in the “positivity toolkit”.
Which one appeals to you most strongly right now?
What is one step you could take today to put that into practice?
Share your ideas by leaving a post below.
Excelerated Positivity™ — building the skills that help you flourish — is one practice for creating your Excelerated Life™, a life of flourishing and well-being, and a life of meaning, purpose, and service.
Read more about the Excelerated Life™.
Resources:
Fredrickson, Ph.D., Barbara, L. Positivity. New York: Crown Publishing Group, 2009.
This blog post includes research information provided by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The content was generated with AI assistance and is intended to provide information and guidance. Please note that the suggestions are not official statements from OpenAI. To learn more about ChatGPT and its capabilities, you can visit the OpenAI website.