Many thanks to Rabbi Abe Hardoon for introducing me to this idea.

Is there a positive in thinking negative?
The answer, of course, is no.

We tend to focus on negative thoughts/feelings (internal or external dialogue), such as:

  • I wish I could lose weight….
  • I wish I could stop smoking…
  • I wish I wasn’t so poor…

In case after case, when one thinks about the negative:

  • the weight we lose comes back 
  • we eventually continue with our addictions, and 
  • our financial situation doesn’t change etc.

This is why it is important to “flip the coin over”:

  • Weight control…”- I want to feel healthier with a more balanced lifestyle.”
  • Quitting smoking…”- I want to be in control over my life.”
  • More wealth…” – I want a better lifestyle and I want to feel more secure.”

Which begs the question, why is it that the positive thoughts/feelings work better than focusing on negative thoughts/feelings?

There is an important neurological science behind this idea.

When positive thoughts/feelings are generated, when we’re feeling/thinking happy, or optimistically, cortisol decreases, and the brain produces serotonin, creating an overall sensation of well-being. And the serotonin production heightens prefrontal activity in the brain, resulting in enhanced mental functions such as creative thinking, cognitive flexibility, and even faster processing.

Daniel Goleman, author of Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence, states: “The prefrontal cortex is the place where all mind/brain functions conjugate and then are disbursed to various parts of the brain or transmitted to other parts of the body. So when positive feelings/thoughts occur, there is brain growth through the reinforcement and generation of new synapses”.

He continues: “With negative feelings/thoughts, the brain actually draws precious metabolic energy away from the prefrontal cortex. With these negative thoughts/feelings, the brain can’t perform at high or even normal capacity. When stressed or scared, it’s difficult to take in and process new material, yet alone think creatively.

It has also been shown that negative thoughts also reduce activity in the cerebellum, which controls coordination, balance, working relationships with others, as well as speed of thought.


The frontal lobe, particularly the prefrontal cortex, decides the amount of attention to pay to something based on its importance and how you feel about it. The more you focus on negativity, the more synapses and neurons your brain will create – supporting your negative thought process. Negative
thoughts slow down the brain’s ability to function and it
actually impedes cognition.”


Very interesting and fascinating information.
And in the words of the wise Monty Python:

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.