When we talk about positive attitudes, we are not talking about pretending to be happy or upbeat. We are referring to a mature positivity that derives from realizing our blessings even in the midst of the sadness, pain and loss inherent in a full and vital life. Developing positive attitudes and beliefs is an acquired skill and can be learned by even the most cynical and hostile among us.

Since many of the beliefs and attitudes we hold arise from the perceptions we carry about life and living, it becomes important to examine the perceptions we make and the conclusions we draw about our experiences. There is a humorous story about a high school teacher demonstrating the dangers of alcohol to his science class. He drops a garden worm into a glass of water and the class slowly watches the worm wiggle its way up the side of the glass and out to freedom. He then drops the same worm into a glass of alcohol. The worm sinks to the bottom and can not work its way up and out. Eventually, it gives up and dies. The teacher turns to the class and asks, "So class, what can we learn from this experiment?" A student raises his hand and says quite confidently, "I can see that if you drink alcohol, you'll never get worms!"

This whimsical story demonstrates the importance of closely examining the beliefs and conclusions we draw from our life experiences. Nearly all life events leave us with many options as to what to belief, and what we choose to believe dramatically affects our ability to overcome illness, endure the pain necessary for growth and healing, and achieve a sense of happiness and peace of mind that is so vital to a life well lived.

It takes tremendous courage to examine the beliefs and attitudes we hold, and it represents a true voyage of discovery. Honest self-examination exemplifies what Joseph Campbell calls "the hero's journey" and as such, it is an endeavor fraught with demons, dragons and obstacles demanding the most dauntless acts of courage and honesty.

Honest self-examination demands the ability to see ourselves, as we are, without apology and without pretense. Then, it demands the ability to see ourselves in all our glorious potential, without apology and without pretense. This is the hero's journey: to be able to see ourselves with new eyes, eyes that refuse to deny the truth of our frailties and humanness, and eyes that refuse to deny the innocence, strength, courage and love that lie within each one of us. Marcel Proust, the great writer, once said "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." Changing our attitudes and changing our beliefs gives us "new eyes" with which to see the world.

So let's begin the voyage of discovery into the healing power of attitudes and beliefs. This tape is designed to help each and every one of us examine and uncover the attitudes and beliefs we hold. Once discovered, we can begin eliminating negative attitudes and beliefs that contribute to our pain and helplessness and begin cultivating new and empowering attitudes and beliefs that give us hope. This is the process of having new eyes with which to see the world. The world has enough pain, loss and difficulty to keep all of us sad, bitter and hurt for a lifetime. The world also has enough hope, love and renewal to bring us blessings, joy and happiness even in the midst of life's inevitable sorrows.

May you be blessed on your journey.

In this inspiring talk, Dr. Neimark discusses the three basic premises for drawing upon the healing power of our attitudes and beliefs. They are: 1) we have the ability to choose our attitudes and beliefs 2) Positive attitudes and beliefs are empowering and they increase our capacity for health, happiness and peace of mind. 3) Our attitudes and beliefs represent forces of the human mind that are no less powerful than a physician's prescription pad. As such, we can direct our attitudes and beliefs towards achieving greater health and healing.

We at The Body/Soul Connection and R.E.P. Technologies are dedicated to helping you reach out for the best that medical science has to offer and to reach within to mobilized your own internal resources for healing.