Long before bookstores were filled with titles on the law of attraction, celebrated optimist Oscar Hammerstein II penned the lyrics for South Pacific, and advised us all to “keep talkin’ happy talk” if we wanted positive things to be fulfilled in our lives.

Not everything always works out in a Rogers and Hammerstein musical. Life can be tough, even when sung on stage. But one message always remains; holding on to core values like courage, optimism, honesty, and truth is essential for your spirit and your dreams, no matter how circumstances unfold.

Popular advice about moving toward our dreams usually mentions our human tendency to attract what we don’t want, because we focus so much on our problems and irritations. We all keep a running commentary as the moments tick by, silently or sometimes out loud. Have you listened to yours lately? How does it rate on the “happy talk” scale?

If you need to, just change the words.

Sometimes the words we use to express our irritation far outweigh the circumstances. Think how often people say, “Gosh, I hate it when drivers cut me off like that! I hate it when parents let their kids scream in the store.” Or similar complaints.

It’s like a knee jerk reaction. Our ego will happily have little tantrums if we let it. But the good news is we really are in charge. We have the power not to be annoyed, or inconvenienced, and instead to be calm and focus our thoughts beyond our circumstances.

In an interview for the book This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women, Hammerstein said he felt a person could only be happy by accepting how imperfect we all are. So, there is no reason for non-happy talk about those around us. They are only being human, just like us.

Relish little blessings.

When we focus our attention to little everyday blessings, and things that make us smile, there is less room in our thoughts for irritation and complaining. When we realize what an abundance of blessings we already have, it becomes easier for us to welcome the idea of greater abundance into our lives.

Shut off the negativity, and sing the song. Okay, it doesn’t have to be the “Happy Talk” song. Any song will do that lifts you up and gets you refocused on the good you want to see grow in your life. But, I admit, I sing it, and I have sung it more times than I can count, even if it’s just the refrain. Happy, sad, up, down, it’s always good to be thankful for our dreams. Because without them, we’ll never “have a dream come true.”

Has how you talk made a change in how you see your life? Tell us your experiences, or a favorite happy song, in the comments below. We enjoy hearing from you.

Find the score of South Pacific at your favorite music source.

Read the Oscar Hammerstein II interview at: http://thisibelieve.org/essay/16609/.

For more tips and great information on how to deal with stress, check out ClearYourStress.com. You\’ll also find many guided exercises and meditation methods to relieve stress, connect with your inner wisdom, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Visit ClearYourStress.com now to get started.

For more tips and great information on how to deal with stress, check out http://ClearYourStress.com. You\’ll also find many guided exercises and meditation methods to relieve anxiety, connect with your inner wisdom, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Visit http://ClearYourStress.com now to get started:

Author Bio: For more tips and great information on how to deal with stress, check out ClearYourStress.com. You\’ll also find many guided exercises and meditation methods to relieve stress, connect with your inner wisdom, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Visit ClearYourStress.com now to get started.

Category: Self Help
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