The History of Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is a uniquely American phenomenon. In Europe, when America was new, society was made up of classes and you were not allowed to move up beyond your station in life. The philosophers of Europe, however, did write about moving up in class and fulfilling your full potential. Among them was Charles Montesquieu.

In America, however, there was a spirit of individuality or the idealization of the individual outside of class. This idea gave birth to a whole new era -- rising above your class. This became the "American Dream," and was promoted by what was called the "Horatio Alger Story."

In the beginning, positive thinking was introduced into society by traveling mesmerists (hypnotists). The belief was that once you were hypnotized you could be fed affirmations that would take hold and improve your life.

To promote positive thinking, people also began to write self-help books offering advice. The first book was Poor Richard's Almanac by Benjamin Franklin. In his book Mr. Franklin wrote, "God helps them who help themselves."

Other books followed which were mostly about how to become rich and successful through positive thinking.

At the same, time people began writing self-help books about how to overcome issues with their health. Mary Baker Eddy, who founded Christian Science, was one of them.

It was not until the 1940's that self-help books were published about psychology -- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie was one of them. Another was The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.

In the 1980's self-help books began flooding the markets and were seen as the most important way to overcome the things that are standing in the way of success. The media would soon catch up, but it was books that laid the groundwork.

The most popular self-help books of this time were about how to get free from addiction.

Central to the idea of positive thinking is the belief that how we think is how we feel and that affirmations can make our dreams become a reality. This idea comes up every twenty years or so with the publication of a new book: The Course of Miracles in the 1980's and more recently The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.

Another popular book of this era was about how to find happiness and success by emphasizing love in your life. See, A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

Today positive thinking is considered an important tool is finding lasting happiness in life and I highly recommend it.