It’s Good to Be Alive: Focusing on the Positive Rather Than the Negative

By Jay Thomas Willis

This book is a collection of some of the author’s best published and unpublished sayings, short stories, and poems. Some of the previously published material in this book have been revised and reedited. All these sayings, short stories, and poems relate to the idea that it is good to be alive and focusing on the positive rather than the negative. The author emphasizes that no matter how bad your background you can improve your situation by focusing on the positive rather than the negative. Your situation may be negative in most respects, but you can learn to develop your conscious level with positive thinking while enriching your attitude and your altitude. All of this depends on feeling good about your life and your potential.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669855057

Jay Thomas Willis

Jay Thomas Willis graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.S. degree in sociology. He also graduated from Texas Southern University with a M.Ed. in counseling, in addition to receiving a MSW in social work from the University of Houston. Willis has held numerous social work positions.

Book preview

I

Favorite Sayings

I have written sayings about my experiences that demonstrate what it means to be good to be alive, while focusing on the positive rather than the negative. I have collected these sayings mostly from other books I have written.

Alive and Positive

"You didn’t come this far only to give up

when you are so close to your objective."

"Take a deep breath and feel how

wonderful it is to be alive."

You are one of a kind; you are a masterpiece.

You are the only one who can do what you do.

"Don’t focus on the half dozen

rather than the six."

As long as you are moving, slow is still motion.

"You may not be doing as well as some,

but you are still doing your best."

"A bird in the hand is always better

than two in the bush."

"So, what if you didn’t get everything you

wanted; you got enough to make do."

"You may not be the best, but

you’re all you’ve got."

"If you didn’t win this round,

maybe it wasn’t your turn."

"If you keep thinking positive you

are bound to come out ahead."

"My car, my house, my clothes may not be better

than yours; but at least I am alive and kicking."

"If you want to improve your life, try

enriching someone else’s life."

"Always think positive: try justice, righteousness,

truth, balance, and reciprocity."

"Truth, justice, righteousness, reciprocity,

order, and balance will prevail,

regardless of the circumstances."

"Today is another day; you have

another wonderful opportunity to

do something worthwhile."

"Be positive wherever you go so that people

will have a good impression of you."

"If we work hard, strong, and long,

our communities will get better."

"If you don’t know any better

you can’t do any better."

"Be someone’s right hand and help

him or her along the way."

"If you dream about something hard and long

enough; believe in it strongly enough; work at

it diligently enough; it’ll come true for you."

"There’s no such thing as failure, you simply

re-evaluate your mistakes, and move on."

"Do the best you can under any

given set of circumstances."

"Things are never as good or as

bad as we think they are."

"Rejoice in other people’s good fortune;

don’t rejoice in their misfortune."

"Don’t waste time with negativity,

refuse to succumb to it, negativity

will overcome you if you let it."

"You must first see yourself in a positive

light, and then seek to improve your

position and your condition."

You are never going to have it all together.

"Keep walking tall, hold your head high,

and keep your eyes toward the sky."

"Stay focused, stay alert, and

keep being diligent."

"Don’t be in denial about the

negatives in your life."

"If your desires are balanced it will lead

to proper thought and action."

Get rid of the negative energy around you.

It’s good to be thought of in a positive way.

"Hold on to who you are; don’t

give in to negativity."

"Always keep your ears toward the

ground, your eyes toward the sky, and

you mind on positive thoughts."

"If you keep attracting negative

people, re-evaluate yourself."

"At all times demonstrate strength,

dignity, courage, and wisdom."

Don’t add fuel to the flames of negativity.

"Have a positive attitude, even when

you hate yourself for doing so."

"Practice love, kindness, forgiveness,

and mercy with everyone."

"Don’t become satisfied where you

are; keep moving forward with dignity,

courage, patients, and fortitude."

"If you think negative thoughts your behavior

will be negative. If you are positive, others will be

positive, and the energy will become contagious."

"When you know what needs to be

done, and you don’t do it, you deserve

the negative consequences."

"Don’t become destructive; become

constructive with your community."

"If you don’t have positive thoughts in

your head, get rid of the thoughts you

have, and become more positive."

"Take time to celebrate and appreciate

the small wonders of the world."

"Don’t be down on yourself, cheer up, there’s

never been a better time to be alive."

"Touch somebody’s life with love and

compassion, and your life will increase."

"Ask yourself, what can I give back, to

make a difference in the world."

"When you’re trying to build something, you

don’t need a lot of negative energy around you."

"Don’t let anyone convince you that you

are not fearfully and wonderfully made,

no matter how bad things seem."

"Don’t allow negative energy to

proliferate into your space."

Don’t fall asleep; carry out your responsibilities.

"Everything you’ve done up to this point has

prepared you for this moment of difficulty."

"Walk with authority, determination, and definite

purpose. As if you’re on your way someplace."

"Get rid of hopelessness, anger, jealousy,

envy, and fear from your life."

"Every year is a new time and a new

season. You have a new opportunity

to make your mark on this world."

"Keep on track, don’t fall apart,

and keep on coming."

"You need to always speak success,

prosperity, and blessings into your life."

"Be predictable, consistent, and gracious,

even though others are negative."

"Don’t speak of what you don’t have,

and what you can’t do, but only of what

you have and what you can do."

"If you believe you can, you will; if

you think you can’t, you won’t."

"When people come against you, it

could mean you’re doing something

positive rather than negative."

"Stay hard, stay steady, stay ready, and

keep working at your objective."

"If everyone believes you will come to a bad

end, don’t fret. Keep thinking positive."

"No matter what you face in life, don’t

give up, keep moving forward."

"Think outside the box, be creative, and re-

imagine yourself. Things are shifting and

emerging. It’s a great time to forge and move

ahead. There is no better time than the present."

"Nobody is going to solve your

problems for you but you."

It’s your life, you must take control of it.

"Get up and get involved; join those

who are changing the world."

"Regardless of how your day goes, you’ve

still got to get up and try again tomorrow.

Things will get better tomorrow."

"If your original situation was hell, don’t give

up, you will get some relief before too long."

"Once you find out who you are and

why God placed you hear, you will begin

to grow and develop in your life."

"It’s been a hard fight all the way, but

now I can see some daylight."

"Cheer up, look on the bright side,

you are still alive and kicking."

"My daddy didn’t pave the way for

me, but what the hell, I’m lucky to

be able to make it on my own."

"The Almighty God is taking you some

place; relax and enjoy the journey."

God made you for a purpose and a destiny.

"Be thankful to the Almighty God for

the good times and the bad."

"Put your best foot forward

and step out on faith."

"God has brought you into the

world for such a time as this."

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get

up and do something about your

life. You have a bright future."

"You will go far in this world if you

maintain a positive attitude."

"If you don’t give your mind positive things to

deal with it will pick up on negative things."

"It’s a beautiful day; get up and

make something happen."

"No matter what, keep your head toward

the sky, and keep believing in yourself."

Always keep your attitude positive.

"You are the greatest thing since sliced

bread and salt and pepper."

"No matter what other people say about

you, keep working on yourself."

"As long as you’re breathing, you have

every reason to feel good about yourself,

and have a favorable outlook."

"You did the best you could even though

you didn’t come out on top."

"I may not be a success in someone else’s

eyes, but I am a winner in my own eyes."

"I didn’t become president, but considering

my background, I was a great success."

"I could have been a dead man,

but I’m alive and kicking."

"I didn’t do all that was in my potential, but I

achieved some of my ambition and purpose."

"When you’re my age, every day

above ground is a good day."

As long as you are surviving you are doing well.

"Think of how many of your friends,

classmates, associates, and acquaintances,

have passed on to glory; and be proud

that you are not one of them."

"Your health may not be the best, and you may

not be rich, but you are alive and kicking."

"Take a good look at yourself and consider

all that you have to be thankful for."

"Focus on making some positive

accomplishments in your life rather than

all the difficulties you must endure."

"You didn’t achieve all that you wanted

in your life, but you can at least say

that you are proud of yourself."

"I didn’t come from the best family, the

best schools, the best church, or the best

community, but with the help of the