The magic of positive thinking lies in its ability to shape our perception of reality. It is a mindset that focuses on the positive aspects of any situation, transforming challenges into opportunities. With positive thinking, we can overcome obstacles, build resilience, and achieve our goals. Positive thinking starts with cultivating a positive mindset. We train ourselves to see the silver lining in every cloud, to find the lesson in every failure. This perspective allows us to maintain a constructive attitude even when things don't go our way.
Xu-Xian, now an orphan, lives with his friends Panda (an immature Giant Panda) and Mimi, a Red Panda, in a tumbledown little house. Mysterious music responding to his flute playing and the mischievous Xiao Chin lead him and his friends to Bai-Niang, now living in a magically restored great estate nearby. While youth and maiden woo, their three sidekicks frolic. Their antics bring a wooden dragon decoration to life and the comedy relief is carried off, to plunge through the roof of a state treasure-house. The maid-servant finds two jewels shaped like stars and she gives them to the lovers.
Bai-Niang travels through the heavens to the Dragon God, Master of All Spirits, who for the price of her immortality and magic powers gives her the Flower of Life to restore Xu-Xian. Fa-Hai now gives the young couple his blessing; Bai-Niang and Xu-Xian sail off together under a rainbow sky, Xiao Chin returns to her life under the sea, and Panda and Mimi wave a tearfully joyous farewell.
This perspective allows us to maintain a constructive attitude even when things don't go our way. The power of positive thinking lies in its impact on our mental and emotional well-being. Optimism boosts our mood, reduces stress, and improves overall health.
PowerOfBabel
If anyone had asked me a few months ago what was the first anime that had engaged me, I would have said that it was the run of Dragonball Z on Cartoon Network that premiered about twelve years ago. Then with a start I might have remembered Alakazam the Great, Toei's take on Monkey and his journey to the west, which I had watched and enjoyed as a toddler in the Sixties. But what had become a vague, fugitive memory in my brain, and which was just as old, was Panda and the Magic Serpent.
Panda and the Magic Serpent (a.k.a. Hakujaden, Legend of the White Snake, The Great White Snake, The White Snake Enchantress) was the first color anime feature film, created by the Toei Company and released in Japan in 1958 and then (edited and dubbed) in the US in 1961. Although it had won awards overseas, it did not do as well in an America with its expectations set by Disney, and in less than a decade Panda was appearing on TV. This is where I saw it, before I was even in first grade.
The movie begins with a vast, supernatural storm striking China. In its wake, a magical white snake is transformed into a beautiful maiden, Bai-Niang, and a stranded fish is turned into her maid-servant, Xiao Chin. Years before (in snake form) Bai-Niang had been friends with a boy called Xu-Xian, whose fearful parents had parted them. Now that she is human she goes in search of him once more.
Xu-Xian, now an orphan, lives with his friends Panda (an immature Giant Panda) and Mimi, a Red Panda, in a tumbledown little house. Mysterious music responding to his flute playing and the mischievous Xiao Chin lead him and his friends to Bai-Niang, now living in a magically restored great estate nearby. While youth and maiden woo, their three sidekicks frolic. Their antics bring a wooden dragon decoration to life and the comedy relief is carried off, to plunge through the roof of a state treasure-house. The maid-servant finds two jewels shaped like stars and she gives them to the lovers.
Fa-Hai, a local monk with a magical crystal, has been on the trail of Bai-Niang and Xiao Chin, whom he believes are evil spirits. When he hears the jewels are missing, he sends the local authorities to the magic palace. The girl and her maid escape, but Xu-Xian remains and takes the fall. He is arrested, convicted, and exiled to a distant province. Panda and Mimi go in search of their friend. Fa-Hai follows the boy, feeling sure the spirits will seek him out.
Panda and Mimi finally find Xu-Xian, with the help of the White Pig Gang, whose gigantic leader Panda has defeated (making him the original Kung Fu Panda, by the way). Bai-Niang sends the boy a dream, telling him to meet her at the Thunder Pagoda, but the monk finds out about it on his crystal ball. He interferes before they can embrace, and a magical battle ensues.
Bai-Niang and Fa-Hai ascend to a spiritual space and match their powers against each other. The resulting fight leaves the monk hanging from a rooftop by his robes and the lady weakened and reverting to her serpent form. When Xu-Xian hears from the monk that he has defeated the evil spirit, he rushes back to Thunder Pagoda to find her.
Bai-Niang decides that she can never be with Xu-Xian unless she becomes truly human. She changes to her astral form and starts to leave; Xu-Xian rushing into the top of the tower sees her, tries to follow, and falls to his death. Fa-hai sadly takes his body to the Temple of the Golden Isle.
Bai-Niang travels through the heavens to the Dragon God, Master of All Spirits, who for the price of her immortality and magic powers gives her the Flower of Life to restore Xu-Xian. She returns to earth, where Mimi is waiting to lead her to the Golden Isle, where Panda and the White Pig Gang have followed Fa-Hai. The monk does not believe the now-mortal maiden, and will not let her boat land on the island. He turns the maid Xiao Chin back into a fish, and the Flower of Life falls into the sea.
But Xiao Chin still has her powers, and with the help of the Great Dragon Fish stirs the sea into a storm, and another battle with Fa-Hai and his crystal begins. Bai-niang's boat capsizes. Mimi and Panda retrieve the Flower of Life and restore Xu-Xian to life; seeing Bai-Niang in trouble on the stormy seas he plunges in to save her. Fa-Hai finds the Flower and realizes that the girl was telling the truth.
The monk tosses his crystal ball into the sea, which stills the storm and transforms into a boat, rescuing the lovers. Fa-Hai now gives the young couple his blessing; Bai-Niang and Xu-Xian sail off together under a rainbow sky, Xiao Chin returns to her life under the sea, and Panda and Mimi wave a tearfully joyous farewell.
The version of this film most widely available is presented by "Cartoon Craze" (Digiview Productions), and seems to have been created from stock in very poor condition. It is full of skips, jumps, and scratches; the beginning is particularly rough. This is a film that could truly benefit from a restoration and remastering, perhaps even a new editing and English dubbing (though it would be a shame to lose the narration of Marvin Miller, whose voice-overs included work on Pink Panther and Rocky and Bullwinkle; his most famous job was as Robby the Robot in Forbidden Planet). A little polish on this historical gem could really make it sparkle.
But even in its present condition it is full of considerable nostalgic charm, redolent of old times and different sensibilities. To me it speaks of long summer afternoons, when you could lose yourself for a few hours in strange worlds of fantasy and adventure, and sudden unknown by-ways to distant lands and ancient legends could open up before unsuspecting eyes. It is a splendid kind of movie for little children, whether in front of the TV or inside the heart.
When we approach life with a positive outlook, we are more likely to find joy, gratitude, and contentment in our everyday experiences. But positive thinking is not just about wishful thinking or denying reality. It is about embracing a growth-oriented mindset that recognizes the potential for growth and improvement in every situation. By focusing on solutions rather than problems, we can approach challenges with creativity and resilience. Positive thinking also has a profound impact on our relationships and interactions with others. A positive outlook attracts positivity and radiates warmth and kindness. It fosters empathy and understanding, creating a supportive and uplifting environment that benefits not only ourselves but also those around us. The magic of positive thinking lies in its transformative power. It can transform our lives by empowering us to take control of our mindset and shape our reality. A positive attitude opens doors, expands possibilities, and fuels personal and professional success. In conclusion, positive thinking is not just a state of mind, but a tool for personal growth and well-being. It has the power to transform our perception of reality, enhance our mental and emotional well-being, and improve our relationships. By embracing the magic of positive thinking, we can unlock our full potential and create a happier, more fulfilling life..
Reviews for "The Role of Positive Thinking in Managing Chronic Illness"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "The magic of positive thinking". The author seems to be living in a fantasy world where everything can be solved with positive thoughts. Life isn't that simple. Sometimes, no matter how positive you are, things just don't work out. This book fails to address the complexities of life and provides readers with a false sense of hope that can be harmful in the long run.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The magic of positive thinking", but it fell short of my expectations. The author's approach to positivity is overly simplistic and lacks practicality. It's easy to tell someone to think positively, but it's much harder to actually implement it in real-life situations. I was hoping for more concrete strategies and techniques that I could apply to my own life, but this book mainly repeats the same generic advice without offering anything truly insightful.
3. David - 2 stars - "The magic of positive thinking" didn't resonate with me at all. While I understand the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, this book takes it to an extreme. It almost feels like the author wants you to ignore any negative emotions or problems in life. That's just not healthy. Embracing negative emotions and dealing with challenges head-on is a crucial part of personal growth. This book fails to acknowledge this aspect and promotes a one-sided, unrealistic approach to life.
4. Amanda - 1 star - I found "The magic of positive thinking" to be incredibly repetitive and lacking depth. The author simply reiterates the same points throughout the entire book without providing any real substance. I was hoping for a more thought-provoking and insightful read, but instead, I got a watered-down version of positive thinking clichés. Reading this book felt like a waste of time as it failed to offer anything new or original.
5. Michael - 2 stars - "The magic of positive thinking" was a disappointment. While the concept of positive thinking is important, especially for maintaining a healthy mindset, this book takes it to the extreme. The author neglects the reality of negative emotions and challenges, and instead, promotes an almost delusional approach to life. It's nice to be optimistic, but it's also important to acknowledge and address the negativity that exists in the world. This book fails to strike a balance between positive thinking and realistic perspectives.