What if you could choose your thoughts?

Last week, I talked about how circumstances are neutral.  


Thoughts, of course, are not neutral. If thoughts were facts, everyone would have the same thoughts about a circumstance. Where some people see problems, others see opportunity. That’s how you can tell the difference between a thought and a circumstance.


Many things we think are circumstances (facts) are actually thoughts. “I don’t have time” is often a thought. We make time for the things that matter to us.


We also confuse thoughts, feelings, and circumstances. “I can’t” is also often a thought. Sometimes you physically can’t do something, and that’s a circumstance, but often we say we can’t when we actually mean “I don’t want to” or “I’m overwhelmed” or “I’m scared” (feelings).


“This is the worst day ever!” is a thought, not a fact. So is “This is the best day ever!” Think about that one. Think about the different feelings you might have if you believe you’re having the worst day vs. the best day.


Now let me be clear, I don’t advocate for telling yourself that you’re having the best day ever when you’re facing tragedy. It’s okay to not have the best day ever. It’s okay to have difficult days. Experiencing a range of feelings is part of our humanity.


That said, if you’re not getting the results in your life that you want, or if you want to do things differently, or if you want to feel different about your circumstances, all of that is within your power. You simply need to change your thoughts. Find something different to believe. Something you actually CAN genuinely believe right now.


The important takeaway here is that you can choose your thoughts. And ancient wisdom tells us that “As a man thinks, so is he.”


So what are the thoughts behind the things you feel and do everyday? If you’re not feeling and acting and accomplishing the way you want to feel and act and accomplish, what might you choose to think instead? What thoughts do you WANT to have? I encourage you to ask yourself that this week.
 

I'll talk to you then!


Monica