Thoughts are things. What we think about, we become. You may have heard these statements before. Since we can’t see people’s thoughts with our eyes, people tend to feel they go unnoticed and don’t have an impact on what manifests in our life. People might feel these invisible units of energy have no bearing on what appears in the physical world but I believe that every thought we have has a direct effect on our results.
The fact is that the way we think, the things we think about and the quality of our thoughts have a definite effect on our lives. If we are constantly worrying about what could go wrong then we begin to look for this and we literally attract it. If we look for the positive, we can usually find it!
I realize there are times that no matter what we think or do, things don’t go as planned but how we deal with these things can be the key to what happens next. In times such as this, we need to remember that in the darkness of the soil is where growth begins. Keeping in mind that a planted seed needs time to germinate. Always remember to “harvest the good” from what may be seemingly bad.
Practice new thoughts! Just like your body, your mind needs to get in shape too. Work out your mental muscle! If you are in the habit of looking at things through a negative critical lens, it’s time to practice something new. Change the phrases, “just my luck” and “I always get the short end of the stick” to “everything is going my way!”. Start the practice of looking for the nugget of goodness and avoid finding fault. Like everything else, controlling your thinking takes practice. To notice your thoughts is the first step towards changing them. At first it seems a little odd, maybe even a little fake but there are different strategies you can utilize to steer your thoughts in new directions.
Once you notice the negative things that you might be saying to yourself there are a lot of different ways you can begin to change the habit of it. Noticing it is the first step. There is a technique I call the "positive argument”. It’s easy and even a little funny.
You know that voice inside that says mean stuff to you that you would never say to anyone else? Yeah, that one. The one that says things like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not thin enough, smart enough or talented enough”. It’s time to fight back against these thoughts. We don’t have to accept everything that “crosses our mind”. Much of these thoughts are habitual. I believe they are actually lies that someone else told you or convinced you of. Perhaps you may have created these thoughts or beliefs by comparing yourself to others. Here’s what I suggest, answer that inner negative dialogue with an opposite. Start a counter attack with positive affirmations. “I am enough” is a really good one and covers a lot of those negative beliefs. Whenever the negative self talk rears it’s ugly head, just answer with an opposite and choose to disagree. For instance: “I’ll never be able to do that” could be answered with “I can do anything I set my mind to”. “I’m fat” with “I am a beautiful child of God” or “I’m perfect just as I am and I love myself”. Don’t hold back and be bold in your affirmations. Even if you don’t believe your answers at first, you will eventually drown out the voice and get in the habit of thinking differently about yourself.
Here are a few great books to help you learn more about the subject:
Thoughts are Things by Bob Proctor
Thoughts are Things by Prentiss Mulford
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life - Wayne Dyer
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra