Take charge of your thoughts

You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. – Elizabeth Gilbert

Virtually all the things that happen in your life are affected by your thoughts, and your predominant thoughts are responsible for shaping your reality. They affect your reactions and actions, and they have a significant influence on your attitude and behavior, and sometimes even your health.

Your thoughts, your mental images, and your attention are what make up your mind’s power.  What makes your thoughts strong and influential are your enthusiasm, interest, and attention. Your subconscious mind is strongly affected by your thoughts and this can have a great impact on your actions and reactions to the people and things in your life.

It’s important to know that your subconscious mind doesn’t separate imaginary experiences from real experiences because all the mental pictures you feed it will be accepted as real ones. This is why visualization works so well when practiced regularly.

•  Whatever it is that you desire to achieve, use your imagination to create a visual image of it.  
• Be very detailed about this mental scene, particularly the physical aspects; think of the scent, sound, color, feel, and whatever else you can to make the visual scene come to life in your mind.  
• Practice this visualization at least once a day, or as often as you can.

But be very careful what you think about. Try hard not to let negative thoughts crowd out the positive. Don’t let previous negative experiences lead you to misunderstand current situations; look at each day with fresh eyes and positive thinking, and you will see the potential for good things to happen.

“The mind is everything.  What you think you become.” – Buddha

Some ways to help you arrive at a more positive attitude are:

• Take personal responsibility – take responsibility for your thoughts and actions.

  • It is only when you take responsibility for your life that you discover how powerful you truly are. – Allanah Hunt

• Be compassionate – with yourself and with others.

  • One of the secrets of inner peace is the practice of compassion.” Dalai Lama

• Be willing to see things differently – before you can create new perceptions, you must be willing and ready.

  • Man can alter his life by altering his thinking. – William James

• Spend time with positive people – it will enhance your positive attitude.

  • Surround yourself with really good people… Because the people you surround yourself with are a reflection of you.- Aaron Rodgers.

• Contribute to the community – focusing on what you have to give is a great way to feel good about things.

  • When I do good, I feel good. – Abraham Lincoln

• Recognize and replace negative thoughts – take action to replace them with positive ones.

  • Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results. – Willie Nelson

• Practice gratitude – gratitude naturally helps you focus on the positive, so take some time every day to look at the things you are grateful for. You may find many more than you think!

  • Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul. – Amy Collette

•  Practice self-care – if you’re not in a good shape; be it physically, mentally, or emotionally, it will be difficult for you to think positively. Take some time each day to focus on yourself; exercise, eat well, meditate, whatever helps you feel good. 

  • Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. – Jim Rohn   

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. – Andy Warhol

 Are you trying to change your thoughts to be more positive? Or are you already there? Either way, I’d love to hear from you about your experience – let me know in the comments!