I believe in the power of the mind. I also believe that what you think about, you bring about, whether it be good or bad. Awareness is key here. When you catch yourself having negative thoughts, it’s ok. We are all human. Just be aware of the negative thoughts and replace them with something positive instead. They key is not to think about what you don’t want, but to think about what you do want.
It is said that the subconscious doesn’t understand negative. Here’s an example. If you’re holding a tray full of crystal glasses and you tell yourself “I can’t drop these glasses”, your subconscious will only “hear” to drop the glasses. That actually happened to a friend of mine who did drop all of her mother’s crystal. She was devistated!
Here are two true stories that illustrate how your thoughts become your reality in a positive or negative way. The first story will show you that you need to be very clear and specific about what you want otherwise you might suffer the consequences!
If only I could have Peace of Mind…
I’ve always had an active mind and it used to drive me crazy until I read Feel the Fear and Do it Any Way by Susan Jeffers. That book really helped me control my internal chatterbox. You know, the movies you play in your head, the conversations you have with yourself… About six years ago, I was desperately seeking and wishing for peace of mind. I wanted to be more in the moment and stop that ongoing chatterbox. So, one night, my now husband and I were sitting in bed reading, just like we did every night. At one point, the picture that we had so brilliantly hung above our bed fell and hit me right in the back of the head, never even touching my husband. It hit me at such an angle that I ended up in the hospital with a concussion. For a few days, pretty much all mental function stopped, I barely spoke, and all I did was watch cartoons. That was all my little brain could handle.
I share this story with you because I got exactly want I wanted. I just should have been more specific! When I wanted peace of mind, I wasn’t thinking concussion! The universe sure has a sense of humor, something I realized with this experience.
If only I could find the Right Buyer…
Susan and her husband George were doing their spring cleaning and agreed it was time to sell their camper. They hadn’t used it in years so they put it up for sale. Many great vacations were spent with the camper so Susan didn’t want it to go to just anybody. Susan wanted and wished for the right buyer. A lot of people came to look at it but no buyers until one day, a delightful couple came to look at it. It was exactly what this couple wanted so they agreed to buy it right there and then. The woman wrote a check and guess what her last name was? Wrigth-Buyer. Susan had wanted the right buyer for the family camper and she got just that with Mrs. Wright-Buyer.
I hope that story put a smile to your face. It sure did me when I was told the story by some dear family friends.
I will leave you with a great quote that I have on my desk as a reminder to “watch” my thoughts… I hope it will help you watch yours!
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” ― Lao Tzu
When I was a professional athlete, the power of positive thinking was drilled into us repeatedly by our coaches. I utilized the positive mindset for all the challenges that were to come after an accident left me with traumatic brain injury in 1998. Today, I teach those same tools to my audiences/readers. The mind is, indeed a very powerful tool that we can use to our benefit, but we often program it unknowingly, to our detriment. Good post!
Good grief, I can completely relate to the freak accident with the picture above your bed. I’m the only one I know who can manage to get second degree burns from a splash of hot water on my hand and 3 stitches in my lip from tripping and falling into a wall. I am going to be extra careful the next time I ask for peace of mind. Something like that will happen to me. I just know it. lol
I agree with the overall message in this post. Negative thoughts bring negative actions, so it stands to reason that positive thoughts will bring positive actions.
I believe there is power in what we think and say. If you dwell on negative you create a negative vibe around you. But if you focus on joy and happiness you lift yourself and others around you. Additionally what we dwell upon in our minds and hearts becomes our priority. As Christian I know that if my mind isn’t in the right place I can’t focus on what I truly should be making a priority in my life. By focusing on the positive and having faith in God that because he loves me He will provide me with those desires that are best for me.
Wow! I’m so sorry to read about your injury but kudos to you for using your experience and knowledge to teach others! That’s wonderful!