Our thinking is incredibly powerful.
It shapes how we feel and in turn how we act.
But here's the thing,
We can't always control the thoughts that pop into our heads.
They appear uninvited,
Triggered by something we see,
Hear or experience.
However,
We can control what we do with those thoughts.
Think of your mind as a stage.
Thoughts are like actors walking on and off that stage.
You don't control who steps on,
But you do control who stays in the spotlight.
And that decision,
Whether to focus on a thought,
Engage with it or let it pass,
Is where your power lies.
Every thought creates a feeling,
And that feeling often drives our actions or behaviours.
But thoughts themselves are fleeting.
They last mere seconds,
Unless we choose to engage with them.
The moment we grab onto a thought and analyse it,
Replay it or argue with it,
We breathe life into it.
This can be useful if the thought is kind,
Constructive or helpful.
It's like watering a plant that helps you grow.
But if that thought is critical,
Unkind or catastrophic,
Engaging with it can have the opposite effect.
It's like watering weeds.
They take over and keep us stuck in cycles of doubt,
Fear or negativity.
The key is to pause and ask yourself,
Is this thought helpful?
If the answer is yes,
Engage with it,
Explore it,
Let it guide you in a positive direction.
If the answer is no,
Let it go.
Letting go isn't the same as ignoring a thought.
Ignoring a thought is like shoving it into a drawer.
It's still there,
Waiting to come back.
Letting go is different.
It means looking at the thought,
Acknowledging it and consciously deciding,
This doesn't serve me,
I'm choosing to release it.
And what happens when a thought keeps returning,
Even when you want to let it go?
That's normal.
The brain loves familiarity and repetitive thoughts often come from deeply ingrained patterns.
Instead of fighting the thought,
Gently remind yourself,
This thought is just a story my mind is telling me.
I don't have to believe it.
This practice takes time but it's worth it.
The more you build awareness of your thoughts,
The more you'll realize that they don't define you.
Thoughts are just mental events.
They come and they go.
They're not who you are and they're not always true.
When you can step back and see your thoughts for what they are,
You reclaim your power.
You're no longer at the mercy of every critical or unhelpful thought.
Instead you become the chooser.
You decide which thoughts to engage with and which to release.
And that's the beauty of it.
While you can't control every thought that comes into your mind,
You have complete control over what you do with them.
