Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys. ~ Rita Schiano
Why break the habit? Because our thoughts build paths that our lives follow.
Talking about problems and thinking negative thoughts build paths toward things we do not want. Talking about our joys and thinking positive thoughts build paths that lead to everything we desire.
HOW exactly are we supposed to break this habit of negative thinking? Breaking the addiction cycle begins with recognizing the action. We need to recognize the moment we start doing the thing we want to stop doing - in this case engaging in negative speak (verbal or non-verbal). Recognition can be difficult because when actions are habitual, we often do them without thinking. So thinking is the key.
As we begin trying to change our focus from the negative to the positive, it is possible that the only improvement we will see (for a short time) is that we recognize that we are "doing that thing" again. Give yourself a big pat on the back! If you find yourself mid-conversation about how awful things are, and you simply recognize the fact that you are focused on negative: Congratulations!
The longest journey is made one step at a time. Allow yourself the sweet taste of victory every time you catch yourself. Revel in that success!
As confidence grows, we begin to recognize the negative speak earlier and earlier in the conversation (verbal or non-verbal). The next milestone? Once we are recognizing these actions on a regular basis, we must be willing to try stopping
mid-stream. How? As soon as the recognition dawns, simply say, "Oh never mind." You can expound if you like: "This thought path is leading where I do not wish to go." But "oh never mind" is as complicated as we need to get. Anything that works to simply stop the flow of negative speak.
If we are mid-conversation with someone, we might turn the focus in a positive direction. "I am tired of talking about my problems, let's talk about something happy!"
So: Step 1 - recognize behavior. Step 2 - stop behavior.
Now Step 3 - change behavior. Replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Make positive thoughts as habitual as possible.
My favorite way to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts is to create and practice affirmations!
Creating affirmations is something I enjoy as an art form, but practicing the affirmations is the important thing. Some affirmations will resonate immediately.
I practice these to remind myself of truths I sometimes forget.
Some affirmations I create to intentionally change my habitual thought pattern.
My ingrained habit with those who are rude to me is NOT to be nice. A lifetime of reacting to rudeness with rudeness has been my experience. But the more I practice myself into a positive vibration, the more joy flows into my life and the less time I am willing to spend in negative energy.
I practice the affirmation above so that people who are rude to me do not control me. They can be rude if they choose, but they cannot make me choose a negative vibration.
Positive thoughts align us with Source, God, Unconditional Love.
Negative thoughts are out of alignment with the Source of our souls (God, Unconditional Love) because Source energy or God will not join us in negative thoughts. Never. God is Unconditional Love. Unconditional Love is always positive. Always.
When we allow negative thoughts to dominate, we choose to NOT align with God.
God will not be angry about this or punish us. (We do that quite well on our own.) God continues seeing us as perfect beings worthy of love without condition (because God is Unconditional Love). But when we choose to not align with God, we feel separated from God. This feeling of separation from our Source is what causes us to feel negative emotions. Negative emotion is a road sign that says, "This road leads where you do not want to go!" It is our sign to find a more positive thought and realign our thoughts with Source.
By choosing thoughts that feel good, we feel God. We choose God. We align with the Source of all well-being. And the power that creates worlds flows through us.
If we have spent a lifetime creating patterns of negative thoughts, then replacing those patterns with positive thoughts requires daily practice.
This practice replaces fear with faith.
When chaos is whirling around us, the thoughts that will come are the ones we have practiced. In the middle of crisis, I want to remain calm, grounded and productive. The only way for me to do that is to practice thoughts that are positive and grounding until they are the main current of my thought flow. It will be difficult to remain calm if my practiced vibration is one of fear or doubt.
Let's look at some examples of fear-based vs. faith-based thinking:
a) Nothing works! It's chaos. My life is falling apart.
b) Everything is working out for my highest good.
a) My spouse left me. What did I do wrong? I will always feel lonely!
b) My marriage ended. God has a more amazing relationship planned for me than I can even dream.
a) I am so depressed.
b) I am an extension of Source energy.
a) I will never find true love.
b) I am love. I need not search for it.
a) I am not qualified to (whatever).
b) I can do anything I put my mind to!
a) I hate my body.
b) The world is a work of art, and so am I!
a) I am useless in these situations.
b) I am wonderful, brilliant and worthy.
a) I never get what I want.
b) When I relax and trust, I allow the Universe to deliver everything I have dreamed.
a) What if something terrible happens?!
b) Everything is working out for me.
a) I never have enough money.
b) I joyfully receive income and gratefully pay all my bills.
Which thought in each pair FEELS better when you read it? Which ones feel like the ones you have been practicing? Which ones align with how God thinks? Are there any you would like to practice?
Here is my favorite money mantra from Abraham. Practice this three times a day and watch your financial abundance start to flow!
So grab some affirmations that resonate with you!
Know a GREAT source of affirmations? PLEASE leave a link in the comments!
Sprinkle in a few more that you feel you might appreciate syncing-up with. Write them in a list or onto individual flashcards and practice, practice, PRACTICE them until they encourage you into a more positive vibration.
Maybe this is what the famous Star Wars line meant? May the Force be with you!
Source is always with us. It is our work, while we are physical, to allow Source energy to flow. Source is the light within us. The more positive my vibration, the more Source shines through me.
Stay shiny!
~ Cyndi
Practicing Happiness Daily
