Change your Mindset

Change your mindset from negative to positive. Your thoughts determine how you feel and behave toward others and most importantly yourself. The most important relationship that we have is with ourselves and when we're not kind to ourselves it affects us greatly. Feelings of sadness, depression and anxiety often begin in our minds. Our thoughts can either control us or we can control them. The brain is an amazing and powerful organ in our body. Often our thoughts run rampant over us and have the propensity to make us feel bad. It is a constant struggle to control our thoughts. 

I've learned that I'm not as good to myself as I should be. It's not enough to schedule a spa day, a therapist appointment, or even a day of rest. I need to incorporate it into my life just like breathing, eating, and sleeping. I journal and use writing as a means to express my thoughts and feelings. Friendships are an important part of my support system. It helps to keep me grounded. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." Proverbs 17:22

In the Bible, it reads, "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. " Philippians 4:8 

Even the Bible discusses the power of our thoughts and how we have to control our ways of thinking. There are several different ways to deal with our run-away thoughts. Meditation, medication, diet, exercise, and rest, yet, none of these things can work unless we're intentional about our thoughts. This is why focus is so important. We have to learn how to focus our thoughts on the positive and what is true, not what is a lie and negative. 

Our thoughts often betray us and show our innermost fears. When we tell ourselves that we're not good enough, or smart enough, or pretty enough that's our inner angst taking over. When we ruminate on our failures and mistakes we live in the past. When we worry about what we can't control we become anxious. We have to find the peace of the present to live a happy and joyful life. I don't know about you, but I desire joy and peace. When your mind is at peace the rest of you will be, also. 

Meditation is an effective method to learn how to quiet our minds and focus. Essentially controlling our thoughts is really about focus and remembering what is true and not what may or will happen or what we're afraid of. Many times fear drives our thoughts into a frenzy. Depression and anxiety feed off of this negative energy. And we become depressed, anxious, and our mental well-being tanks. Nonetheless, we have to remain vigilant in making sure to guard our thoughts and regain our peace. 

Medication can help regulate our mind, a good diet encourages us to eat healthy to have a sober mind, exercise allows us to work off our excess energy so that our minds can rest, and sleep allows the mind to heal and process information. These are different ways that we can use to center our thoughts, however, nothing works better than learning how to focus our thoughts on the positive. And that means being intentional in our focus on the positive. 

Our mind, body, and spirit should be working in harmony with one another instead of our body and spirit overcompensating for the mind's weaknesses. The mind is a complex puzzle, yet when we examine our thoughts and determine if there is truth, or if it is a lie, we can guard ourselves against the harm that can come from our uncontrolled thoughts. Once we master that skill, we are unstoppable. Focus on the positive. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you.