Thoughts and Healthy
Living
“On second thought” – now there’s a phrase to catch one’s
attention! It announces that you have
determined to give pause and think about what you just said. Further, it indicates that a new statement is
forthcoming – perhaps one that carries the weight of a bit more
contemplation. So often, we speak from
the flow of thought without examining the power behind our thinking, thus
without fully understanding the potential power of our words.
Words possess the potential to lift up or bring down; to
tear apart or bind together; to bring enlightenment or create darkness; to hurt
or help; to nurture health or choke out life.
Words are indeed powerful; yet the real
power lies in the thinking behind the words!
The wisdom literature of Psalms 23:7 states, “For as a man
thinks in his heart, so he is.” Now if these words were true, by the time I
was 18, I would have become a girl! The
awesome power of thoughts, right?
Seriously, the intent of this counsel is obvious! Our thinking determines the path of our
existence. Our health or lack thereof
issues from our thinking!
The Allure of
“Stinkin Thinkin!”
In counseling circles, we often refer to negative thought
processes as “stinkin thinkin!” We have
all fallen victim to “stinkin thinkin” from time to time – it’s almost
impossible to escape. The tragedy lies
not in occasionally falling into its trap; the real tragedy exists when
“stinkin thinkin” takes complete control of our words and actions!
Let’s face it; life today does everything in its power to
force us to focus on the negative and hurtful.
We are inundated with reasons for defeatist attitudes and outlooks! In order to combat the mental, emotional and
spiritual onslaught, we must purposefully take steps to counter the effects of
“stinkin thinkin!”
What’s a Person to
Do? Seven Steps to Healthier Thinking
The human mind is a wonderful thing! We possess the ability to reason, reflect and
re-direct our thought processes! We
possess the power of choice! In order to
replace “stinkin thinkin” with thoughts that nurture healthy living, I want to
offer the following guidelines as beginning points.
·
Pause before you speak or act. Take a deep breath and allow yourself time to
formulate exactly what you intend to say or do keeping in mind that healthy
outcomes are the intent.
·
Check your self-talk. What are you saying to yourself? Are your words negative and destructive or
are they supportive and positive?
·
Reflect on the influence of your
self-talk. Historically, what attitudes,
actions perceptions and beliefs have come as a result of your self-talk? How satisfied are you with those results?
·
Visualize what you really want to
do, be or accomplish. How do those
visualizations differ from where you are at this moment?
·
Create affirmations consistent with
your visualizations. Remember that “as
we think is our heart, so we are!”
Change your self-talk with simple, positive and powerful statements that
can be written down, read regularly and committed to memory.
·
Access resources that support your
efforts to change your thinking. Read
books that address positive change.
Listen to tapes or cds that outline practical steps to positive living. Attend seminars. Engage the services of a professional
counselor of life coach. Find yourself a
mentor. Appropriate support is key to
creating healthy thinking!
·
Commit to consistency. The Law of the Harvest states: You harvest what you plant! You harvest more than you plant! You harvest later than you plant! Change
that lasts will not come over night! It
will take time; however, as with any garden, a commitment to consistently
planting and tending to the seeds, guarantees a harvest that exceeds the
initial investment.
On Second Thought
I am hopeful that today as you read this article, you will
allow yourself to entertain “second thoughts!”
I am hopeful that you will allow yourself to feel the power of your
thoughts and begin to believe in the possibility of creating a healthier life
as a result! I am convinced that
choosing to change our thinking will result in experiences beyond our
expectations! I think . . . no . . . On
Second Thought . . . I KNOW this to be true!
Until next time . . . Peace . . . and . . . Second Thoughts!
Mark
Copyright Mark E. Hundley 2010
