Sometimes I feel the pull as soon as I open my eyes. If the previous day’s problems don’t get resolved, the weight can often feel heavy in the fog of early morning. Even after a cup of coffee, I find myself wrestling with my thoughts.
Managing our brains around both big and little problems isn’t always easy, but it is necessary. That’s why one of the most important ways to live refreshed is to choose the best thoughts for ourselves, around EVERYTHING.
It’s natural for our thinking to default to the worst case scenario.
It’s our way of preparing for potential risks and danger because our brains are designed to expect the worst. It’s a protection mechanism, and although we need this to keep ourselves safe from real danger, it can also become a barrier to simply enjoying each day apart from the challenges.
One simple thought takes us down a rabbit trail of potential worst case scenarios.
- An unknown physical ailment means a life threatening illness.
- An unexpected expense means a financial dooms day.
- A late night phone call means the worst possible news.
- An impromptu meeting with the boss means we’re surely going to be fired.
- An unreturned phone call or message means someone’s upset.
- A negative reaction from someone means there’s something wrong with us.
Realizing we can choose our thoughts is a gamechanger.
I remember when this concept became a game changer for me. Managing my thoughts was an empowering way to live as opposed to healthy self-talk or affirmations that soon gave way to anxious, worrisome patterns of thinking. And worst case scenario’s fizzle before they have a chance to do any damage.
We can trade anxiety of the unknown for peace through the unknown. We trade insecurities for knowing we have all we need to navigate anything, even if that resource is seeking help outside of ourselves. When we understand that our perceptions don’t have to dictate our day, we trade all the potential bad for all the possible good.
Each day holds the opportunity of choosing our thoughts about everything.
Every situation. Every person. Our thoughts always determine the quality of our day. Spending any amount of time in anxiety and worry is not the best use of our day.
Mastering the choice of how to think and what to think is wanting the very best for ourselves and offering the best to others.
- We stop labeling and making assumptions.
- We stop judging and blaming and instead extend the benefit of doubt.
- Compassion becomes an authentic quality that resonates from deep within.
- The need to be accepted by others is silenced by the choice to accept ourselves, void of self judgement.
- We become better listeners and better friends because we no longer have anything to prove.
- Rigid expectations release their hold and we make space for problem solving.
The more aware we are aware of our thoughts, the better we’ll become at choosing a better thought.
How to start:
It’s an interesting experiment to go about our day and log every conscious thought on a piece of paper or in a journal. Then, when we ask ourselves if each thought is true, we realize how messy an unmanaged brain really is. Considering that our brain processes thousands of thoughts in a day, 80% of those thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive, choosing our thoughts is a pretty important practice.
We owe it to ourselves to choose the best thoughts.
The thoughts that bring us peace, joy and hope are always the best thoughts. The more we do it, the easier the choice will be, especially when we experience the rewards of our choice.
It’s okay to start small. Start with one repetitive, negative thought. Question the thought and realize how it’s making you feel. Then, choose a thought that makes you feel better. Continue to repeat the thought and watch what happens. Things will shift as the thought shifts. Perspective will shift. Expectations will shift. Feelings will shift.
Everything gets better when we choose the best thought that helps us rise above the negative default of our thinking. We have nothing to lose and so much to gain. Our physical and emotional health, our relationships, our circumstances, and the quality of our day.
Life gets sweeter. We find more gifts in a day. We live refreshed, and our best day is always available to be fully enjoyed.
So go ahead, start choosing a better thought…the best thought for the best day!