positive thinking

Take Charge of Your Thoughts

emilydownward

“You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.” ~ Marianne WilliamsonOur brains can be one of our biggest assets in helping us achieve amazing feats and seemingly impossible goals…or they can be our biggest liability in keeping us small, low and stuck.

I’m not sure when I became more aware of my thoughts, but it’s been a huge revelation for me in changing my life and shifting from days where I was barraged with depression, loneliness, anxiety and overwhelm to days with more peace, happiness and contentment. I certainly don’t feel like I’ve reached nirvana: I still have some days when I forget that I can choose my thoughts, and I slide down the tunnel, following the spiraling train of negative crap that my inner voice knows how to do so well. But I’m getting much better at catching it and stopping it.

The brain always searches for evidence to prove our thoughts true. So if you’re in a rut of thinking “I can’t handle this” or “My life is out of control,” your brain will look for examples of how that is true. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more evidence your brain finds, the stronger that thought becomes in your mind.

Learning to become aware of your thoughts can be a process. Even now, I often ask for assistance from a fellow coach to help me see what I’m not seeing. It may be easier to start with how you’re feeling. Identifying what emotions are coming up for you can help you identify the thoughts driving those emotions. For example, “I can’t handle this” may bring up feelings of panic, anger, fear, and/or overwhelm. Shifting the thought to a question “how could I best handle this?” or even dissecting the issue and moving to “I can handle this piece right now” puts you more in a state of control and will shift your emotions to curiosity and confidence.

You are so much more than your thoughts. Remember to choose the thoughts that serve you in doing your best work, living your best life.

The Power of Positive Thinking

emilydownward
Sedona
Taken in Sedona, NM, March 2012

“Understanding on a scientific level how cells respond to your thoughts and perceptions illuminates the path to personal empowerment. The insights we gain through this new biology unleash the power of consciousness, matter, and miracles.” – Bruce Lipton, PhD, The Biology of Belief

I’m recently read Bruce Lipton’s book, The Biology of Belief. As a cell biologist, he provides a scientific approach and explanation for the value of the environment on our cells, and collectively, on our bodies. His research provides a new dimension to understanding life, demonstrating that genes and DNA do not control our biology but instead, DNA is controlled by signals outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our positive and negative thoughts.

Dr. Lipton recognizes it’s not just about positive affirmations – although those can be helpful – the key is that the subconscious and conscious mind must be in alignment. You can’t just put whipped cream on dirt and call it dessert. As he states, “the subconscious mind is millions of times more powerful than the conscious mind…You can repeat the positive affirmation that you are lovable over and over or that your cancer tumor will shrink. But if, as a child, you heard over and over that you are worthless and sickly, those messages programmed into your subconscious mind will undermine your best conscious efforts to change your life.”

So how do you know if your positive affirmations and your subconscious are in alignment? Sometimes I notice it in my emotions. When they aren’t in alignment, I feel dissonance, and I don’t really believe the positive affirmation. Or, I notice the results – my positive thinking isn’t having the desired effect. This is where I find working with my coach to be very helpful in allowing me to get to the underlying beliefs that are holding me back. A good coach can help you get to the root of the issue, the beliefs that your subconscious mind holds as truths but are limiting your potential.