Choices are driven by behavior, and from our behavior habits are formed.
There are some choices that we make that are visible to those we know and come in contact with – how we choose to dress, how we choose to speak, how we choose to eat. Our choices echo our personality. It voices our preferences. Our choices speak of our identity. Amazingly, situations and associations can drive our choices as well as change our choices. External stimuli influence our choices in obvious ways and, in subtle ways – what we choose to look at, what we choose to listen to, what we choose to eat are all choices we are making, and they are influenced knowingly or unknowingly by many factors.
But I’m most curious about the choices we make to be mentally and spiritually whole – the choices we make in our most private space. What’s on your mind? What have you chosen to be on your mind? We stop to think about many of our choices, but how often do we stop to think about ‘what we are thinking about?’ Metacognition gives us the ability to think about what we are thinking about and to further explore the why’s behind our thoughts. We have a choice. What we think may be driven by the external but we have a choice to process our thoughts and allow them a place of residence in our mind or to dispel them.
Thoughts can become a web that entangles us, that colors our moods and attitude, and dictates our feelings. If these thoughts are positive and constructive then the results will be uplifting but what about when these thoughts are negative and destructive? A negative thought pattern can become so habitual that it becomes second nature. We accept it as our identity. We defend it as an extension of our personality. But do you have a choice? Is this who you really want to be? Are your thoughts beneficial to you? Are they contributing to your happiness? Are your thoughts screaming positivity and progress? If your answers are ‘no’ you might be feeling pretty depleted, exhausted, and drained.
We so often struggle because the battle is in the mind. Thinking is as natural as breathing and too often we think without thinking and our thoughts have free rein in our mind. We oftentimes accept our thoughts as accurate, but not because it’s our thoughts and they are in our mind, it means that they are factual. Not because thoughts enter our minds means that we should offer them a place to stay.
You have a choice. You can choose what stays and what goes. Make a conscious and intentional effort to meditate on the things that are constructive and beneficial to your wellbeing.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. – Philippians 4:8
Empowerment Coach
Michelle Matthias
“Your thoughts are not always your friends; don’t be afraid to change them” – Michelle Matthias
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andy says:
Our thoughts are powerful. They are indeed influenced my many factors/stimuli. It’s therefore critical what we feed our minds… that diet is made up of what we read, watch, our associations etc. Knowing that our thoughts are an extension of self, who we are, and a blueprint for what we do, it’s critical that we we feed our minds with the absolute best.
As stated above, a negative thought pattern can leave you feeling drained. Therefore thoughts are energy, your thoughts develop in your mind but have a far reaching impact on your physical being as well as decisions that you make.
It’s not easy taming/retraining the thought process but oftentimes it’s necessary if we want a different/better outcome. I think that it was mentioned in a book that our thoughts become us.
Lisa says:
Your blogs are so empowering to me….gives me hope that there is a light at the end of every tunnel….it’s our choice to see it….
Sheryl says:
Guide my thoughts Dear Lord. We all need to let God pilot every aspect of our daily lives.