It’s so easy to focus on the negative, isn’t it? That’s how our minds tend to work.

Problems. Worries. Fears. Regrets. Aches and pains. Wrinkles and age spots. Lost dreams. What we haven’t accomplished.

On and on, our minds can go. As we age, we can find even more things to think negatively about.

 

But these kinds of thoughts are not good for you.

Negative thoughts make you feel sad, anxious, fearful, depressed, and hopeless.

They drain your energy.

They reduce your ability to deal with life’s problems and to savor life’s joys.

They feed upon themselves creating more negative thoughts.

So stop thinking negative thoughts!

Hmm. That suggestion probably didn’t help much, did it?

I might as well tell you not to think of a pink elephant. And then, of course, you won’t be able to get the pink elephant out of your mind.

So what is the answer?

Substitution!

You cannot hold two opposing thoughts in your mind at the same time. It’s just not possible.

If you want to stop thinking about that pink elephant, think about a purple one or a pink hippo instead.

So it is with a negative thought, rather than trying to stop it,  replace  it with a positive one.

For example, if you catch yourself thinking, “I’m too old to do that” substitute another, more positive thought.

You could say to yourself “I can do that if I want to” or “I know of people much older who do amazing things” or “Wouldn’t it be fun to try that?”

The possibilities for positive thoughts are limitless.

Practice, Practice, and Practice Some More

Yep, it’s just that simple. Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones. But believe me; I do understand it’s not easy.

You will need to practice doing this over and over again. You can change your mind’s negative thinking habits and it won’t happen overnight.

But it’s worth it!

The more you do this, the better you’ll feel.

You’ll have more joy and energy.

You’ll open up to more possibilities and opportunities.

You’ll have more freedom to enjoy and make the most of life.

And you’ll be more able to deal with any challenges life throws your way.
 

From Depression to Dresses

The morning of my 60th birthday my mind started down a very negative track. I don’t want to be 60. I’m old. I’m out of shape. Yada, yada. On and on. 

Very quickly I was on a dark road in my mind. Unchecked, I could have quickly slid my way into a nice little depression.

In the midst of this, I remembered an experience I’d had the day before, walking through the designer floor of Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. The Dior and Valentino ball gowns there were works of art. I’d oohed and aahed at dress after dress.

As I started thinking about the pleasure of seeing those dresses, my thinking shifted. I was substituting positive thoughts for negative ones.

Quickly, completely, almost magically my thoughts, my feelings, my attitude, and my energy changed.

Within minutes I went from verging on depression to feeling happy, excited, and lit up.

This experience vividly reminded me of the power of shifting my thinking.

In Your Life

Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones is crucial if you want to experience peace and joy in your life. Experiment with this and see how it works for you.

1) Notice when your thoughts are making you feel bad, sad, mad, anxious, afraid, hopeless, depressed.

2) Do not try to figure out, identify or stop those thoughts. Simply acknowledge whatever you’re aware of thinking and feeling.

3) Then substitute a more positive thought. A thought that “lights you up” (energizes and enlivens you), makes you happy, or soothes you.

4) As they say, rinse and repeat. Practice doing this over and over.

Your mind may tend to focus on the negative but you don’t have to be a victim of your mind. You can choose to replace negative thoughts with positive ones and reap the benefits of changing your mind’s habits.

Thoughts or experiences you’d like to share? Click on Comments, scroll down to the form, and write away.