Whether we are 18 or 80, we can change the thoughts and ideas we have about ourselves that do not serve our health, happiness, and success. We can create something more loving and supportive of who we are, and who we want to become.
We acquired most of our negative thinking or bad habits in our childhood. We may have been criticized, ignored, or suffered worse. This gave us our idea about who we are, and how we relate to the world.
As children, we were like sponges soaking up everything going on around us, including the feelings of the people we came into contact with.
If we grew up with a depressed mother, we probably absorbed some of her depression. The feelings and thoughts that we internalized growing up may still be operative in our lives today, unless we have taken the steps necessary to replace them.
If we have internalized the idea that we aren’t good “enough”, or that we don’t deserve, then we should change the idea to “I am worthy”. By consistently telling ourselves that we are worthy, we can re-program our brains to accept and act upon this idea. Seeing this idea in writing implants it further into our consciousness.
When we begin to change a negative thought or habit, we may experience a great deal of discomfort in the beginning. It may show up as anger, fear, guilt, hurt, grief, or self-recrimination. This is a natural part of making personal changes. Whenever we leave our comfort zone, we will find a level of uneasiness. Sometimes this is enough to send us scurrying back to the comfort of the known, even if that known is an undesirable place to be.
In the process of making changes, if you feel overwhelmed with negative feelings, keeping a journal can help to work through them. When journaling, write from your heart, not your head. Be real. Pour out your feelings on the page. Keep writing until you have expressed everything that is bothering you at the moment.
Recording your thoughts and feelings starts a healing process. It can help to clarify your feelings and sort out what you want. Don’t forget to include your dreams and affirmations (positive words about what you want in your life). Seeing it in writing reinforces what you want for yourself and helps to form a new groove in your brain...one which can actually help you make the changes you would like to see.
Every few months, go back and read your journal. This will give you perspective on what you were going through at the time. You will also gain insights into how to make the changes you want in your life. Don’t be afraid to make positive changes. Recognize that discomfort is part of the process. Stepping out of your box and creating a greater you is worth going through the temporary discomfort.
Affirm to yourself “I am magnificent’ often enough, and it becomes the truth of your life. Positive thoughts bring positive results. For more information on affirmations go to the website: www.PositiveAditudes.com.
Attitudes for Positive Living
When we begin to change a negative thought or habit, we may experience a great deal of discomfort in the beginning.