Our brains are such busy little things, always looking for something to notice to comment on, to judge. When we think a lot about something, like “I don’t have enough money” “I don’t have enough time” “I’m lonely, I don’t like my body, I’m clumsy…” our brains start looking for things to notice so they can validate those thoughts. And we start seeing all kinds of things that seem to validate our belief.
So what if we flipped it around? What if we started telling ourselves that life is easy, there is always enough, I am beautiful just as I am… Suddenly, as if by magic we start seeing things that validate that new belief. Our brains start looking for proof of the positive; suddenly you notice a stranger is smiling, the client who’s late gives you time to take a deep breath and stretch, you walk past a window and see the beauty of the clouds instead of the cloudy sky, you find a quarter on the sidewalk…
I invite you to try this experiment. For the next week, look for things to appreciate. Constantly, all day, keep your eagle eye and judgemental brain on the lookout for cool things to appreciate and be grateful for. When you find yourself slipping back into negativity, remind yourself that you are performing an experiment, and appreciate yourself for catching yourself.
Be ruthless in your pursuit of the positive. When negative thoughts come, toss them out the window and look for something, anything that reminds you that life is good and we are blessed. It’s really not hard to find things when you instruct your brain to start looking.
I’d love to hear how your week goes. I am taking the challenge as well, and beginning by appreciating all of you and the gift of our connection.
In appreciation, Carol
Hey,
Thanks for a great post! This is so true, we don’t see with our eyes, we see with our minds and we see with what is “in our minds” We see or hear or feel to confirm our beliefs not what is “out there”, if we change our mindsets we change our perceptions.
I’ll try your experiment and let you know.
Riel
What a great post Carol, just read it now as it’s exactly what I needed to reaffirm to myself today! Thanks for being
It’s so true that it’s amazing everyone doesn’t just get it and practice it. Positive Psychology and many theologies promote this idea.
In his first book called The Path of Least Resistance, Robert Fritz uses this ideal to ask, what if you set-up the structure of your life so that your most desirable path was the easiest one.
I used Robert’s ideal in my Your Recovering Future model. What if you set-yourself-up so that the most desired path for your recovery was the easiest way.
Tom
Much to be said on this. A good reading to s group after wathing the film “The Secret”. This further promotes the ideas of the lawas of attraction and how you bring about what you think about. Thanks.
A lovely posting. As a brain and behavioral scientist I have long been fascinated by the limits of and shifts in our attention. Even given that I can get caught up with the tasks and “problems” of the day. When I do this I too can forget to notice the trees, a sunrise or sunset, or the birds singing outside of my window.
I have also worked with individuals under various forms of stress and addiction. What you suggest is not only valuable for these folks, but for all of us.
Thank you for your post.
John C. Fentress, PhD
Yes, thank you for the reminder. Yes life is worth living, and we can make that difference just by changing what we choose to think and believe.
To me the Bible is my ‘lighthouse’, always rerouting me on the right direction on life important issues.
Hi, opening our eyes to the beauty of the world is so important, noticing the little things. I live in England and it has been very cold where I live for quite a while now. I have just returned home from travel on the other side of the world – but I notice the daffodils are still blooming, the birds are singing, the buds are coming through – spring is doing its best to arrive but it is still cold which seeps into my bones. But if I combine the both, I come up with a reasonable acceptance of this time of year and what it can bring. Both for me need to be there, so i can integrate them into a healthy psyche…
Thanks for the excellent post! I have recovered from an alcohol addiction.I am so blessed.When I finally learned how to listen instead of feeding my brain with negative energy,I was able to receive the positive.Love replaced the self-loathing and I was then able to see clearly,the darkness dissipated.21 years ago I walked in darkness,now I notice the trees,the blue sky,the clouds,the sunshine.I noticed one day a small bird alone on a tree,it was as though he spoke to me and was saying,”thanks for noticing me!”No one else passing by looked up at him as he screeched.This was a truly amazing experience,so much so that I wrote about it and today I am known as “TINY BIRD!”to people who know me on the internet.Thanks,Myrna Reid