In the same
manner as many people, my “default mode” for reflection is negative. I’m not
saying I have anger management issues.
However, I have plenty of challenges with other kinds of pessimism,
especially fear. After all, negativity is negativity, no matter what form it
takes. I’m one of those people who often allow their limited past to dictate
their future. Such an attitude inhibits growth--in a big way.
In my last blog
post, “2
Examples of how to Heal Heartache,” I discuss tips to reinvigorate our
lives. One of the points I highlight is changing our way of thinking to be more
positive. I would like to continue with that subject today. A positive
outlook is crucial because, no matter what we may be facing, our thought
processes can often either increase or decrease our suffering. By extension,
our way of thinking can often improve or damage our lives. It’s that simple. Really!
Since the
beginning of time, great thinkers have explored the miraculous power of keeping
an optimistic mindset. In fact, no
successful person has ever seen achievement by allowing themselves to be held
down by past failures and limitations. I’m sure you can think of hundreds of
examples. Here is a list of 10 quotes from some of the worlds’ greatest minds on
the importance of getting rid of unhelpful (toxic) thinking:
“Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to rest and approve what God’s
will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” --Romans 12:2
*****
“Whether you think you can,
or think you can’t, you’re right.” --Henry Ford
*****
“We can’t solve problems by
using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” --Albert
Einstein
*****
“Before you can change your
thinking, you have to change what goes into your mind.” --Zig Ziglar
*****
“I do not fix problems. I fix my thinking. Then problems fix
themselves.” --Louise Hay
*****
“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of
your thoughts.” --Marcus Aurelius
*****
“It is your attitude, not
your aptitude, that determines your altitude.” --Zig Ziglar
*****
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” --Norman
Vincent Pace
*****
“You
must learn a new way to think before
you can master a new way to be.”--
Marianne Williamson
*****
Last, but not least, the
most-well known quote from the brilliant neurologist and psychiatrist who
survived Nazi concentration camps: “Everything can be taken from a man but…the
last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of
circumstances.”—Viktor Frankl
My Conclusion
It’s crucial that we
monitor our way of thinking. A negative outlook in life never brought anyone success or happiness. The only way to truly know victory is to keep our
thoughts as positive as possible. Our thoughts are more powerful than most of
us realize. Even if we are going through the darkest of situations imaginable,
keeping our thoughts under control can sometimes make the difference between an
average life and a memorable life.
Are you
holding yourself back with damaged thinking?
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