Zero Tolerance for Negative Thinking
On some level, I tolerate negative thoughts in my mind. I have a strong goal to be happy all the time. Moreover, if anyone has control of my own mind, it is me. Yet negative thoughts persist.
Whose mind is it anyway? It’s mine. Nevertheless, at times, automatic negative thought patterns arise. I believe that these negative automatic thoughts are probably the result of past conditioning.
So far, one technique that has been very helpful is increasing my sensitivity to my own negative thoughts.
Sometimes I recognize a negative thought pattern in my mind, and then I am able to observe it and get some emotional distance from it. I might even say to myself, “Oh, there it is.”
Most often I simply observe the negativity work its way though my mind and body. Often I feel the anger, fear or sadness as deeply satisfying. It is so satisfying, in fact, that in the moment I do not want to eliminate it.
After a very strong emotion, it might take me hours to recover my usual countenance. Sometimes my adrenaline is pumping in my bloodstream. Thankfully, these strong negative emotions are very rare. During this time of recovery, I sometimes recognize what is happening and make a few conscious attempts to recover faster.
Recently I have been using a metaphor, a huge and speeding train. The train represents my intention to be happy. When I first notice a negative thought, I imagine that the train runs over and destroys the negative thought. Then I start a flurry of question asking to challenge directly the negative thought head on.
- How do I know this is happening?
- How do I know this is bad?
- Is it true?
- Can it be interpreted in another way?
- What are the positive aspects?
- What does this situation really mean?
My theory is that the flurry of question asking at the slightest inkling of a negative thought will keep it at bay. The train metaphor is useful because it allows me to mentally visualize just how committed I am to this process.
