The one thing we have the most control over in our lives is the content of our thinking. We have less control over everything else. Our bodies sometimes go out of our control (we get sick), the stock market goes up and down on its own accord, and your job and personal relationships could easily be disrupted by external forces.

How does one take complete control of their inner state? Awareness of your thoughts and sensitivity to how you feel are key practices in this endeavor.

Become more aware of the thoughts that you are thinking. Evaluate those thoughts periodically to ensure that they are meeting your high quality standards.

Become more sensitive to the degree that your beliefs cause you emotional pleasure or emotional pain. Flag those beliefs that cause you emotional pain, write them down, and as soon as possible consciously change these beliefs (re-frame) so that you eliminate the pain. Persisting in emotional pain or just sitting in emotional pain is pointless. It hurts!! Stop the hurt now.
Take positive control over your mind. Recognize that the reason you feel emotional pain is because your are attached to beliefs that aren’t true.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 at 7:02 pm and is filed under Happiness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.