theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 50 DINING OUT HEALTH & WELLNESS Your thoughts are a very subtle, yet extremely powerful, form of energy. Nothing occurs in your life that is not first thought in your mind. Your thoughts are like magnets, drawing effects to you. Every human thought is based on either love or fear. Harmful negative thoughts are based in fear. If you allow yourself to default to them and you encourage emotional wounds to fester, they can create negative experiences. You move energy by thinking, creating an effect. Be careful not to materialize what you fear! Since every thought starts in the mind, it is important to watch the nature of the content of your thoughts. In other words, be mindful of what you think lest you draw negativity to yourself and give it power. It is difficult to reverse negative effects, especially physical ones like illness. Remember that every thought brings results. It is the law of attraction. Harnessing and exercising control over your thoughts is not as difficult as it seems. It is all a matter of discipline. Here is how you can learn to recalibrate your negative thoughts: 1. Be aware that you are having negative thoughts. Notice them without getting caught up in the drama. 2. Learn to monitor both the content and the quality of the thought. Think about what you’re thinking about. Recognize the power you have to control your mind so the negative thoughts don’t take over. 3. Set your intention to reject the pessimism that the thought engenders. 4. Create a safe word, phrase, or short affirmation ( i.e.: “I rid myself of negativity and embrace the process of life”) that you can say to yourself when negativity arises. This affirmation brings you back to the present. You can then distract yourself with an activity. 5. Replace the negative thought with a positive one and embrace its accompanying benevolent energy. Positive thoughts of love, peace, and abundance create unity and optimism. It changes our perception of reality so that we can solve problems and think clearly. It doesn’t hold us back in a dark place, but helps us move forward with clarity. 6. Practice gratitude every day for what is good in your life. Minimize the negativity so you can find the courage you need to face your obstacles and challenges. It is important to remember not to judge yourself too harshly if you engage in negative thinking. Just notice your thought patterns. Understand that it will take time and patience to undo the years of harmful thoughts that robbed you of joy, but you can change your quality of life, how you view yourself, and how you interpret the world, just by changing your thoughts. When you let positive thoughts become your default, you will see life as a joy, not a burden. Positive thoughts are a precious gift you can give yourself and those around you to realize the quality of life you deserve. Irene C. Lebbad, MSW, LCSW, CIMHP The Center for Intrapersonal Wellness, LLC 2 North Road, Suite 3, Warren, NJ Irene.lebbad@gmail.com HEALTH HOTLINE “Re-Calibrating” Negative Thoughts By Irene C. Lebbad, MSW, LCSW, CIMHP Harnessing and exercising control over your thoughts is not as difficult as it seems. It is all a matter of discipline.
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