Thoughts Create - What Are You Creating?
This quote is so powerful because it traces the pathway of our thoughts into shaping reality. But it begs the question, how does one watch thoughts?
Thoughts can feel elusive. As in, I can be thinking of something and not realize I am thinking about anything until I catch myself! Have you noticed this too? I may have the best intentions to "catch" myself thinking negatively about a subject and intend to replace that thought with a more affirming thought but it seems challenging sometimes to be that present to my thoughts.
So what are some ways to become present to thoughts?
Meditation is one form I use to help me bring awareness thoughts. Namely, I like to notice during meditation when I get distracted by a thought or when I become lost in thought; or more so when I start to identify with that thought.
Another practice is journaling. On one side of a piece of paper, I will write down all of the negative thoughts I have on a subject. Then, after taking a few deep breaths and asking Spirit to be with me, I right down on the right side of the paper truths.
What I notice in doing this is that the negative messages always tend to be around lack, self-doubt, not being good enough, not feeling adequate, not being accepted or something along those lines. And when I feel into that, my body and my emotional self don't feel very good. Conversely, when I feel into the items written on the right side of the paper, my heart space opens and I feel good in my body.
So how does all of this come together? Well, I may not always be able to catch myself when I am thinking less than desirable thoughts. But, my body and emotions give me feedback in the moment. It's easier to notice when my body doesn't feel good or when my emotional mood has shifted and those indicators remind me to ask myself, what was I just thinking that caused me to feel poorly? It's like using my body and emotions as a dashboard to indicate what I am thinking.
What are your thoughts? How are they shaping your world?