“Every experience has shaped you, strengthened you, and set you up to take advantage of the future in a new and improved way.”
Did you know that on any given day the average person has anywhere from 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts? That’s a lot of thoughts. What I finally realized was that one of the best things I could do was be mindful about the thoughts that were running through my mind every single day.
This was a realization I had because there were far too many days where I used to allow the wrong type of thoughts to run through my mind endlessly.
I am tired. I don’t feel like going to work today.
I can’t believe she said that.
I have way too much to do.
The weather is absolutely terrible today.
Often times these uncontrolled thoughts were negative and they would weigh me down and even ruin a perfectly good day. I knew that ideally I wanted to only focus on the moment in front of me and have very few thoughts that distracted me from successfully being able to do that. I also knew that meant I had to really start controlling the types of thoughts I was allowing to run through my mind.
I asked myself a couple of questions:
1. Was I focusing on the thoughts that would remind me of what was really possible and help me take steps forward in the right direction?
Sometimes, but not enough.
2. Was I focusing on thoughts that were doing nothing more than taking up precious space in my mind and ultimately weighing me down?
Yes, way too much.
So, I decided enough was enough and chose to move through the day differently.
I knew it was just a matter of me choosing to be thoughtful and focus on the right things. So, everyday I make a concerted effort to make sure that if I am having a thought, it is the right type of thought. Join me?
Here are some of my favorite thoughts that I focused on over the last couple of weeks and shared on the Facebook Possibility of Today Page.
5 Simple But Powerful Messages You Want to Keep of Mind Today (Part #2)
1. ”All that “Believe in Yourself” stuff actually works and can absolutely change your life.”
This is a great image created by Happiness In Your Life.
2. “Every experience has shaped you, strengthened you, and set you up to take advantage of the future in a new and improved way.”
This is a great image created by Live Life Happy
3. ”It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop” – Confucius
4. “We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have the power to make our dreams come true, as long as we keep believing.” – Louisa May Alcott
5. “Tell the negative committee that meets in your head to sit down and shut up.” Ann Bradford
In India I ran across a Sanskrit phrase: “Drishti Shristi”. “The world is as you see it.” On a very profound level and in simple practical terms, I find this to be true. Thank you for such a good reminder!
Superb Sibyl!!
Hi Sibyl,
“Imagination and fiction make up more than three quarters of our real life.”
― Simone Weil
When it comes to ‘thoughts’ and ‘behavior’ I am reminded of Ken Keysey’s ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’.
One free spirited imaginative individual fighting for the dominion of his *personal* perspective of ‘life’ against one individual, as Simone Weil would of perhaps described as:
“At the very best, a mind enclosed in language is in prison.”
To go a little ‘Further’ I am reminded of all the competing individuals, corporations, governments, social media, religions, military, and yes ‘Think Tanks’ that are very very concerned with an individuals ‘thoughts’.
For our internal perspective and how we choose to ‘filter’ what we see and experience externally…just what is ‘fiction’ and non-fiction?
Yes, in the ‘end’ it does come down to the individual and ones *choice* of ‘thoughts’, and how they may effect ones life.
In an interview towards the end of Keysey’s life he attributed the lack of later creative writing to his burnt brain cells…his choice.
Lets do some math:
I am 61 years old. If God ‘chooses’ to bless this bag of bones that has tempted him much to often with…say…a generous (thank you God) 30 more years.
70,000 thoughts x 365 days = 25,550,000 thoughts per year x 30 years = 766,500,000 – approximately 10,950 brain farts = a total of 766,489,050 actual thoughts (more or less).
And so with true respect for the universe, but not fearful of it, I pray that my last thought in this bag of bones (if so allowed) be:
Well done Rand! See you soon……
Wow… that really is a lot of thoughts you would have Rand:) I think you will definitely get a “Well Done” comment:)
OMG, I love these quotes. I’m adding them to my list to share with my friends right now. My favorite is number 1. This “believing in yourself” does work!
Thanks AJ:) I am so glad you like them. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know.
Right now I’m involved in a horrible family situation and crisis at my job. However I know I must support my 17 year old girl cousin because her own mother has rejected, abandoned and neglected her. Also I hang onto this job and try to ignore other abusive situations because I have a brother with autism so I need a paycheck in order to survive. At this moment I’ve put some of my dreams to the side. This young girl needs encouragement and support. I had my chance at life now she must have hers. I still have dreams and goals but I know that it will be years before they can be implemented. Right now I’m dealing with the practical side of life. However I do look forward to retirement in ten years because then I will be able to do the things in life I want to do instead of what I have to do.
Hi DeBorah: Thanks for the message and for dropping by. I remember seeing your name on Twitter and I am so glad you stopped by the website:) It sounds like you have a lot of challenges you are working through. I know that it is not always easy, but it sounds like you have the right attitude about it and doing the best you can. Sometimes I think it is all about accepting the challenges that come your way and working through them to your best ability. In terms of your dreams, I understand that you have a lot you feel you need to focus on right now. There was a time where I put my dreams on hold too. I think though that one thing that really helped me was to handle all that I could during the day and also try to lean in the direction of my dreams. I knew I couldn’t take on more than I could handle, but even if I was only able to focus on my dreams for 5 minutes a day, I tried to do it. It was my little treat to me at the end of the day. Maybe it would be something you would like to try as well. It just helps you make sure that you don’t forget to focus on yourself some of the time and the things you really want:) Thanks again for the message.
Sibyl, Seeing my cousin/niece, (I use the terms interchangeably) fulfill her dreams has become my dream. My niece was in an unstable situation. Her mother mistreated her and was emotionally abusive to her. She could not take it any more so elected to live with me. My niece mother has been off and on drugs for years and goes from man to man. This is a bad environment for a child. Since she is now 17 and will be 18 in October she can make her own decisions. Actually I’ve been taking care of my niece periodically for years due to the mother’s substance abuse problems. I never married nor was I able to have children so having her in my home is a dream come true. She is a good girl, very intelligent, who tries very hard and is obedient. She hopes to be a fashion designer/artist/museum curator. Girls deserve opportunities. Fortunately I grew up in a stable home with two married parents. I’ve served in the U.S. Army and received an Honorable Discharge, earned my college degree and accomplished many other things. Now it’s my niece’s turn to shine.
Hi Deborah: Thanks so much for the comment. I love that you have appreciated and enjoyed watching your niece’s dream come true. I am sure it is great to see her do so well and I am glad she is shining:) Thanks for the comment and for dropping by.