Everyone experiences negative emotions at one time or another. For some, those emotions are temporary and they can clear them almost as quickly as they came up. For others of us, though, negative emotions are a part of our habitual thinking patterns.
When you take the time to release negative emotions, you've done yourself a huge favor. But the work doesn't end there.
If you've ever wondered why you just can't seem to switch out of pessimistic thinking, did you ever think it could be because your thought processes are actually attributed to unhealthy subconscious habit patterns?
That's right. About 80% the choices we make daily aren't based on free choice. They're based on previously programmed experiences.
Think of your brain as a series of computer programs. Most of them are programmed in place during our childhoods- like the ones that tell us what is true about relationships, work ethic, morals and spiritual beliefs. These programs become the basis for our actions. Our actions feed our thoughts. Our thoughts are directly related to our emotions. So on and so forth. Can you see how this all comes together?
If you identify a habit pattern in your life that is no longer serving you, and you're ready to change- there are 2 different roads to take. The first involves much time and painstaking attention. Let's say that a person's habit is always having pessimistic thoughts. Every time someone says something positive, this person always has an equally negative counter thought in their mind. They never allow themselves to dream or hope too big. And, they don't call themselves pessimists- they are realists.
If this person was ready to change, and wanted to take the first road, here is what I would recommend they do: every time a negative thought entered their mind- they'd think the exact opposite of it. They would write out their want/wish list and practice small random acts of kindness (like putting money in a parking meter that isn't theirs, or buying the person behind them at the deli a cup of coffee). It might be weeks, or even months, of this constant attention until they'd begin to notice a long-lasting change in their thoughts.
If this same person wanted to accomplish that same outcome in half the time, I would recommend they try subconscious meditations (just like the ones I use with many of my clients). They are relatively simple, easy to remember, and very effective.
Whichever road you choose to take- just remember that no matter what your habit is or how long you've had it... you can always change it. It's never too late. With intention, and just a little time and persistence you can begin feeling like a whole new person-- right away! :)
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