"He is able who thinks he is able" - Buddha

One way to become aware of your thoughts is to pay attention to the words you use. Are you a "yeah, but" person - always finding an excuse, a way out, or immediately blocking a new idea or way of doing things?

Do you use these weak words?

I'm supposed to, I should, I need to
I can't
They think, they say
It's too difficult or hard, or a problem
But, or yeah, but

Why not use these EMPOWERING words instead?

I choose to, I want to, I decided to
I can, I will
I think, I say (who are they anyway?)
It's a challenge
And, yet, ok, or possibly

Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you're a winner or think you're a loser, you're right." What do you think? - Winner or Loser?

Are you full of doubt and fear? Do you beat yourself up? Do you place blame, or complain throughout the day? Notice if you talk about your successes and the great day you are having or if you "awfulize". OK, I know you won't find this word in the dictionary but, don't you just love it! Examples of awfulizing are: "It'll probably be another boring date", "I'll bet I'm going to get the flu that's going around", or "I just know I'm not going to get the job, or pass the test, or win the game." This whiny, doom and gloom chatter (often referred to as the Gremlin within) can easily become a habit and set you up for failure.

If you find that you focus on the negative, I guarantee you won't disappoint yourself! Let me tell you about a client of mine who came to me feeling overwhelmed and very ill. She was taking several medications for various physical ailments and was getting sicker by the day. Why was this happening? As she opened her prescriptions and read the list of side effects, she would say to herself, "Oh, I know I'm going to get these side effects (nausea, headaches, etc.) - I always do." She had claimed the side effects as her own! Her body responded as she believed it would and she experienced many of the side effects and even more emotional and physical pain.

I first taught her EFT which eased her anxiety and helped her sleep and then, through Hypnosis and Imagery, opened her to the world of positive thought and images. And even though she experienced some immediate relief, she thought I was "kookie" when I suggested that every time she took a pill she say, "This medicine is helping me and is doing exactly what it's meant to do and nothing more." Within a few weeks of feeding herself these new positive beliefs while taking her medication, the negative side effects started to subside. (I wasn't "kookie" anymore!) She then realized what an important role her thoughts and beliefs played in her physical reactions and well-being. As a result, she's stronger, better able to cope with her illnesses, and feels an empowering sense of control over her life.

The first step in taking control of your life and creating a new reality is becoming aware of your thoughts, words, and feelings.
Remember to keep watch over your thoughts because - every Thought Matters .

Good Thoughts,
MaryLou

© 2004 Thought Matters, MaryLou Kenworthy