Negative Thoughts

Negativity is 100 percent inevitable in life. There is no way around it, only through it. You know what is inevitable to some extent? Our negative thoughts. Pick any negative memory or feeling you keep replaying and reminiscing over in your head. Now imagine them as concrete blocks or bricks that you are holding in your arms. It makes your arms sore, makes you tired and slow. It wears you out, and takes your energy for the day. That is what our negative thoughts do to us. Our negative thoughts are unwanted pests that our mind creates to slow us down and hinder us. Close your eyes and visualize putting your concrete blocks down, and walking away from them, not looking back. For me, I imagine the Crucifix and leaving my concrete blocks at the feet of Jesus on the Cross. It is in our best interest to let go of our negative thoughts, whether it be fear, or worry, or anything in-between. It is best for us to let go of the negativity in our thoughts, because it dictates our life. If we let negativity control our minds, it controls our life.

I struggle immensely with my negative thoughts, but this visualization technique always comes in handy. My goal is to never let negativity win. Of course, I am not perfect, and I have my moments, as does everyone, but negativity will never have the last word. For negativity to have the last word is letting negativity become more important than joy. There is joy after conquering negative thoughts. The joy of having freedom from the negativity that binds you is exceptionally freeing.

We must approach our negative thoughts without fear of failing. If we go into addressing our negative thoughts with confidence, we are more likely to conquer them. Do not get me wrong, it is not an easy task. It requires everyday effort and determination. Even if the outcome is not what you initially wanted, it matters how hard you try. The conscious effort of overcoming your negative thoughts is what matters. To stumble is to know that you are trying, because if you were not trying then there would be nothing to stumble over. So put effort and stumble and stumble again, this makes you human. Effort will not go unnoticed when it comes to overcoming negative thoughts. Be proud of how hard you are. Effort is essential.

When I look back on life, I want to be able to see how I lived without putting limitations on myself. I want to look back on my life and see positivity and self-love. I think that is what a lot of us want, and it is possible. Not easy, but possible. Every time a negative thought comes to us, we need to put the effort in to drop the negative thought and not pick it up again. To pick it up again is to create an unhealthy cycle of negativity in your mind that is not beneficial. It is challenging to not give in to picking up negative thoughts repeatedly. I am constantly going back and forth between my negative thoughts, but every day I know that they will not win if I do not let them win. I continue to remind myself on a regular basis that my negative thoughts do not define me, they are not what I am. Let us face it, we only have one life. I do not want to spend my one life wishing I was something I am not, or being so held back by the negative that I cannot enjoy the positive right in front of me, or the joy that is yet to come.