PROTECT YOUR MIND!

"A well-known author was quoted as saying that 'The average person has 60,000 thoughts per day and of these more than 80% are negative'."

If that is true, then we are truly our own worst enemies. Could you imagine speaking with a friend or relative and 80% of what they said to you was negative? You would want to run the other way- fast! Yet, many of us walk around with a stream of negativity in our own heads. I will not bore you with the many random thoughts that circulate in my head; let's just say sometimes it can get very noisy in there.
So, how do you quiet your mind enough to understand that your thoughts are just that- thoughts. You created them, and you can change them. I have a very good friend, and when I complain that something is difficult, he quickly agrees with me. If I ask him why, he explains that I just told him it was difficult. You decide if something is difficult or if it is within your reach. You decide if you want to get angry at the slow driver in front of you or if you take a deep breath and relax. It all sounds very nice and is easy for me to write about, but how does one begin controlling their thoughts?

I am sharing/ stealing what I have learned from people who have helped me.
1. Slow down and take deep breaths- really do it- Immediately you will find your thoughts slowing down.
2. Give gratitude for what you have. It may sound corny, but your brain can only truly focus on one thing at a time. If you are giving thanks for the fact that there was hot water for your shower, that will be your focus.
3. Think of something that makes you smile- sunshine, sound of happy kids, you choose. Now, SMILE :-)
4. Pay it forward. Give a compliment, help someone, open the door for someone, thank someone, notice someone-

Here's the truth- I sat down to write this, and I was feeling a little overwhelmed by my "to do" list, and as I wrote, I took deep breaths, thought of things that made me smile, and smiled. It worked! Try it the next time your thoughts are swirling.