Feeling Our Way to Positive Thinking

"Our feelings let us know what we're thinking." Marci Shimoff
We think about 60,000 thoughts each day. We couldn't possibly control every thought, and yet we know that positive thinking is more beneficial for us that pessimism. So if thoughts sometimes just happen, but we want the majority of our thoughts to be hopeful and confident, what can we do?

We may not even be aware of some of our thoughts, but we are always aware of how we feel. If we check in with our feelings, we'll be able to tell what our dominant thoughts have been. Are we agitated? Then our thoughts haven't been pleasant! Are we scared? That mean's we've been focusing on scary things. Are we sad? That's the result of thinking about something sad.

Our feelings let us know how our thoughts have been going. If the feeling we register is negative, that means our thought patterns have been negative. And that's when we can begin to say hopeful things to ourselves. We can notice what is good in the moment. We can see the opportunity that is at hand, or we can focus on a positive lesson we've learned. And if that seems too difficult, we can simply choose to smile. Just turn the corners of your mouth up, right now. Don't you already feel a bit lighter than you did only a second ago?

By noticing our feelings, and choosing to focus on what's good when our feelings tell us we've been too focused on what doesn't feel good, we are developing a more positive attitude. Maintaining a positive attitude will help us navigate the difficult times, appreciate the good times, and move in the direction of our Good.

{from Healing Rays: A Progressive, Positive, Practical Weekly Reflection}
Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
Sunshine Cathedral
www.sunshinecathedral.org