Sometimes reaching for satisfaction… is hard to do. I find that sometimes my mind just so much wants to indulge in negative thinking, focusing on things I do not want.
This happened tonight when I was out at the cafe. Instead of being satisfied and enjoying myself like I often do, I found myself distracted by frustration. When I finally became present, about two hours after getting there there, I noticed myself laughing out loud for the first time. Prior to that moment, I had been dissatisfied, tense, even checked out. Not present. And looking at my own thought process, I am not surprised! My thoughts were dissatisfied thoughts, old garbage that isn’t really me, and didn’t serve me. Yet while it was happening, I wasn’t aware of it. It just sort of took over my brain space, at least to the point where I wasn’t relaxed or content.
I’m calling myself out on this right now because I realize how unnecessary that was. I am glad that I see this now: I truly have the power to focus on satisfying thoughts. I didn’t need to go there.
Here is a sampling of the kinds of unsatisfying thoughts that, unfortunately, have in the past squatted in my brain rent-free:
- “I can’t have what I want.”
- “It’s too hard.”
- “Nothing ever works out.”
- “Life sucks.”
I’m a little bit embarrassed admitting that I ever entertain these thoughts, but sometimes, without even realizing it, they have crept up on me. And suddenly there they are, like unwanted house guests hanging out in my jacuzzi. Despite the nastiness of these types of thoughts, I am inspired by the idea that awareness can always make a difference. And while these types of negative thoughts may not always go away, I can learn to ignore them, or not take them seriously.
It is all about seeing them for what they are. Tonight it took a couple of hours to see what was going on. During that time, I entertained some version of the thoughts above. What if, instead, I had thought the following much more pleasant thoughts?
- Everything is always working out for me.
- Everything is perfect as it is.
- I am so grateful for this great adventure called my life.
- I am continually surprised and amazed.
What makes the first list of thoughts any more true than the second? Only an opinion. The second list is inspiring, is positive, is hopeful. It has a future that leads to something good. It energizes, it allows optimism. I like that much more!
Okay, now I would like to allow “My Higher Self” to say a few words on the subject:
Chris, it is great that you are catching these types of thoughts. No, they are not always easy to see. They can sneak up on you, and suddenly they feel so real, because of how much you have gotten in the habit of letting them “have their way with you.” Yet you are changing your habits. You are seeing new possibilities. You are experiencing that you can choose your focus, and that you get to be satisfied. And that your own power of focus is greater than any old, past-based habit. After all, remember that these negative thoughts weren’t always in your head. They had a start date. They shall have an end date. When new, more powerful positive thoughts will take over. There is a sort of changing of the guard going on. You are feeling it. Just because there are times when they may catch you by surprise still doesn’t mean that it is not happening. Keep it up!
Thank you, I appreciate that.
In order to become Masters of Satisfaction, sometimes we will have to wade through our own mental sludge, the crafty negative thoughts that at first we may not even recognize for what they are. But the power of awareness is so great, that it is only a matter of time before our higher thoughts will prevail!