Negative thoughts. We all have them or does everyone? Maybe just me? We all deal with them or at least try to, and we all suffer from them yeah I suppose if you’re that depressed…
Real twalk: Negative thinking is not so absurd! Duh! We all have multiple streams of thought in one pattern of neural connectedness, and sure, some of these are not-so-great and not-so-conducive to the success of what you’re trying to achieve. So what can you do?
EASY FIX COMIN RIIIIIIIIGHT UP!
Okay, you’re hanging with your friends, a cute guy walks up to you and makes eye contact with you. Gasp! Potential! Alas, he starts chatting with your friend…
Your mind: Yeah he’s hitting on her- the pretty one of us. But aren’t I pretty too? Aren’t I worthy of his attention? I guess I’m the ugly one, the ugly and overweight one. I’ll never be able to open up to a guy since they’re always not hitting on me, but my pretty friends surrounding me…
Blech! And yet… relevant. This is just one example of many that we all may face a few times in our lives. What to do about this reaction? It sounds silly hearing it as one string of depressed banter, but this monologue goes on for each of us in our own words and through our own perceptions.
When I practiced kendo and a new girl who I deemed, “better than me” at kendo came to the dojo or a tournament, my honestly and embarrassingly, immediate reaction was this flame of jealousy that ignited within my heart. I soon learned that this is a temporary feeling, and even if it may come involuntarily, I have the ability to add gasoline or water to this fire. I chose to douse it in water. I would purposefully go over to the girl and compliment her on her way awesome kendo abilities. This proved to be WAY more beneficial for my psyche and my kendo, and consequently my appearance in the dojo by the high-ranking senseis.
Keep in mind, our perceptions are not the honest truth. Sometimes, some of us, can and do perceive a situation and get a good read of people, but in this teleplay, the perception is clouded by doubt, and very low esteem of oneself.
So here’s your easy fix:
1. Immediately say something GOOD about yourself, your situation, your uniqueness. (After your reel of poopoo talk runs out.)
2. Reaffirm this in your heart (remember it’s all your perception, so if you perceive something great, welp, yep.)
3. Continue saying good things toward your self. Fake it till you make it, on the inside. Say realistic things. Not like, “I am a beautiful princess.” A sense of cray cray entitlement may follow- don’t poison your awesome self! Just encourage yourself!
Repeat. Especially Step 1. Hey try this even BEFORE any negative talk. PROACTIVE actions baby!!!
What is your unique talent? The world is a system of checks and balances and it all evens out, so what is your thing no one else has?
