Thoughts are like a nosy neighbor.
Sometimes they catch you outside the house and start asking you annoying questions.
That’s life.
We can’t control chance encounters with people or what they will ask. We can, however, control how we react.
We can get frustrated and react harshly, or use clever strategies to scoot around unwanted questions.
Thoughts are no different.
Duck and dodge unpleasant thoughts with these 5 easy tactics:
1. “Stare yourself in the eyes” mirror work affirmations
Catch yourself being self-critical?
Find a mirror asap and stare deep into your eyes until you see the sparkle of your soul.
Release all that pent-up emotion and suppressed energy into the stare.
Now, with complete awareness, confidence, and presence, express reality.
“All is well in my world”
“I stand in truth and live in joy”
“I forgive myself, and choose to love myself”
2. This sucks, but…
If something shitty happens to you or someone says something shitty to you it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole of rumination:
“What would have had to change for me not to end up in this situation?”
Look.
Everything happens for a reason. There are no negative or positive experiences. Luck doesn’t exist. And neither does chance.
There’s only opportunity for growth.
“This sucks, but I know it happened to make me stronger…more patient…more loving…more accepting…more at peace.
3. “How can I be of service?”
“I, I, I, I, ME, ME, ME, ME”
Stop thinking about yourself for a second.
Re-focus your mental capacities on the other beautiful life forms of this planet.
Ask yourself what you can do, say, or think that’ll brighten someone or something’s day.
Smile and greet a stranger.
Open a door for an old lady.
Feed a homeless dog.
Pray for a sick friend.
After all, what goes around comes around.
4. Express gratitude
Raise your vibration and change your thought pattern with gratitude.
Conscious expressions of gratitude before certain actions or events will instill this frame of mind as a habit.
After you wake up in the morning give thanks.
Before you sleep at night think of three things you’re grateful for and express them to the universe.
Before you eat a meal take a few breaths of appreciation.
After a workout thank God for the necessary physical strength.
5. The “I love you” game
Is it difficult for you to see the good in people? Are you holding onto an experience that caused you to mistrust? Do you find yourself criticizing people you don’t even know?
If yes, the “I love you” game is for you!
Next time you’re walking down the street mentally vibrate “I love you” towards every stranger that passes.
“And I love him” “And I love her” and “I love everybody”.
This simple mental exercise would pour a loving energy into the heart of even the most resentful, hardened individual.
Give it a try! What do you have to lose?