NOTHING I'VE EVER LEARNED OR SAID IS AS
IMPORTANT AS KNOWING THAT THE
CONSTANT CHATTER IN YOUR HEAD HAS ONLY
THE POWER YOU CHOOSE TO GIVE IT.
LEARNING NOT TO LET YOUR THOUGHTS BE A
RUNAWAY TRAIN LEADING YOUR LIFE OFF TRACK IS
THE KEY TO A MASTERFUL EXISTENCE THAT'S
PERPETUALLY GETTING BETTER.
(Oprah Winfrey)
Since I let unproductive worrying and negative thoughts derail me far more often than I'd like to admit, this quote strikes incredibly close to home. Doubt and fear and guilt snake their way into my positive thoughts, flaying my focus with mealy mouthed whining, insidious darkness, manipulative finger pointing.
Some days, I give in. I give up my power. I let that constant chatter beat me.
But.
There are days when I don't give in. There are days when I am the victor. And, as time goes on, there are more and more of those good days.
Let's stay on track as much as possible. Let's make sure we're giving our power to the thoughts that will make us the best we can be.
I try not to do this, usually successfully, but there are some notable exceptions... I go through difficult conversations I'd like to have in my head over and over, even knowing that having them could never be productive (have a work situation like that right now) and I spend too much time "redoing" conversations that didn't go like I'd like, because of course I am much more coherent several hours later than in the moment...
ReplyDeleteOh, Hart, I have those "imaginary conversations" too! They're pretty much a waste of time and energy, although there is a part of me that thinks they work - to some degree - in a planning/prepping kind of way.
DeleteThis is a wonderful quote, and good for me to read today as I had some bad news I keep mulling over. So much of what makes us happy or sad happens inside our heads!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you've had bad news, Karen. Hang in there!
DeleteSometimes it's hard, but we have to try to fight off those negative thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSo, so hard. Sigh.
DeleteI'm much better about turning my brain off now, but that comes from lots of life experience. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liza. I just wish it hadn't taken me this long to get to this point. I wish I had done better, earlier.
DeleteI let my negative thoughts get the better of me, too. I really need to learn not to do that.
ReplyDeleteSeems like there's a lot of us - too many! - out there.
DeleteThat is so true! We don't realize how much power our thoughts have over us. Here's to positive thoughts!
ReplyDeleteWhen I sit down and think about how powerful our thoughts really are, how much power we really do have over our emotions, circumstances, reactions etc, it blows my mind.
DeleteI think the best thing is recognizing that we're letting negative thoughts intrude and then we can set them aside.
ReplyDeleteRecognizing those negative thoughts and how much they're intruding is a huge part of the battle.
DeleteOur thoughts really can be our worst enemy. Love Oprah. Grew up under her tv wing.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice if our thoughts could be our best friends instead? And I grew up under Oprah's TV wing, too. :)
DeleteIf you know you're doing it, that's half the battle. Because if you don't know, that's when you're sunk. Or rather, derailed.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Alex!
DeleteGood advice - staying on track and ignoring the chatter. I wish you strength to push aside the chatter and have more ignore days than beaten days!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Loni! I really appreciate that. :)
Deletemost of the times we lose control aren't worth it anyway. self-control is strength. and as we get older, we realize it more. save your words to spread good - and that's what you do here at your blog!! thanks for the encouragement =)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Tara! And you're right about the self-control. There have been times when I wanted to react and not respond but, to this day, I'm glad I held back. :)
DeleteI think we all listen to those negative voices sometimes - but having the strength to push them away is an important skill.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on those muscles! :)
DeleteGood decision.
ReplyDeleteI think so. :)
DeleteAnd each positive day is a triumph and a victory, right?
ReplyDeleteRight! :)
DeleteI love Oprah—she always has such insightful words to live by. Thanks for sharing and good luck staying with those positive thoughts!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! And thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteI am a firm believer that we DO have control over our thoughts! Complete control. We choose what to focus on :)
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts often feel like a runaway train - I'm getting better at getting them back on a good track, going in a good direction. :)
DeleteHits close to home for me as well. The runaway train of negative thoughts is my constant companion!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of us out here, Julie. But I know we can do better, be better! :)
DeleteWell, it's Thursday and I'm only now getting to Motivational Monday! I should have read this earlier - would have saved a week of angst. This is a great quote and I am posting it on my wall above my computer! Thank you and thanks to Oprah.
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never, right? :) So glad it works for you.
Delete