Have you ever stopped to listen to the thoughts in your head? Most of us have not. We go about our day thinking about school, family, friends, and a bunch of other stuff. But, what if I told you that just being aware of your thoughts could change your whole life? Sounds simple right? And it is also incredibly profound. In this blog, we will discover what thoughts are, why they are important, and how listening to them can make us feel better, perform better, and live a happier life.
Read more: Istighfaar’s Role in Healing the Mind
YOUR PERCEPTION
Thoughts are the words and pictures that come into our minds all the time. Some thoughts are good like I can do this, or today will be a good day. Others are not so good, like I’m not smart, or Nobody likes me.
We have thousands of thoughts daily. Some are useful, and others are not. But this is the essential thing: we are not our thoughts. Simply because we think something doesn’t mean it’s true.
HOW DO THOUGHTS AFFECT OUR LIVES?
Our thoughts influence our feelings. If you think to yourself, I am going to fail this test, you may feel frightened, sad, or anxious. If you think, I worked hard and I will do my best, you may feel more calm and confident. Thinking also influences what we do. If you think you can’t do something, you won’t even try. Conversely, if you believe you can learn and grow, you will be more likely to keep trying, regardless of the hardship.
THE MAGIC OF AWARENESS
Most individuals never pay attention to their thoughts. They respond to them. But when you become aware of your thoughts, you set yourself on the path to alter them. Becoming aware of your thoughts is similar to being a watcher or an observer. You are not judging the thought or resisting it. You are simply saying, “Oh, interesting thought.” This tiny step can have a huge impact. When you catch yourself with a negative thought, you don’t have to believe it. You can say to yourself, “Is this thought true? Is it helpful? What else might I think?
Examples in Everyday Life
Let’s take some easy examples and see how it works.
Example 1: The Test
You are sitting for a test. Suddenly, a thought arises in your mind: I’m going to fail.
If you don’t catch this thought, you might get afraid and quit. But if you catch the thought, you can pause and think: Wait, I studied. I know this. I can do my best. Now your mood shifts. You feel a bit more at ease and confident. You sit for the test in a better state of mind.
Example 2:A Friend Doesn’t Say Hello
You pass a friend in the hallway but they don’t greet you. The thought that surfaces is: They must be upset with me.
If you think this thought, you might also feel hurt or angry. But when you notice the thought, you can ask yourself: Perhaps they did not see me. Perhaps they were engaged. You don’t feel as bad anymore. You might even go and speak with your friend later and discover everything is okay.
EXAMPLE 3: MAKING A MISTAKE:
You accidentally drop a glass. A thought screams I’m so stupid.
But you catch it and tell yourself, No, I just did something wrong. Everyone does that. It’s okay. Your emotions shift from embarrassment to sympathy. You become better and nicer to yourself.
How to Start Noticing Your Thoughts
You don’t have to get all fancy. Just simply pay attention to your mind a few times a day.
Here are some simple ways to get started:
- STOP and QUESTION:
When you catch a big feeling like anger, fear, or sadness, pause for a moment and ask yourself, what am I thinking right now? - Write It Down
Carry a pocket notebook with you. If you become aware of a strong or persistent thought, put it down on paper. Later, you can read it and ask yourself, Is this useful? Can I look at this another way? - Keep a Thought Journal
Every day, put three bad thoughts you had into writing and attempt to shift them into more positive ones. For instance:
Negative: I’m terrible at math.
Positive: Math is difficult, but I can improve through practice.
- Speak to Yourself Politely
Be kind to yourself. If you would not express a thought to another person, do not express it to yourself. Replace I’m not good enough with I am trying my best, and that is alright.
The Rewards of Awareness of Thoughts
As you become more aware of your thoughts, you will experience many improvements:
- Less Stress
You won’t get trapped in bad thinking so quickly. You’ll be more master of your mind. - Improved Mood
Positive and useful thoughts give rise to good feelings. You can feel more cheerful, relaxed, and confident. - Better Relationships
You will cease making unkind assumptions about people. This makes you speak and behave more gently. - Greater Success
When you trust yourself, you work harder and do not quit so easily. This makes you better at school and in life.
Final Thoughts
Your mind is strong, but eventually, you are stronger than your mind. By simply observing, you can shift the way you feel, behave, and live.
It doesn’t require much effort or time to begin. Simply observe a few times each day.
You should ask yourself what you are currently thinking about. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether the thought is supporting you or working against you.
If it is working against you, you can simply let it go or trade it for a better thought. Over time, you will, in essence, train your mind to be more compassionate and supportive. So the next time a thought enters your mind, do not simply accept it to be true stop and pay attention to it. Make a choice about how you would like to respond to it, and it could change everything.
