Thoughts You Think A Lot

What do you believe? What thoughts do you think a lot?

I once heard a definition of belief that has stuck with me and has been top of mind recently. I believe it came from Esther Hicks (inspirational author & speaker).

A belief is a thought you think a lot.

What do you believe? What thoughts do you think a lot?

Are the thoughts you think a lot, thoughts of stress, thoughts of lack, thoughts of failure or thoughts of “I can’t”?

• “I have too much to do today. I’ll never get it all done.”
• “Why can’t it be spring? I am so miserable in the dark and cold of winter.”
• “Why even try for that promotion? I’ll just be looked over anyway.”
• “Same sh!*&. Different day.”
• “No matter what I do, I can’t lose those extra pounds.”

I am guessing at least one of those sounds familiar. I know that at one time or another I have gotten stuck thinking on several of these. For example, “Same sh!*&. Different day.” It started off as a joking comment with co-workers about the repetitive nature of some of our work. As we continued to repeat the “joke”, that is “to think the thought a lot”, I saw more evidence of the statement. As I saw more evidence, I repeated the statement more, felt justified in its validity and found myself believing that it was normal. Ugh! I’ve been there! No fun!

The cool thing is that if a belief is a thought you think a lot, the way to change a belief is to change your thought. And the process for changing thought is simple…repeat a different thought a lot!

The beautiful thing about our thoughts is that we have full control over the thoughts we choose. I am not trying to deny that there are many outside influences that make us think we don’t have the power to choose, but we ALWAYS have the freedom to think whatever we want to think. You always have the ability to reach for a better feeling thought!

What is your first thought in the morning?

I recently observed that my first thought upon waking was of the burden of my to do list. This was reinforced when I reached for my phone and looked at my calendar and then my email as I made my way down to the coffee maker. With coffee in hand, I would rush into the day, scrambling to get as much done, in as little time as possible. Back to back meetings, book-ended by making sure the dog was walked, the children got to school, meals were made, emails answered, dishes were done, bills were paid…on and on and on! My thought was filled with the mantra of how much I had to do, which led to the belief that I would always be buried in my to do list. The belief caused a feeling of stress and anxiety over my inability to accomplish all that was demanded of me.

But if a belief is a thought you think a lot, what if I changed my mantra?

I decided to replace the phone on my bedside table with a card that reminds me “I am so happy and grateful for this beautiful new day! I am so happy and grateful for the gift of being, doing, sharing and learning in the hours ahead. I am so happy and grateful for the opportunity to experience all this day has to offer today.” I repeat this gratitude, and add to it, as I make my way down to the coffee maker. With coffee in hand, I am so happy and grateful for that beautiful first sip, the warmth of the coffee mug in my hand, the colorful sunrise, and the refreshment of a walk with my dog around the neighborhood. Each meeting I run is an opportunity to connect with friends and co-workers. Making dinner is a way to express love and care with my family. A bill is a reminder of the beautiful home I have built with my partner. My mantra is now one of gratitude and eagerness for all I get to experience in the day. I am able to complete my priority activities in a calm and joyful manner! What a refreshing and motivating change!

What thoughts do you think a lot? How do those thoughts affect your feelings, actions or results? Is there a better thought that could improve your feelings, actions or results? Try it! Write down that better feeling thought. Read it often, repeat it often, think the thought a lot! See what happens.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experience. And as always, please reach out if you have any questions or need inspiration or help. We all need support! This is an open offer to reach out for it!