Saturday, August 1, 2015

self talk

We have many thousand thoughts per day - a big shift for me came when I started listening to the these thoughts. What was I telling myself?  Was it true?  Was I being negative more of the time? 
I like to observe my thoughts - I visualize a little psychiatrist on my shoulder (not the good or bad angel/devil).  I chose that because a big challenge for me is not judging my thoughts or feelings.  I believe the psychiatrist version of myself isn't labeling...."good thought"  or "you are incorrect".  Rather, just observing ....and making notes of course!!
By not labeling or judging, I am not criticizing my thinking or feelings.  And then I choose whether that thought is helpful.  If a thought is untrue, I gently remind myself of that.  And then bring myself back to the present.
a quote from my daily mindful email by Padraig O'Morain:
"Notice the distinction between talking to yourself ("Here's what I should have said," "How dare they," "I'm such an idiot") and awareness. Awareness doesn't make speeches: it's quiet. Try to spend more time in quiet awareness and less time talking to yourself".

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