The Opportunity of Negative Thinking...

Usually, when a negative thought arises, we follow that thread, enable it, and it often takes us into a rumination that increases the negative thought or supports it in some way. We then go about trying to fix things in that negative space. More, we justify the negativity as something that is real, that causes us pain and disappointment, we blame it, and the cycle continues. All pretty standard practice…

I had a gorgeous spontaneous experience recently that reminded me there is another way…a very empowering way. I found myself thinking about a couple of different events happening in my life that were causing frustration in my mind. I was very aware of how draining this kind of thought process was to my whole system, and I immediately moved my attention to gratitude, imagination, my connection with the universe, breathing deeply into that vast open space that only wants to shower me with goodness, and felt an entire shift within me and within my mind. It was quite extraordinary and powerful, and it lasted. I recognized that it was this negative thinking that was a positive trigger for me, to move my awareness to a different place that was vastly more affirming and freeing. So, rather than judging the negative thinking, I was able to view it as a wake up call to claim the space that felt much more empowering, and this time at an exalted level. I felt very connected with the universal flow that is holding nothing back from me, except as I pretend it does in my mind. And here’s the thing… Most of our negative thinking involves some buried belief that someone or something actually has an agenda to limit us, that there is an intentional ‘againstness.’ And we often think, “if only…” were happening instead, things would be much better. The wise person knows this is perception only and not the truth. As Rev. Michael Beckwith urges, “Stop arguing for your limitations.”