I’ve been reading some books in preparation for the next level of Yoga teacher training. That sparked my thoughts on Monday. Even though the writer has a Ph.D. in psychology, he made some points that started me thinking.
Sometimes people and/or events–or maybe just your childhood–cause you to dwell on negative thoughts. These thoughts extinguish your energy. Move you toward depression (not the clinical type, although that’s a possibility). Make you not fun to be around–that is, unless you’re a geek like me and you’re never the life of the party.
This started me thinking about living through the 80s. A similar time to now. Economy was rocky. Jobs sometimes hard to find. Even worse when the President of the company you work for makes the board of the bank to whom you owe millions mad and they force a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I worked for four companies in the 80s that closed. Believe me, I know the signs of impending doom in business!
Back then, in order to try to remain stable in the face of all the challenges, I adopted a few spiritual practices which continue to work. You make your mind focus on positive things. Your thoughts will dwell where you let them. You can choose to think negative thoughts. Or you can choose to focus on positive ones.
One good place to start is with gratitude. What are you grateful for? Life? Family? A friend? Health? Surely there is something. Make it a regular practice–a discipline–every day to put your mind on one of these.
Now, obviously, I’m writing to “normal” people. I have no training to help people who are clinically depressed. Or those who are clinically bi-polar. I’m told there are legal drugs to help that along with counseling. If you think you can’t get out of your depressed state, or if your erratic mood swings are so radical that they affect all those around you, see a professional.
For the rest of us, try this practice. I found it a useful practice in those moments just before falling asleep when those thoughts really seem to invade. Meditating on the fruits of gratitude can lead to some of the best sleep you’ll ever get.
Faith Venture 
June 28, 2012 at 9:44 pm |
Sounds like a great plan. And everyone may have their own way of finding those positive thoughts prior to falling asleep. Reading an inspiring book might be one way, or listening to positive affirmations. Nice article. Thank you.