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Daily Question, August 16

What are some of my patterns of thinking? How might they change to better support the vision I have for the world?

  • Pavithra

    I think extensively when I am upset. My train of thoughts get negative and all my energy is channelised into thinking things that make me feel worse. Through mindfulness, I want to reach a place where I am just able to observe my thoughts and not make judgements. I support the idea of a non judgemental and free world where people can just be.

  • Antoinette

    Be the change I want to see in the world.
    Be love.

  • devy

    Focus on what I can control and limiting the doom and gloom media. Yes acknowledge and do my part to help. Encourage and love and hopefully love will spread more amongst us.

  • Malag

    Some time in the future I’ll be doing something of benefit to the world. The future is always in the future. I could explore small things now that can be immediately helpful.

  • eve p.

    Sometimes in my mind, I stick to unpleasant things, past events or fears for example, which come to my mind intensely and I would like to change their repeating on and on, making me feel so bad. They might change if I allow to focus on the pleasant instead and on joy instead of fear and so encouraging myself and others. It would open space and unleash energy bound.

  • Dusty Su

    At times, I’m eccentric, imposing, opinionated, a mad bundle of energy, and lack social cues. When I realize this, I’m tempted to be discouraged and withdraw. Such a black and white mindset serves no one. I’m fighting to see these traits as potential gifts. If I repurpose them through love’s filter, they may become tools to better fight for those who are vulnerable. They may humble me and connect me to others who struggle with similar issues.

  • Brenda

    Patterns in my thinking:
    -that I am alone with life’s challenges
    -there are not enough kind individuals in the world
    -allowing injustice to cloud my sympathy
    I can change these to allow myself to open up to others and conscientiously look for the positive in my day to day life . Friends and acquaintances offered support and advice when I finally shared some of my burden. Taking time to care for my mental health has made a drastic difference in emotional burnout.

  • Don Jones

    From: Surfing the bitter memories of the past on the waves of negative emotions in the bay of right/wrong thinking and being dumped in the breakers of autistic fantasy. To: Surfing the Truth on the waves of Love and Gratitude in the bay of Oneness to the beach of Bliss and Joy.

  • Linda
    I am approaching retirement and unfortunately have been drifting into the short timers mindset. (I am an adviser in a college). I had an ah ha moment this morning. . I read a wonderful piece in the Washington Post that reminded me that we can all help from wherever we are right now. A writer shared that he was feeling frustrated at being stuck at home and unable to help others due to Covid. He decided to paint portraits of front line workers in hospitals from photos that he saw in the news, an...

    I am approaching retirement and unfortunately have been drifting into the short timers mindset. (I am an adviser in a college).
    I had an ah ha moment this morning. . I read a wonderful piece in the Washington Post that reminded me that we can all help from wherever we are right now.
    A writer shared that he was feeling frustrated at being stuck at home and unable to help others due to Covid. He decided to paint portraits of front line workers in hospitals from photos that he saw in the news, and send them to them. They are very honest depictions of what they look like at the end of a shift. The subjects have loved them, and now he has many requests for them. He feels he is helping others now.

    I am back on the horse, so to speak, determined to stay involved and focused on my work with students until the end of the year. We can all help from where we are at this time in our lives.

    Read More
  • Melissa

    I need to look more on the bright side more often, quit worrying as much, and when I’m disappointed maybe focus on the good times and things that will happen.
    More prayer times would most likely help too.

  • Hot Sauce
    On the positive side, some of my patterns of thinking are recognizing that my spiritual struggles are opportunities to grow in wisdom when hard questions arise; recognizing that my traumas have also given rise to great opportunities; and knowing that other people's likes or dislikes of me is often more a reflection on them than a reflection on me. These can support the vision I have for the world by reminding me that my spiritual struggles can lead to deep insights that allow me to create the wo...

    On the positive side, some of my patterns of thinking are recognizing that my spiritual struggles are opportunities to grow in wisdom when hard questions arise; recognizing that my traumas have also given rise to great opportunities; and knowing that other people’s likes or dislikes of me is often more a reflection on them than a reflection on me. These can support the vision I have for the world by reminding me that my spiritual struggles can lead to deep insights that allow me to create the world I envision; my past traumas were the first step to entering into the world I envision; and that, in the creation of this new world, other people’s approval or disapproval of my attempts at creating it don’t matter.

    Read More
  • Nancy Walton-House
    Because I am partially disabled, my husband provides a lot of support with activities of daily living like grocery shopping and meal planning. I often fall into the pattern of criticizing my husband’s choice of dinner menus because they are not very healthy. I need to compliment him more often for healthy meals he plans and makes. He deserves my gratitude for his support. I also know that positive reinforcement is much more effective than negative when working on behavior change. If I cha...

    Because I am partially disabled, my husband provides a lot of support with activities of daily living like grocery shopping and meal planning. I often fall into the pattern of criticizing my husband’s choice of dinner menus because they are not very healthy. I need to compliment him more often for healthy meals he plans and makes. He deserves my gratitude for his support. I also know that positive reinforcement is much more effective than negative when working on behavior change. If I change my thinking and communication, we have a much better chance of healthy eating.

    Read More
  • Arleen
    Unfortunately, I have a bad habit of always thinking the worse. I worry about the future, people in my life, and events. No matter how hard I try to stop, I can't seem to stop. There is something I have been trying lately. There is a song by Don Moen called, God Will Make a Way. The words of the song say God will make a way where there is no way. Also, words like in the dessert there will be running water, and by the roadside, he will lead me. I am hoping repeating these words will eventu...

    Unfortunately, I have a bad habit of always thinking the worse. I worry about the future, people in my life, and events. No matter how hard I try to stop, I can’t seem to stop. There is something I have been trying lately. There is a song by Don Moen called, God Will Make a Way. The words of the song say God will make a way where there is no way. Also, words like in the dessert there will be running water, and by the roadside, he will lead me. I am hoping repeating these words will eventually allow me to have trust in God. I know that God only wants the best for me, but I worry what his best for me isn’t what I want. His track record is 100%. I have to let go and trust. It’s hard, but going to be worth it!

    Read More
  • kds618
    I have a very negative and anxious pattern of thought. I have always been a people pleaser and have consistently put myself down to satisfy other's needs above my own. This pattern has been very toxic to both my mental and physical health. I have been trying some meditation and journalling to better understand this thought pattern. It has been helping me to get through struggles. I feel that letting things go is becoming easier. I want to use CBT to adapt and change my thought patterns. Better m...

    I have a very negative and anxious pattern of thought. I have always been a people pleaser and have consistently put myself down to satisfy other’s needs above my own. This pattern has been very toxic to both my mental and physical health. I have been trying some meditation and journalling to better understand this thought pattern. It has been helping me to get through struggles. I feel that letting things go is becoming easier. I want to use CBT to adapt and change my thought patterns. Better mental health supports would help many people, especially if it did not cost an arm or leg to get the help.

    Read More
  • KC

    I am very aware of this challenge, and appreciate the question and thoughtful reflections. Praying for insight and way to open on this one.

  • Zenith
    You have hit my vulnerability. I did not know till I stumbled on The Secret and The Magic 3 months ago, how negative and grumpy I was. Since then it has become habit to examine my negative responses to incidents. Abraham Hicks has helped with that immensely. Gratefulness has helped alot but just catching myself when I find myself reacting and choosing different thoughts helps alot. Overall, taking responsibility for my thoughts will draw like minded people to me which in turn help us each to cre...

    You have hit my vulnerability. I did not know till I stumbled on The Secret and The Magic 3 months ago, how negative and grumpy I was. Since then it has become habit to examine my negative responses to incidents. Abraham Hicks has helped with that immensely. Gratefulness has helped alot but just catching myself when I find myself reacting and choosing different thoughts helps alot. Overall, taking responsibility for my thoughts will draw like minded people to me which in turn help us each to create peaceful solutions.

    Read More
  • Michele

    I try to have patterns of positive thinking and when I catch myself being negative I’m getting better at switching/acknowledging the negative and then putting myself back right to being positive. I analyze the shit out of everything. The vision I have for the world, specifically the United States, is a change of government this November! I would love to see the coronavirus eradicated from the world.

    • Antoinette

      Thanks Michele! Let’s hope we have a new change in our government! Time to get vision!

    • kds618

      analyzing things is my greatest struggle as well. Mine stems from growing up with negative adverse experiences at a young age. Acknowledging that part of myself has helped me understand why I do it.

  • Trish
    My most unproductive & destructive pattern of thinking is “making up stories.” Instead of allowing things to unfold I try to figure out why they aren’t unfolding, when it will happen & what it might look like. It’s insane....& it lends itself to anxiety which spills out into the world. I can (& am sometimes successful) change this behavior by stopping the thought & breathing through & reminding myself that everything unfolds in due time. This brings a little bit ...

    My most unproductive & destructive pattern of thinking is “making up stories.” Instead of allowing things to unfold I try to figure out why they aren’t unfolding, when it will happen & what it might look like. It’s insane….& it lends itself to anxiety which spills out into the world. I can (& am sometimes successful) change this behavior by stopping the thought & breathing through & reminding myself that everything unfolds in due time. This brings a little bit of peace to the world.

    Read More
    • Linda

      I totally get this! I do the same. I have to remember to stop and breathe, and use the mantra: “Watch your thoughts.” It helps.

    • Therefore, I found two new companions, Trish and Cathy! Peace to both of you.

    • Cathy

      Oh, Trish- you’ve described me, also! I always say I’m “writing their story in my head.”
      What sounds cute, is not. I become more and more aware that I create judgments and anxiety where there should be none at all.
      I’ve done this habitually since I was a young child- I have memories of being little and writing stories in my head.
      I join you on this journey to remind ourselves to just be. To simply watch without judgment. To realize there really is no story.
      Peace, my friend.

      • Trish

        It’s a blessing/it’s a curse…a great imagination makes for a fun life sometimes, until it tries to destroy…,So, we are kindred spirits. I welcome your strength. Peace?

  • Katrina

    My patterns of thinking tend to be either grandiose or limited. That is, spending too much time thinking about things that are way outside my box, and then/or, thinking why this won’t work and then doing nothing. Pandemic has encouraged a “what can I do today with what I have to make a difference?” kind of thinking that has been helpful. But in a way, I don’t want to give up the grandiose. I just spend too much time there.

  • Howie Geib

    I am far too easily threatened. My own power is unknown to me. I am not talking about culturally bestowed power afforded by chance of birthplace or age or gender, I am talking of the internal power to shift planetary consciousness. You all know what I am talking about I am fairly certain. I forget I possess access to it most of the time actually, and fall into the rhythm of senseless jingles of survival and not the deep tones of the Earth.

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