Just A Thought....

​The Power of Thought? Well, the very title of the piece started me thinking. In fact, I thought about it for days. A thought can be many things - positive, negative, inspiring, preventative, cognitive, reactive, meditative, original or not, motivational, damaging and even thoughtless- if that thought is put into action or spoken without consideration. The adjectives seem endless. And thoughts have consequences.

---

I thought (ha ha,) it would be interesting to take a specific idea and look at the thought processes that could occur around that idea. This article seemed to be a good example. I actually volunteered to write this, and my Daddy used to say, “never volunteer “, sound advice perhaps, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. So, Thought Bundle number 1 - enthusiastic, yes I am up for this, what a great subject, yes I can spout something on this. However, as a few days went by, the doubts started to creep in. Thought Bundle number 2 – why did I say I would do this, I don’t know what I am talking about, I’ve got too much on already, I need an extension! A few more days went by and then we had Thought Bundle number 3 – of course you can write something about this, people will make of it what they will, it’ s good to explore such a vast subject and perhaps come out with an interesting or not view point. And then finally, Thought Bundle number 4 – you’d best get down and write something, just do your best and if the boss doesn’t care for it then that’s ok as long as you put in your best effort.

So standing back from all that, I can see that I could have made excuses and not done anything and then felt bad about it and might have spent time justifying my actions. So how powerful was thought in all this?

It seems that our everyday existence is fuelled by thought. We resist doing things because the very thought of doing something scary or distasteful is worse than the actual doing of the deed. An example comes to mind of someone who went to a monastery and was so hungry that they fainted during a particularly long meditation. This person realised what was about to happen and although he felt fearful of what was about to happen, he changed his mindset and embraced the thought of passing out, and after it actually happened and he was recovering, he realised it wasn’t so bad after all. So the fearful reactive thought processes are often disproportionate to actual reality.

Cognitive thoughts can be constructive or destructive. We can be great problem solvers or makers. Thoughts become opinions and everyone is entitled to their own, but we have an alarming tendency to try to impose these on other people because we think we, and only we are right.

Thought becomes very powerful when it morphs into a belief. What we believe forms the very foundation of who we are and gives us sense of self, identity and purpose.

We can choose how we think about something. Recently, I have embarked on a weight loss journey, which is going very well. But I know I can sabotage my own efforts if I allow thoughts that don’t serve me well to have their way.

So next time something is going well, or not so well for you, it may be worth just taking a moment and asking yourself what is going on for you in a particular situation and listening to your own thoughts on the matter. You may be surprised, pleasantly or otherwise, and you will certainly have the power to change things if need be or celebrate just how brilliant you are. Just a thought........

Charlotte Crook