“ You have the power and ability to control your thoughts instead of letting them control you .”
the abundant good that surrounds you . Then , when troubling thoughts come , you will be able to shift your thinking from life-draining to life-giving .
Stop Negative Thoughts in Their Tracks
Next time you ’ re staggering under painfilled thoughts of your trauma experience , try this simple but effective exercise . Put a halt to those ruinous musings by consciously saying “ STOP ”— aloud and resolutely — as you envision a big red stop sign rising up to smack you in the face . Sounds silly , but it works ! Then , as you stare at that stop sign , take a deep , soothing breath and assure yourself that these are thoughts — only thoughts — that are null and void . They will no longer hold sway over you . Then , in your mind ’ s eye , make a right turn from that stop sign and . . .
“ You have the power and ability to control your thoughts instead of letting them control you .”
Remember the Good
As you work to rise above trauma , it ’ s important to realize that , somewhere in your past , plenty of good has happened to you . Most likely , many good things . The problem is that , right now , the trauma you ’ ve experienced dominates your thinking — and your life . You ’ ve allowed something bad to beat you down .
You and I can build simple “ monuments ” in our minds to help us stop the negativity and remember the good that has happened to us , whether long ago or just yesterday . Whenever you catch yourself staggering under painfilled thoughts , you can pull one of those monuments from your memory and thank God for one of the many blessings that have come your way . Reflect on what it meant to you then and what it means to you now .
It may help to take time to think of these blessings in advance and memorialize them in a journal or on index cards . Then they ’ ll come to mind more readily as you need them . Stop the bad and remember the good . And in the process . . .
Reframe Obstacles with Optimism
Optimism is a frame of mind , a core ingredient for keeping your thoughts positive . In fact , developing a hopeful attitude is far more crucial to wellness than many people recognize . Studies show that optimism has tangible health benefits as the mind and body influence each other . Optimistic people rebound from illness and medical procedures better than people who possess a more cynical outlook . But can a person who isn ’ t naturally optimistic develop a sense of hopefulness ? Absolutely . Optimism isn ’ t just something a person is born with ; optimism can be learned and exercised , like a muscle .
Take Charge of Your Reset
You have the power and ability to control your thoughts instead of letting them control you . Your brain and body deserve healthy nourishment . Your soul deserves the peace of uplifting thoughts . As you implement the
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