A study found that we have 70,000 thoughts a day. 80% of those thoughts are negative.
This statistic hit me like a train. First of all, it is insane that we have an average of 70,000 thoughts every single day. But the mind-blowing part (and what probably made your jaw drop) is that vast majority of thoughts lean towards the negative. Think about it. You are driving to work and assume that a few drivers could pull out in front of you. The biker is probably not paying attention. You look down and worry about how others will judge the lent you just noticed on your black pants. You assume the drive-through line at Starbucks is 20 cars deep. You worry about the meeting you have later on this afternoon and start to assume the possible frustrating changes your manager could add to your stress level at work.
Sheesh! All you were doing was driving to work! Doesn’t it makes sense though? As much as I would like to assume I am a positive person, I am humbled knowing that this is probably pretty accurate for me.
I have a perspective I want us all to shift.
What if the art of loving others and loving our lives starts with loving ourselves?
Allow me to elaborate:
We often pour out to others and the world BEFORE we fill our cups up.
What fills your cup? What can you do to fill your cup before your day even starts? What about when you hit that mid-day slump? In the evening before you rest your head? Now imagine how your life would look if you prioritized filling your cup up throughout the day.
If you were taken care of, then how much more could you care?
If you felt rejuvenated and peaceful, how could that energy radiate for others? Think about WHO you could be to others.
If you were filled, how much more can you pour?
If you want some ideas of what could fill your cup up, visit my post: https://harmoniesofhealth.com/how-to-prioritize-self-care-when-you-are-burnt-out/
If you fell in love with the very fibers that make you YOU, how much more can you love others and this place we all call home?
Now, this isn’t a step-by-step guide on how to love yourself more. This post is to get you thinking.
How can you honor yourself that reflects love and appreciation for who you are? For who created you? For who you were created to be?
This is a challenge to find new ways to be fully-present with whatever your day brings – the good, the unfortunate, and the mundane.
Whatever life throws at you, you will be able to handle it in the best way you can. This discipline will start to become a habit. A habit of thinking differently about your life and all it will throw at you.
Circling back…
What if through this discipline your ratio of positive and negative thoughts shift. I’d argue that even lowering the amount of negative thoughts from 80% to 70% would be noticeable. Perhaps as you recognize your thoughts as negative, you will be able to stomp it out with the very next thought, which is positive. Optimistic. Hopeful. Loving.
It starts with you, friend. Fill your cup in all the beautiful ways that you can and see how it impacts the way you see yourself, those around you, and the wonderful life that we are privileged to live.
