Good Thoughts

Whatever disciplines we decide to practice become our habits and those habits shape our lives. 

Any new habit we decide to begin whether rising early to go for a run, or deciding to practice thinking good thoughts takes commitment. If we don’t think our pursuit is worthwhile, there is no way we’ll make a commitment to it. 

What makes pursuing any new habit worth our while? I believe it depends on our motivation for change. The decision to practice thinking good thoughts aligns with what I believe about physical well being. Not only is it important for me to be physically well, but being mentally well is important too. 

 I think that practicing thinking good thoughts begins with a clear understanding of our values, aspirations, intentions and ambitions. When we take a moment to check in with ourselves, we might find we are going in the same direction of our values or we might find that we’ve gone off track.

Taking the time to ask ourselves questions on a daily basis allows us to know where our thoughts are taking us. It does not need to be an up to the minute analyst report like a sports commentator, but checking in with ourselves is a good way to notice our patterns of thought.  

 When we take a moment to check in with ourselves, we might find that our thinking is headed down an old well worn path. For me that well worn path is usually worry or anxious thoughts. 

Shifting my thinking onto a different pathway begins with the practice of taking the time each morning to read and contemplate on what is true. I find truth as I read scripture. 

This practice of reading scripture each morning is how I put what is true into my mind so that when my thinking goes down that well worn path of worry and anxious thinking, I can recall something true instead; I don’t need to be anxious. God, who is for me, with me and never leaves me, has a way of giving me peace and assurance. 

Why Bother?

Why bother practicing thinking good thoughts? We can shift our minds from going down those old well worn paths as we replace the well worn paths with thinking on what is true.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who, like me, know they need to change, but are not quite sure where to start. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.