And wow!! as if this was not enough, a whopping 82-90% of our thoughts are negative. Behavioral researchers also suggest that our mood affects our thoughts and that we allow our negative feelings, emotions, and disappointments to determine our thoughts.

Wow! Now that is self-discovery. I truly am a product of my thoughts.

Do you often find your mind automatically drifting to a hurtful or painful memory? Our mind creates patterns and paths that run on autopilot, and will naturally go to a certain form of thinking and processing.
Our job (which is our choice and responsibility) is to captivate each thought and determine how to process it.

American author and poet, James Allen said, “ Every action and feeling is proceeded by a thought.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “ The ancestor of every action is a thought. The Bible says it this way, “As a man thinks, so is he”.

Our thoughts determine our destiny.

So the great question is what can I change my thought patterns? If yes then how??

Let me assist you with three amazing life changing exercises that will assist you in controlling your thoughts.

1) Capture your thought.

The word capture means “to gain possession or control of.” If you can capture your thought in the first 30 seconds you can delete and reject the thought before it moves into your memory file. That is why the Bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “take every thought captive by renewing your mind.”

Develop the art of discerning a thought quickly. Learn to reject and refuse a negative thought before it occupies space in your mind. Once you develop the skill of catching your thoughts before they take root, you will be well on your way to rejecting negative thoughts and creating positive thoughts.
*Stop the thought before it takes root.

2) Make a decision.

Its been well researched now that no matter what happens to you in life, you tend to return to a fixed range of happiness. Researchers show that 50 percent of our mindset comes from genetics or past life learnings, 10 percent is determined by our circumstances (like our job, marital status, wealth) 40 percent is determined by our habitual thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. I love this statistic because it validates the power I have to choose my happiness. Why is it that some people can go through the hardest of times, (death of a loved one, loss of a job, house burns down, personal rejection, etc.) and yet they still have a positive attitude and outlook on life? While others get a hangnail and the whole world must stop and send condolences.

The answer: The decision to choose happiness. And that choice starts with a thought.

“Thomas Alva Edison’s plant, which comprised more than half of the site, was engulfed in flames on Dec 10th, 1914 in a massive explosion. Between six and eight fire departments rushed to the scene, but the chemical-fueled inferno was too powerful to put out quickly. According to a 1961 Reader’s Digest article by Edison’s son Charles, Edison calmly walked over to him as he watched the fire destroy his dad’s work. In a childlike voice, Edison told his 24-year-old son, “Go get your mother and all her friends. They’ll never see a fire like this again.” When Charles objected, Edison said, “It’s all right. We’ve just got rid of a lot of rubbish.” Now that’s some positive Attitude

Transforming -Ve thoughts to +ve ones

You have three choices for each toxic thought:
a. Allow the thought to trap you and control your mind and emotions
b. Delete the thought and replace it with a healthy positive thought
c. Meditate on the thought and allow it to develop in a healthy manner

3) Take the Philippians 4:8 test

Funnel every thought through the “4×8 grid”. Break down each thought and ask yourself some honest questions. Once you have established if the thought is worth expanding, then you can make the decision how to go from there. If the thought is negative and toxic it must be rephrased into a healthy positive thought.

Example: Thought, “No one invites me anywhere”.
Ask yourself on a scale from always to never, is it true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, excellent, or praiseworthy. (See definitions below)

The 4×8 Grid
Your Thought: ____________________________________________________________________

Is It?                   Always                       Mostly                          Often                       Never True

Honest

Just

Pure

Lovely

Good Report

Excellent

Praiseworthy

In a nutshell Lock your Thoughts only on, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.

Steps to take to develop healthy thought patterns

• Be aware of your thoughts. Keep a journal or mental diary. Track your thoughts.
• Keep your mood happy and your thoughts will stay positive. Practice smiling through the day.
• Remember you have the choice, and power to direct your thoughts.
• You’re not helpless in this process.
• Practice thanksgiving and gratitude and not comparison and expectation.
• Rehearse healthy affirmations and scripture. Phil 4:8 Test

Assignment:

Step 1)         Write down every negative, toxic thought you can think of—all of them

Step 2)       Take the Phil 4:8 test Step

Step 3)        Now, rewrite each thought in a new positive manner Example:

Toxic: I look so fat in everything I wear.

Healthy: I love my smile and the joy it brings to so many people.

Toxic: I feel stuck in this relationship.

Healthy: I am responsible for my joy and today is going to be an awesome day.

I believe God has an amazing future in store for you. Your job is to walk in the joy and abundance He has destined for you.  Declare this verse throughout the month as you begin to think positive God thoughts.

Phil. 4:8 Grid Definitions

• True: Consistent with fact or reality
• Honest: Not deceptive or fraudulent; genuine
• Just: Based on fact or sound reason
• Pure: Free of dirt, defilement, or pollution
• Lovely: Having beauty that appeals to the emotions as well as to the eye
• Good report: A positive account of the proceedings or transactions
• Excellent: Of the highest or finest quality; exceptionally good
• Praiseworthy: Deserving of praise; commendable

Remember Thoughts come in 3-time frames.
1. Past thoughts—Memory
2. Present thoughts—Current Situation
3. Future thoughts—Dreams

by Tammy Hotsenpiller

About the Author

Dr. Amitabh Singh is the founder of AadyantaLife and  Bio-Energetic & Crystal Healer and Wellness Coach. He provides Alternative and Complementary Healing therapies to difficult ailments including Cancer. He specializes in Mindfulness Meditation Coaching for Corporate and Business Leaders. His thought-provoking Enlightening Lectures are for those who are interested in Alternative ways to improve their Lifestyle and Well Being.