Wednesday, July 23, 2008

You Become What You Think About

Listen to the Musn't's child,
Listen to the Don't's.
Listen to the Shouldn't's,
the Impossibles, the Won't's.
Listen to the Never Haves,
then Listen close to me:
Anything can happen, child,
Anything can Be!
~ Shel Silverstein


Drum roll, please... I lost six pounds last night at weigh in! Woo hoo! I'm a happy camper!

I've been thinking a lot lately about thinking. Specifically, how our thoughts can make or break us in life. I'm reading a great little book right now (recommend by Rebecca over at Ready Maid) called Being in Balance, by Dr. Wayne Dyer. He has a wonderful way of putting it:

You get what you think about, whether you want it or not.

Pretty simple, but pretty powerful. If you think that making a change in your life (like paying your bills on time, or losing weight, or being a better a friend) is hard, then it will be hard. But if you look at the positive aspects of what you're doing, the experience will be positive. Yep, it's that old Law of Attraction idea: you draw to you the same energy you put out to the world.

I struggle with being too hard on myself, and I know from experience that I'm not alone in that. I am encouraging of others who take a step and fall. But when I do it? Oh boy - the inner tirades begin! But these past two weeks, I worked on letting go of past mistakes and instead focused on how good it felt to be eating healthy again. I created very positive thoughts that translated into very positive actions.

So here's an idea:

What if we all focus on the positive things about ourselves?

Quick! Name all the areas where you think you’re lacking. Go ahead - I'll wait. :-)

You can probably make a long list, can’t you? I’m not smart, I’m not thin, I’m not wealthy, I’m not stylish, I’m not active… I’m not, I’m not, I’m not!

How about listing all the things you are?

Focusing on the positive parts of ourselves is much more of a challenge because we’re used to looking at all the ways we think we don’t measure up. We’ve set a self-imposed standard inside us that constantly points out our shortcomings.

So here's my challenge for all of us today: take time to write down all of the good things you are. If you’re having trouble making a list, ask a trusted friend or loved one what they see as your strengths. It’s time we start defining ourselves in terms of what we ARE, not what we aren't. Remember Dr. Dyer's words: You become what you think about.

I'm a proud and capable woman who is six pounds lighter today! What are you?


Until next time...

22 comments:

Felicia said...

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO Thats A W E S O M E!!! You are doing AMAZING!!

Keep up the inspiring work!!

Have a WONDERFUL day!
*huggles*
=0)

Diana Swallow said...

Pattie, I've started something lately when I do think of something negative I tell myself "yes I used to be like that but now I'm different" so instead of focusing on the past I look at changing my now and my future.

I'm going to add that book to my list of books to check out. Thanks for the recommendation.

FluffyDonna said...

Wow, your post is so encouraging and positive =) Thank you for blessing us!! Congrats on the weight loss, you rock!

Big Girl said...

Hi neighbor =)

Congrats on your 6 pounds! that's so great!

Also, I love the thought you become what you think. Postitive thinking really does work.

Unknown said...

Congats Pattie! You're such an inspiration.

new*me said...

great post and FABULOUS loss this week! Way to GO!

What am I?

I am a loving mother and wife who is learning how to focus on one day at a time and live in the moment because I will NEVER have that moment back. I choose to make most of those moments healthy ones :)

Kathy said...

Excellent post, Pattie. And good for you! Six pounds is enough to make you feel a lot better...it doesn't take much. And I'm sure that just knowing that you have it in you to accomplish weight loss again has to feel very very good!

What am I? Tired...the kids just went home to their Mom. Happy...that I had such a great visit with them. Confident...that I am a good wife, mother, and grandmother.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Congratulations on losing 6 lbs! I knew you could do it. Wayne Dyer's books and programs on public TV are very motivating. Also partnering with someone you can encourage while they encourage you works also.

RunningNan said...

You rock! 6 pounds! That's stellar!

ptg said...

Love, love, love, love L.O.V.E. the Shel Silverstein quote.

Love it.

Deborah said...

WOW! What a wonderful post! It sure has gotten me to thinking.

I'll set right down and see how long my list will be after I read a few more blogs.

CONGRATULATIONS on the 6 whole pounds!!!

jovaliquilts said...

Congrats!! Just remember, it's the attitude and the new behavior patterns that are really important -- some weeks you'll do everything right and will lose little or nothing. Don't let that discourage you for the long run!

The quote reminded me of the old adage, "Be careful what you set your heart on, for you will surely get it."

ptg said...

PS - I linked to you from my own blog, I hope you don't mind!

Manuela said...

I'm a strong woman who can accomplish anything when I put my best foot forward!

AWESOME on your loss. What a difference in this post from that one a few weeks ago :)

(come and look at my birdies)

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

Great post, Pattie! I agree with everything you wrote. It truly is a case of 'seeing what we believe'.

Congrats on the six pounds!!!

Needled Mom said...

YEAH!!! Way to go, Pattie. That has got to make you feel so much better.

Your blog posting sounds very much like the "lecture" that I just gave my mother. She has so much going for her and is so hard on herself.

Lora said...

Way to go - six pounds!!!!

I was reading an article today that has a physical twist on what you've said. It said that everytime we think a thought - we create a neural pathway. And the nore we think it - the deeper the rut gets. So - thinking negative thoughts just sets up up for even more. We need to make some positive neural pathways if we want to be happy!

Lady Downsize! said...

Coincidentally I did this today. Lunch is spent around some pretty negative people, and that can drag me down. Today I made a deliberate point of talking positive, only comments from me were uplifting, and I felt myself smiling from the inside out warmly. Not to mention, one of those negative people actually said something positive!

jillytacy said...

High five Pattie! Yeah for you six ponds lighter!!!! And yeah for you for writing this post. I'm going to do this. It very easy to pick out the negatives and so much harder to point out the positive aspects of ourselves. Thanks for another inspiring post!

Human Microbiome Search Engine said...

What am I? I'm just an old lazy fat guy who hasn't taken care of his health.

No, strike that. I am a mature man who needs to do more to improve his health.

No, that's not quite right, either. I am a determined adult male who is starting on a journey that will lead to a long, healthy, active life.

There, that's it.

Anonymous said...

Great post. I linked to it from my blog as I want to reread it and think more on it. Hope you don't mind.

Anonymous said...

Just what I needed today. Thanks for the words of encouragement and congratulations on your 6 lb victory!