1. Thoughts and Their Consciousness

How do negative thoughts emerge?

Initially, thoughts are just thoughts. As we experience life, they become influenced and categorized into positive or negative.

From the moment we are born, our environment continuously shapes our brain.

Picture a toddler alone in a room. He spots a lizard for the first time. What do you think his reaction will be?

He won't scream for help; rather, he'll likely play with it, driven by curiosity, exploring its features.

But when his mother enters and yells upon seeing him with the lizard, the child's excitement turns to fear.

The next time a lizard appears, he won't reach for it but instead withdraws.

Why? His fear isn’t of the lizard itself but of the anticipated scream from his mother.

A thought has now formed and sunk into his subconscious. As he grows, it may be challenging for him to access this memory and alter his perception, potentially leading to a lifelong fear of lizards without understanding why.

“Our brains are adept at creating meanings. They thrive on patterns and repetition.”

2. Regular Maintenance of Thoughts

Thoughts are akin to organic material; they can become stale if we repeatedly react to them.

Now that you grasp the concept of stale thoughts, let's explore how to refresh them.

Meditation is a key practice—not about controlling your thoughts but about stepping back and observing them without engagement.

Close your eyes. Picture a serene, inviting sofa. Take a seat and simply watch your thoughts as a silent observer.

Thoughts possess their own consciousness. When they recognize they have no influence over you—regardless of being deemed negative or positive—they will begin to dissipate. They will feel a sense of abandonment and exit the scene.

“If you refrain from engaging with your negative thoughts, you can clear away the clutter they generate.”

3. Befriend Your Thoughts

Rather than attempting to dominate your thoughts, consider befriending them.

Our minds can be temperamental. Think back to a moment someone labeled you “slow” or “dumb.” Did you feel bad or blame your mind for not reacting quickly enough?

Picture yourself in a car next to a driver who is anxious. Those who have experienced this can relate. It’s frustrating, right?

Imagine someone next to you constantly urging you to slow down for a speed bump that’s far ahead. Annoying!

This mirrors how we often confuse our brains with mixed signals when the journey of our lives relies on how effectively our minds steer us.

When you ride with a friend who is competent, you generally feel safe.

Returning to the main point, it’s more beneficial to cultivate a friendship with your brain, demonstrating trust in its abilities.

This won’t happen overnight, but as you practice self-belief, you’ll find that your decision-making improves and the quality of your thoughts elevates.

Pro Tip: Avoid dozing off while seated next to the driver.

“The best way to manage your thoughts is to cultivate a friendship with them. Once you do, you’ll find there’s no need to conquer them.”

Final Thoughts

The labels of “positive” and “negative” we assign to our thoughts are largely influenced by our cultural upbringing.

By becoming an impartial observer of your thoughts and opting out of their chaotic tussle, you’ll begin to see them clearly without labeling.

The real issue lies not in the thoughts themselves, but in the tags we assign to them. (I’m not a psychologist, so if you struggle significantly with your thoughts, I recommend consulting a professional).

Reframing is essential. Embrace this practice to shape the life you desire. Your aspirations may be modest, but you are worthy of much more.