Ever said that to yourself?
Everywhere you look there are articles, videos, and advertisements stating the need to shut off our negative thoughts and be more positive. While I am all about viewing life from the perspective of “what you can do” versus “what you can't do,” I also understand that turning off negative thoughts is not a light switch that can be turned off with enough willpower!
Did you know that?
- Inside the multiple layers of your brain, deep within, is an electrical system so alive that with every thought you are firing and wiring synaptic connections.
- Every time you learn something new you make a new connection in your brain.
- Your mind and body are connected by chemical releases we like to call “feelings” or “emotions.”
- Most of our actions are taken in order to emotionally feel the same way we did yesterday.
So why can’t you just stop being negative?
Because you have wired your brain and your body to think certain thoughts and have certain feelings. You have done this so well and for so long that those connections are stronger than ever.
Moving from negative to positive is a physical process.
Start to think of your brain as a garden.
Your job is to plant enough new thoughts, emotions and experiences that your current connections automatically get pruned away. When your garden is full and vibrant, you will naturally start to remove some of the older, unhealthy plants that don’t serve your garden anymore.
In the neuroscience world (like in the gardening world) it is called pruning. You see, you’re a human being and your nature is to be successful…you’re built that way. With a little attention you can shift in the right direction.
Start small, chose to learn something new and begin to create new experiences in your life. Here are some ways to do this:
- Read up on a subject matter that interests you.
- Take a different route to work.
- Eat at a different restaurant.
- Start-up a conversation with someone new.
As we learn something new, we fire a new synaptic connection. As we experience something new, we get our body involved and feel differently.
The more you gain new knowledge and experiences, the more you can wire and fire your brain with brand new connections. The more you repeat your learning and experiences, the more current is sent to these new connections.
If your brain is busy wiring and firing your new thoughts, feelings and emotions, it is not signaling your old ones.
Your job from this day forward is to:
- Slow down.
- Pay attention.
- Learn, grow and expand.
This is how change is made and finally you can STOP being so negative.
To your future!
Find out more about Jenna here.
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