The Balance of Shadow & Light

Lately, I have been contemplating internal thoughts and how those thoughts affect our attitudes and behavior.

I believe that there is a lot of power in thought. Your thoughts can help manifest your deepest hopes, dreams and desires in your life. You have the power to create greatness so it is important to guide yourself into positive thought and affirmation. But, sometimes, our thoughts can take a more negative turn.

And these thought patterns might be more common for most:

“I’m not good enough”

“I’m a failure”

“I’m too fat”

“I’m too thin”

“Nobody loves me”

(fill in the blank with your negative story)

With all of the transition I have experienced so far this year, I was beginning to attach myself to those darker, more negative thoughts. Even though I am usually a more optimistic person, I still felt a sense of pessimism creeping in. I knew I had to take control of my consciousness and flip the switch on my mind.

Last week, A friend introduced me to an NPR Podcast called Invisibilia. The first download is called “The Secret History of Thoughts.” Two women explain the history of thought and reinforce the idea that our thoughts are indeed invisible.

There have been three different forms of thought therapy developed over time:

• Freud: Thoughts have meaning.

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Thoughts need to be backed by realistic evidence in order to be true. (Widely practiced today)

• Third Wave Therapy or Mindfulness Therapy: Thoughts often have no meaning at all so there is no need to engage in negative thought.

As a practitioner of mindfulness, I think it might be best to test out the newest wave of therapy. As much as you conjure up negative thoughts, you must remember that you have the power to remain unattached and the ability to talk yourself out of those thoughts. The mind is supremely complex but I believe that you truly have the power to control it.

In addition, I tend to think that we are more likely to speak highly of our friends and loved ones more than ourselves. We can spend a lot of time building up other people but still be the hardest on ourselves. Even though it is important to challenge yourself, try the middle path. Stay challenged but go easy on you!

Be mindful of the self-deception and have discipline to let go of your shadow self and find your light within.

You are worth it!