“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts” – Marcus Aurelius

I love this quote.  And it is vitally true.

Our feelings guide us to evaluate our thoughts.

Thoughts come first, which then becomes a feeling.

But here’s the sticky point.

Thoughts are just thoughts.

They might or might not be true.

They are based upon what you are 

CHOOSING to focus upon.

Okay, here’s the double sticky fact.

Beliefs are simply thoughts you keep listening to.  We can accept or deny a thought.

The reason intrusive thoughts stand out is

because they have a dark or destructive component.

I don’t even notice how many times a day I have the thought

SCRATCH

STRETCH

YAWN

Thinking can be more intentional than you may let yourself

own.  

What are the thoughts that you are thinking?

Do they help you or harm you?

Do your thoughts encourage, support, uplift you?

Or do they diminish, criticize, or lessen your confidence

This is a really important distinction.

Refuse to  pursue thoughts that will hurt you.  As much as you can.

Focus instead on how you can help yourself.

Right now, at this moment, how can I take better care of myself?.

Here are some powerful thoughts to take in. and process. 

•   No one ever wanted to be in a concentration camp. UGH!

•   No one ever wants pain or crisis. Of course we don’t.

•   I have choices.  I might not have THE one I want, BUT I DO have choices.

.

•   I can overcome this.  I have gotten through everything 

so far and I will get through this.

•   Today is just a tough day.  I look forward to things getting 

lighter soon.

• Pop into or get near to some water.  Water is Hugely healing!.

Help yourself choose to support yourself as you move into a different place.

Heather Browne PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Heather Browne PsyD, LMFT helps people recognize the power of communication.  It is one of our most important skills that we have, and yet we don’t consider our understanding, approach, belief, and therefore, miss our possibilities.  Living with a paranoid schizophrenic mother gave Dr. Heather a unique and powerful awareness that no one has the same reality, though we believe we do.  Utilizing this revolutionary awareness has allowed her to transform communication within self and within all other types of relationship.  This is the hidden key to acceptance.  And this is her mission to share.

As a relationship expert, Dr. Heather Browne has worked with thousands of individuals and couples in psychotherapy.  She is a TedX Speaker and Keynote Speaker. Her couple’s communication book will be out 1/24. She is published in hundreds of journals, has an active YouTube channel, has been featured on ABC-7 news, was the relationship expert on KDOC Daybreak OC, and is published in Inc., Toronto Sun, Thriving Family Magazine,  Light + Life, BRAINZ, Scary Mommy, and Psychology Today.  She is a regular guest blogger for both Links for Shrinks and for Marriage Friendly Therapists. She offers a weekly newsletter packed with tips and techniques to improve relationships and has monthly workshops! Simply go to her website!
https://www.drheatherbrowne.com/