Over the next 12 weeks, I will be presenting an aspect of positivity or mindfulness for us to focus on. These are all topics that I am working on myself and focusing on myself to achieve a happier mindset and calmer state of being. I’ll have a blog post each week and then quotes on my social media networks to support that week’s theme. For more support, join my Positivity Facebook Community. The 12 weeks will all be on my Positive Thinking Page.
Welcome to week four of my weekly positivity focus. You can catch up with the past three weeks of positivity on my positive thinking page. In short, for week one we focused on finding that inner self and realizing that you are much more than a body. Week two focused on self-love and week three focused on spending a moment in nature each day – even if it’s just to take a deep breath and then walk back inside.
Week four brings us to a very important point which is staying in the present moment. Like every week’s focus, this is one I am working on myself. And it’s not always easy. By focusing on my thoughts I’ve made a shocking realization – that when unattended, my brain runs away with thoughts from the past, and worries for the future.
When I say “unattended” I mean times when I’m not focused on what I’m immediately doing. Like when I’m doing dishes or watching tv – my brain goes off into its own little world and it is often based on fear, worries, self-doubt and other negative things.
Focusing on the present moment, on what you are doing at this very instant, will help to control the brain and stop it from wandering down nasty paths!
Training the Brain
Think of your brain as a horse with you as the rider. A rider who’s not focusing on their thoughts or trying to control their thoughts has a wild stallion of a brain. That wild stallion will run off where ever she pleases with the rider hanging on for dear life. The horse might run into a lake or under low hanging branches nearly knocking her rider off.
This rider doesn’t realize that life doesn’t have to be that way, that horses can be trained so that thoughts are controlled. This rider goes through life feeling out of control and anxious over the course their thoughts take them on – running off the path and through dangerous terrain. This rider is at the mercy of their wild stallion brain.
Now imagine this person has a breakthrough and realizes that she can train her horse to go where she wants it to go, to think how she wants. To stop it from running away with negative thoughts, doubts, bringing up hurt from the past, thinking about who’s wronged her or worrying about what tomorrow will bring.
The rider takes control and begins to train her horse and slowly yet surely, her horse begins to behave, staying on the path, staying calm, focused and going where the rider wants the horse to go!
This is what we want! To be in control of our thoughts and what we allow our brain to think about. Not the other way around.
Take control of your thoughts. You get to decide what path your thoughts take you down. Don’t let them go off into the wilderness, into hurt or fear. Stop those thoughts in their tracks and instead focus on the present moment, what is going on at that time.
Being Grateful & Happy Now
Besides the brain running off like a wild stallion in all directions, sometimes we suffer from feeling like the best is yet to come. That if something happens in the future then we will be happy. That if this or that occurs then things will be good. The pursuit of happiness is the worst thing to ever happen to happiness.
Waiting for something better or thinking of happiness as a quest takes away from our enjoyment of each moment that we are in! It robs us of joy, gratitude and happiness that we have in each moment of our lives.
If you focus on the present and be grateful for what you have right now, then you can be happy and joyful right now and life will be lighter.
This concept is worth absorbing to the fullest – that the only moment we ever have is NOW. This moment. The past is gone, the future isn’t here. All we have is right now. So focus on that right now and give it your all – your thoughts, your love and your gratitude.
This week, make it a goal to focus on your thoughts. Don’t let them run away with you! If you are going down into fear, worry, regrets or wishing for something in the future, pull up on the reigns, stop that train of thought. And focus on the moment you are in. Take a deep breath & be grateful for that moment. To relax and re-center yourself, follow this simple step to meditate anywhere at any time.
Follow Cuddle Fairy for more positivity on this weeks focus of staying in the present moment, I have some lovely quotes lined up for you!
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