Life is full of challenges and as a busy mum you have you fair share of ups and downs and daily upsets to deal with. In today’s blog I would like to give you an overview of the yogic view about bad thoughts.
Everyone Gets Upset
Hands up if you have ever shouted and yelled at your kids or had a fall-out with your best friend.
How do you feel when hear the words – “Go away!” “Leave me alone.” “I hate you.” or “If you really cared about me you wouldn’t say that”….
What thoughts, images flow through your mind? How do they make you feel? Good? Bad? Or indifferent?
Even with the best will in the world, it is difficult to always be “Pollyanna” and be happy and glad all the time.
I am sure you know people who are always complaining, moaning and feeling upset about something. How do you feel about being them? Do you go out of your way to avoid them or sit and listen to their grumbles trying to understand where they are coming from, or do you listen and think, “go away, I wish you would get a life and leave me alone?”
You Are Not Alone-Everyone Has Bad Thoughts
We have all been there. I haven’t got any scientific research but I am sure even top gurus, yogis and missionaries have at least one bad thought a day. My girls will tell you that I am the most impatient and rattiest person to be around after 9pm. Its like a switch goes off in my head and if I am tired and had a long day I get easily frustrated and irritable.
Yogic Perspectives on Bad Thoughts
From a yogic perspective, the thing to remember is that your thoughts are neither good nor bad. Rather it is the attachment you place on your thoughts, how you see them and whether you choose to respond or react to the thought. Your mindset, attitude determines whether a thought is “bad or good.” As this Zen Proverb reminds us..“How refreshing to hear the whinny of a packhorse when its burden is lifted off its back!”
Everything In Life Is Energy
Everything in life is energy. Your thoughts are simply another form of energy. You hold the power to choose whether a thought hinders or propels you forward in life.
Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?
Effects of Bad Thoughts
I am sure you are aware of the famous quote:
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. (source unknown)
Negative thoughts, whether in the form of self-doubt, limiting beliefs or outright racist thoughts, have an impact on your words and actions.
On an energetic level, habits and believes store themselves in the body. Constant worry, anxiety and fear leave an imprint on your cells and manifest as illness and disease. Poor dietary habits, clutter, lack of exercise, negative thoughts all contribute to holding these patterns in your body.
Yoga To the Rescue
What can you do to reduce the debilitating effects of negative thoughts?
The ancient art of yoga and meditation offers you simple tools to help relieve stress, anxiety and worry thoughts.
As a body work therapist and yoga teacher, I work with clients who hold such resentment, pain and emotional trauma in their body that their muscles are tight and sore. They complain of a variety of stress related conditions.
They arrive at the session, hunched, stressed and unable to relax. Sore shoulders, headaches, back pain, stomach ulcers are made worse by tension stored in the body. Yet after 15 minutes of gentle stretching or breathing, their shoulders relax, jaws soften and spine lengthens. They feel and look better. More alive, energised and able to see the lesson and blessing presented as their thoughts settle and calm down.
How Aware Are You Of Your Thoughts
How often are you consciously aware of your thoughts?
The mind is like a running tap. Thoughts constantly flow through your mind. If you stop to examine your thoughts, I am sure you will realise that although you are reading this article, you have a background of thoughts clambering for your attention.
Practice Yoga Breathing Exercises To Help You
I am a strong believer in the power of your breath and meditation to calm you down and help you make sense of your thoughts. When you feel zapped, despondent and worried, rather than reach for stimulants to quell your pain, breathe. Take a slow steady breath in through your nose and slowly let it go. Just keep taking those deep breaths and allow yourself to recalibrate and connect with your heart.
At the end of the day, you have the power of choice. Your children look up to you and as such you have to show them that it is possible to have bad thoughts and still remain calm and see beyond the disagreement.
You can either continue to allow bad, negative thoughts to rule your life or you can attempt to break the pattern and install a more positive thought which helps to keep worry in perspective and life smoother.
Remember…
You are not alone. Everyone has moments of negativity and bad thoughts. Yoga and meditation offers you tools and practical knowledge to empower you to work through bad/negative thoughts so you feel liberated, energised and more able to get on with life. If you wish to find out more ways yoga empowers you sign up for your free weekly copy of my Yoga InspiresYou e-newsletter. Details on top right hand corner of this page.
In the meantime, have an extra special loving day.
Stay In The Flow and thanks for reading.
Image courtesy of Frodrig – Thank You
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