Joyful Habits

Freedom in Our Thoughts

How do we create freedom in our thoughts?

We all have a built-in way to create private suffering or personal joy – the thoughts we give life to. We generate thousands of thoughts per day, so it can feel like a huge responsibility to focus on creating nothing but happy thoughts. It can also feel like a bit of pressure to slow down and focus on even noticing what the tone of our thoughts entail.

I believe when more of our thoughts are focused on what we do want to be feeling, than on thoughts that lead to suffering, judgment or worry –  over time it becomes easier to access our joy and connect to our personal truth. When we are connected to our inner spirit and become aware of the tone of our thoughts, we make space to focus on creating what it is that we do want. It then becomes more natural to continue creating habits and patterns in our thinking that are along this same line.

By beginning to notice our thoughts, whether that is through a meditation practice, or through scheduling in regular times to ‘check-in’ on our thoughts, the easier it becomes to create more self-awareness and freedom in our thoughts. We can’t change or re-direct what we aren’t aware of, so becoming aware is really the first important step.

I often use how I am feeling as an indicator of what sorts of thoughts I am giving life to. If I feel anxious, angry or upset for no obvious reason, I know that I can check-in on the story I’m creating in my mind. More often than not, I’ve discovered I can change the tone of my thoughts by becoming aware of what they are. This awareness also helps to release those unwanted feelings and make room to create new thoughts that lead to having a greater sense of peace and joy. The most powerful question I ask myself when I check-in on my thoughts is:  “What do I want to be feeling right now and how can I begin creating steps towards that in this moment?”

Through awareness and practice comes freedom. How might you create more awareness and freedom in some of the thoughts you give life to in your day?

Emily
#lovinglife

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Emily Madill

Emily Madill is an author and certified professional coach (ACC), with a BA in Business and Psychology. She is one of Thrive Global’s editors-at-large and a coach at BetterUp. Emily has published 12 titles in the area of self-development and empowerment, both for children and adults. You can find her writing in Chicken Soup for the Soul:Think Positive for Kids; The Huffington Post; Thrive Global; TUT.com; Best Self Magazine; The Muse; MindBodyGreen; Emerging Women; TinyBuddha; Aspire Magazine; and others. Emily has a private coaching practice and an online program, offering courses that support women to create lasting habits around self-love, self-awareness and all things related to time and weekly planning. She lives on Vancouver Island, Canada, with her husband, two sons and their sweet rescue dog Annie. Learn more at: emilymadill.com

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