You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life, work on the mind.
– Elizabeth Gilbert
We tend to think of being selective as a wrong character feature. We often say “oh, he/she is too picky”; like it’s a bad thing. Do you ever wonder when being selective became a problem?
Time is so limited; I’ve talked about this on several previous occasions. That’s why it really matters how we spend every second of our lives. The ‘how’ is often determined by external factors: who we spend our time with; the kind of activities we perform each day; the messages we allow to linger in our minds.
Perhaps no lesson is more meaningful and useful than learning how to control and select our thoughts. We all get negative once in a while – or more often than that! -; so, it’s important to have a strategy that keeps us from focusing on negative thoughts. If we surround ourselves with positive, but also honest, people; we will see their influence in our lives immediately. Sometimes it may not be up to us whether to interact with people who are negative; but even then, we can choose to let go of their comments, not take in their energy; and move on. Meditation and Yoga can help you do that. Music can help you. Literature, as well. There are many free resources and ideas online; about activities that help you take your mind off dark and stressful thoughts.
If you have the luxury of choosing who to work with, exercise it whenever possible. Sometimes you may listen to your intuition that tells you that maybe it’s not a good idea to take on a certain project; or you get the impression that collaborating with this or that person will be challenging or stressful for you. In these cases,remember to exercise your boundaries and be honest with yourself and with others. No one will ever win if one person doesn’t have his/her heart in the project at hand.
Have you ever been told you’re ‘picky’? I have! In your life, do you practice being selective? Tell me about your experiences and thoughts: docbeverly@aol.com. I love hearing back from you!
