6 minute read
Duania Hall
Power Up
Your Thoughts
Advertisement
Duania
Hall
Written by Duania Hall Motivational Speaker & Best Selling Author
YWe often do not assess how we are thinking, what kind of thoughts we are having or more importantly, how our thoughts influence our behavior. At times, we become overwhelmed with all that is going on in our lives. During these times it is common to have negative thoughts that Photography By Amina Touray Make Up By Janay Van Sylk bring us down or completely throw us off balance. This is one way our thoughts impact us.
If you find yourself experiencing this, don’t be afraid to say, “I am not okay.” This is one of the most powerful statements you can make when going through a challenging time. This statement gives you the power to admit something is happening that needs addressing, and it gives others permission to help you before things spiral out of control.
Our thoughts affect how we communicate with others in our intimate, parenting, and business relationships. To communicate effectively it is important to recognize our thought patterns and learn how to direct them.
Here are five tips to help you power up your thoughts every day:
1. Turn on your thought GPS One way you can do this is to pray or practice mindfulness before you jump into the day. Have you ever found yourself rushing through the morning without pausing to realize that you were granted another day of life? I have. So, I practice saying “Good morning, Lord,” to remind myself that I was privileged to see the sun again. Try starting your day by acknowledging its value. This doesn’t have to be an extensive activity, nor does it require a lot of time. It can be as simple as adding positive affirmations to your daily routine. This sets the tone for the rest of your day and gives you the opportunity
2. Mindful Dumping Get a piece of paper and write down all the things that are cluttering your mind then crumble the paper and throw it away. The purpose of this activity is to start your day with a clear mind. You can also do this at the end of your day so you can dump the mental junk before you lay down to sleep.
3. Keep a Daily G-List Practicing gratitude is an intentional process that can improve sleep, emotional regulation, increase positive moods, reduce stress, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Write down 3-5 things that you are grateful for. Do it every day, especially when you are having a tough day. You can write your list in a journal, on a dry erase board, on a sticky note, or in your phone. Check your lists at the end of each week. You’ll be amazed at how this boosts your mood and sets you up for thought parenting.
4. Thought Parenting Consider treating your thoughts like your children. If you see your children acting inappropriately, you correct them. So, if you think of your thoughts as your children and they get out of control you should correct them. You can tell your negative, non-purpose serving thoughts “Not today!” I practiced this one morning when waking up from a nightmare. Negative thoughts were flooding me, and I immediately told my thoughts “OH NO, that’s not what we’re doing today.” Then I recited The WHOLE Woman Affirmation which I created to help women with selfcare. Reciting these affirmations helped replace the bad thoughts I was having earlier. Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones is a great way to shift your mindset and reclaim control of each moment.
5.Thought Identification Thought identification is connected to deeper healing as it positions you to assess the root of your thoughts. A guy I once dated was a jokester and would always make people laugh. One day when a group of us were hanging out one of our friends jokingly said, “Boy, you so stupid.” Everyone in the group laughed and the guy started knocking things over and yelling “I’m not stupid!” We all froze! No one understood what just happened.
In the coming weeks, he decided to go to therapy to figure out why he got so angry that day. He learned that the word “stupid” was a trigger from his childhood and in that moment, he relived the days of being called “stupid” by his parents. He identified the root of his emotions. This new awareness allowed him to redirect his thoughts rather than lose control.
With thought identification, he positioned himself to understand his thought patterns and communicate what he wanted and what he needed. That day he needed us to know that the word “stupid” was hurtful to him, even if it was said in a playful manner. This same principle applies to all relationships. When you understand your thoughts, you can better communicate your wants and needs.
There is a proverb that says, “As a man thinketh, so is he.” This tells us that our thoughts are especially important and require supervision. Turning on your thought GPS, parenting your thoughts, and identifying your thought patterns allows you to communicate effectively in your relationships. This also helps you function at an optimal level, truly stepping out as your best self.
Another important aspect of powering up your thoughts is being intentional about what you let in your space. This is where self-awareness plays a vital role. Consume things that lift your spirits. What kinds of movies, books, food, places, people, or music makes you feel good? What kinds of people, places, or things make you feel bad, uncomfortable, or not free to be
Lastly, don’t let your thoughts get you caught up and acting out of character. We all tend to go there, sometimes, so it’s important to take a purposed pause and check your thoughts throughout the day. Start being intentional with how you live, which starts with how you think.
Here are four resources you can add to your Power Up toolbox:
The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal: Give Thanks, Practice Positivity, Find Joy by Sophia Godkin, PhD
Mindfulness Cards: Simple Practices for Everyday Life (Daily Mindfulness, Daily Gratitude, Mindful Meditation) by Rohan Gunathilake
The WHOLE Woman Affirmation by Duania Hall available at www.duaniahall.com
Duania’s Power Up Playlist available on Spotify
Studies show that listening to music creates a feeling of well-being and positive emotions, so I created a playlist to help you stay positive throughout the day. Here is the list of songs from my personal playlist that keep me fired up and feeling good! I hope this playlist does the same for you. Have an amazing day!
Optimistic by August Greene featuring Brandy There’s Hope by India Irie I’m Every Woman by Whitney Houston Golden by Jill Scott Run the World by Beyonce Hey Mr. DJ by Zhane Family Affair by Mary J. Blige Alright by Ledisi Cleva by Erykah Badu We Livin by Tina Campbell
Photo: Eberhard Grossgasteiger Vol 13
