
Recovery is more than staying sober it is about learning to re-imagine yourself, learning to think of yourself in new terms. As noted by James Allen famed author of As a Man Thinketh, “Right thinking begins with the words we say to ourselves.” When we start out on the road to recovery we often have ideals we think we're supposed to live up to. We feel we're supposed to be better than we are in some way. The reality is you must take yourself completely as you are, and begin to challenge yourself and supplant the old negative thoughts with new positive ones. As we all know, that is easy to say but often so very hard to do.
So where do we begin? How do we start to actively change our thoughts from self-loathing and destructive to self-loving and supportive? First, really listen to yourself; really listen to the words you say to yourself. Are these your words you are hearing or a rhetorical reconstruction of others who have influence over you and how you feel about yourself and your life?
It is important to understand that much of your negative inner dialogue is a reflection of your fears both real and imagined, not how you truly feel about yourself. Unfortunately many of us grew up in environments where outside forces and difficult circumstances led us to adopt a version of ourselves based on how others wanted or needed us to be. In time their words became the foundation for our inner dialogue with ourselves.
Realize that everyone has a negative dialogue with themselves at one point or another, it is part of the human condition, but as with all things in life you have a choice, to either listen or not. The question is what do you really believe about yourself, what is at the core of you? Do you believe you are deserving of the things you want out of life? Do you believe you are truly capable of having the life you want?
Negative thoughts will always enter your mind. Don’t attach yourself to them or fixate on them, simply acknowledge them and replace them with positive ones. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively, and to ignore negative thoughts.
It doesn't matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results, situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks. It might take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they will and you will begin to draw more positive things into your life. If you are reading this you have already begun to change, you have already begun attracting positive change into your life.
“Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts inevitably bring about right results. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” – James Allen
So where do we begin? How do we start to actively change our thoughts from self-loathing and destructive to self-loving and supportive? First, really listen to yourself; really listen to the words you say to yourself. Are these your words you are hearing or a rhetorical reconstruction of others who have influence over you and how you feel about yourself and your life?
It is important to understand that much of your negative inner dialogue is a reflection of your fears both real and imagined, not how you truly feel about yourself. Unfortunately many of us grew up in environments where outside forces and difficult circumstances led us to adopt a version of ourselves based on how others wanted or needed us to be. In time their words became the foundation for our inner dialogue with ourselves.
Realize that everyone has a negative dialogue with themselves at one point or another, it is part of the human condition, but as with all things in life you have a choice, to either listen or not. The question is what do you really believe about yourself, what is at the core of you? Do you believe you are deserving of the things you want out of life? Do you believe you are truly capable of having the life you want?
Negative thoughts will always enter your mind. Don’t attach yourself to them or fixate on them, simply acknowledge them and replace them with positive ones. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively, and to ignore negative thoughts.
It doesn't matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results, situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks. It might take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they will and you will begin to draw more positive things into your life. If you are reading this you have already begun to change, you have already begun attracting positive change into your life.
“Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts inevitably bring about right results. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” – James Allen