It Really Really Works
“Sometimes our internal GPS has us going in circles. Just stop for a minute, recalibrate your heart, spirit, and mind, and then watch how clear your path becomes." - Rodney Williams
I’ve been thinking about the stats in the TOD on the 29th regarding the amount of negative thoughts we have each day. Here is a quick recap for the new members to the group.
The typically person has 60,000 thoughts a day. Of that 60,000, 57,000 (95%) of the thoughts are a repeat of thoughts from the previous day and the day before. The next statistic makes you wonder even more. Of the 60,000 thoughts a day, 45,000 (80%) are negative thoughts.
About two weeks ago, I ran across a term in the book I’m reading called self inquiry. It is the process of analyzing negative thoughts and beliefs. Byron Katie developed a self inquiry process called The Work (www.thework.com) to aid in removing negativity and unhappiness by getting to the source and doing away with it. The Work is a series of four simple questions you ask yourself.
1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
3. How do you react when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?
After you write down the answers to the questions, you create a turnaround statement. A turnaround statement is documenting the truth rather than the belief/thought. It gets back to what I talk about often: heart/head synchronization. When you write down what you are feeling in your heart so your brain can see and process it, you get the two synchronized. That’s main reason for journaling. Get the feelings out so the brain can process them.
Since I’m the test subject for our group, I decided to apply The Work to some things going on in my life right now.
When I asked the first question, the answer was I don’t know.
“Sometimes our internal GPS has us going in circles. Just stop for a minute, recalibrate your heart, spirit, and mind, and then watch how clear your path becomes." - Rodney Williams
I’ve been thinking about the stats in the TOD on the 29th regarding the amount of negative thoughts we have each day. Here is a quick recap for the new members to the group.
The typically person has 60,000 thoughts a day. Of that 60,000, 57,000 (95%) of the thoughts are a repeat of thoughts from the previous day and the day before. The next statistic makes you wonder even more. Of the 60,000 thoughts a day, 45,000 (80%) are negative thoughts.
About two weeks ago, I ran across a term in the book I’m reading called self inquiry. It is the process of analyzing negative thoughts and beliefs. Byron Katie developed a self inquiry process called The Work (www.thework.com) to aid in removing negativity and unhappiness by getting to the source and doing away with it. The Work is a series of four simple questions you ask yourself.
1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
3. How do you react when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?
After you write down the answers to the questions, you create a turnaround statement. A turnaround statement is documenting the truth rather than the belief/thought. It gets back to what I talk about often: heart/head synchronization. When you write down what you are feeling in your heart so your brain can see and process it, you get the two synchronized. That’s main reason for journaling. Get the feelings out so the brain can process them.
Since I’m the test subject for our group, I decided to apply The Work to some things going on in my life right now.
When I asked the first question, the answer was I don’t know.
When I asked the second question, the answer was a big NO. Why? Since I did not have actual proof and was not actually there to witness what I thought had happened, the answer had to be NO. Question 2 is what turned the light on for me where I knew my ego was in play.
My reaction to the thoughts was hurt feelings. The hurt feelings were based on an ego reaction. It was a thought with no proof or validation.
As for who I would be without the thought, I would still be Rodney, but with one less negative thought that was unfounded.
After reviewing what I had written, I wrote my turnaround statement. As I looked at it, I started smiling a little as I was seeing that what I was feeling was indeed invalid. What I thought in question 1 had no proof or validation when I asked question 2, which meant all I had done was cause myself some unhappiness. There it was in black and white. The EGO at work again!
I have since been doing The Work daily. For me, it seems that questions one and two get rid of the negative thoughts pretty quick. Is it true and where are the supporting facts that it’s true, seems to satisfy the engineer desire in me to solve the problem. It does indeed “really really work.”
Action Item – When you have a negative thought today, write it down and just ask yourself the four questions. You will be amazed when you find out that the thought is unfounded.
POSITIVE NEWS
On A Roll
We have four new people joining us today Linda B. and David Morrow. Welcome to Brenda N., John S., Annette S., and John S. Drum roll please! We are now at 107. We are having a great growth period. Let’s keep it going.
Unexpected Goodness
My property taxes were lowered by $1,050. I split the savings with the company that does my protesting so I’m still $525 ahead. Sweet!
A Few Bucks
I have two $7 off coupons for an oil change at the Jiffy Lube at 2001 South Shepherd. Let me know if you need one.
Some Good Reading
Here is a good article on lashing out. It’s well worth reading.
http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/20518.html
This article is on one of my common topics – EGO. It puts it in perspective.
http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/20519.html
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