Mind Games

By Paula Renaye

”What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.” Buddha

Life happens; there's no denying that, and we have to deal with what comes. And if "life happens" a lot, we can get into a low place where we think that's all there is and our thoughts get caught in an infinite loop of pain. It's in those moments that we have to remember that the one thing we always have control over is ourselves—our thoughts and choices.

And the first thing we have to do is make a conscious choice about the thoughts we focus on. If we keep dwelling on the bad that's happened, we not only stay in the past, we stay immersed in feeling bad. However, if we stop and push ourselves to focus on some aspect of life that is good, we can start making the shift back to a good place.

Now, it goes without saying that if you need professional help, get it. It's up to you to take responsibility for giving yourself what you need. It's also within your power to stop dwelling on the bad things you don't want and start focusing on the good things you do want to have in your life.

Put your attention and energy on those thoughts. You'll be amazed at how different the world starts to look when you focus on good stuff. And once you shift your focus, opportunities and helpful people will start popping up everywhere to help move you closer to your positive desires and goals.

So, start now. Pick something that you would like to have in your life. It can be a feeling, a thing or a situation. It could be a feeling of relief, finding a new job that you love, getting a raise, making more tips, buying a new car, having money to repair your car, a new friend, a feeling of peace about a situation, a new home, a trip somewhere, anything! Just focus on what it is you'd really like to have, be or do, and start feeling how it would feel to have it. Just by doing that—feeling the good feelings you'll get from it—you'll automatically start feeling better.

Put your mind to work for you and see yourself happy!

Find your peace and live your joy!