Page 123 - Creeative Thinking

Follow these pointers and you'll find it is easier than it sounds.

 Notice when you are thinking and feeling out of "the moment".
 Stop those thoughts by imagining a stop sign in your mind's eye.
 Bring your awareness to your current setting; I am in this room, sitting in this
chair, with these people.
 Let go of those yesterday and tomorrow thoughts and feelings.
 Imagine them floating away inside a balloon and popping high up in the sky.

That's all there is to it. Now all you have to do is remember to follow these guidelines
and your battle is nearly won! Live in the moment!

Another tool that I find extremely useful when attempting to combat thoughts of regret
is to focus on the positive aspects of my life. Instead of focusing my thoughts on “If
only“, I try to think about things I have accomplished.

If you have been feeling less often like a successful person and more often like a failure,
try to make note of some of the things that you have succeeded at.

You can use your journal, if you have one or simply use the space provided at the end
of this chapter. Make yourself a list entitled “Things I HAVE done.” You can write
one or two things on your list every week or you could make an entry every day. Once
you start to focus more on your achievements, the small failures will not be so hard to
swallow. This will give you the courage you need to strive for those things that you
have yet to accomplish.

Another extremely beneficial way of expelling thoughts of regret is something I learned
from watching the Oprah Winfrey show. Oprah uses something called a “Gratitude
Journal” to record things that she is thankful for.

I myself have been doing this for many years and find that it helps tremendously if I
am starting to feel a little blue. Instead of focusing on that which you do not have, this
journal will help you see the abundance in your life.

Several years ago, Dr. A. J. Cronin occasionally prescribed an unusual treatment for
some of his patients who were suffering from the blues and in some cases even full out
depression. He suggested that for six weeks the patient say, "Thank you" for every
kindness he or she received and keep a record of it. According to Dr. Cronin, he had a
remarkable cure rate!

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