Choosing thoughts is Easier than Choosing Emotions

Choosing an emotion as the print asked me to do, is very hard for me. Maybe it is for you too. But, I can choose thoughts that bring me more joy. I added the text to the print in the picture, now I can align with that message!

I was planning a ZOOM presentation on my Mindset Shifting Activities. I was behind schedule , the slides and my speech were not ready, eeek! I was annoyed and nervous. I could not just pick “JOY” as the print asked me to do, but I could pick new thoughts. Gently each day I wrote in my journal: “I am a fun and interactive presentation.”, “My friends appreciate me”, “The slides are beautiful and informative”, “Everything is done in time.” . These thoughts brought me ease and more happiness. I visualized the ZOOM event as positive and fun. And guess what? It was!

I was feeling sluggish and bloated last month. Oh dear, not joyful. I put these notes on yellow stickees and looked at them each day: “ I am fit and healthy”, “I eat nutritious food”, “my clothes fit me well”, “I am healthy and well” New thoughts, more joyful thoughts, boom, easing the worry and fear and moving up the happiness scale. I could not choose joy in the moment, but I could choose my thoughts.

I also have a joy list. When my ego brings me down and I need some joy inspiration I pull out my joy list. My joy list is a list of things, people, events, that bring me happiness and laughs and joy:

Time with High school friends, time with College friends, Birthday dinners, vacations with family, talking to my sisters, talking to my Mom, yoga practice, Barre class, finding a great product for clients, presenting my “Positive Activities”, time at the beach, walking Grace Trail, and so many more. I can always pull it out to create a smile and a good feeling thought. The new thoughts soften the negative thoughts.

When I sell my canvas print it will say: “Choose Thoughts that bring you Joy”

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