When I first started this site, I was going through a hard time in my life. I had suffered an accident and I was battling the depression and isolation that being physically impaired can bring. The only true source of expression I had was my journal. My journal has always been an outlet for me to release all the stuff that is within me.

For the most part, I have written daily in a journal since I was a teenager and I often go back and read entries from years ago. Whenever I go back and read some of the entries from my journal I can reflect and see the lessons I have learned.

Recently, I did just that, I went and read some of my old journal entries.  One of the things I noticed was one of the opening lines I most often used. That line is “It’s a brand new day and I have a choice in how I will perceive it.” This opening statement from my journals is what I want to talk about today.

We have a choice in deciding which thoughts we will entertain.

Many years ago, I decided the kind of person I wanted to be. Some of the things I wanted to embody were:

• Being a kind-hearted person
• Being loving and compassionate
• Being true to myself
• Seeing the beauty in all things

I also wanted to manifest some other things in my life. Things such as:

• Increasing the prosperity in my life
• Improving my health
• Living a happy and fulfilling life

So, how does this relate to how I perceive my day or the thoughts I choose to entertain?

Living In Integrity

What I’ve come to understand is if we choose to entertain thoughts that do not align with what we say we want, we are causing a conflict. This conflict will cause unease in our subconscious minds.  This is because we are not living in integrity.

The definition of integrity is to be complete or undivided.  It means being whole and doing the same as what you say.

If we say we want to be happy, loved, and blessed, then entertaining thoughts like:

• “Here I go again, to a job that pays shit”
• “I don’t want to do this today”
• “Damn, it’s raining. I hate rainy days”
• “Peter, Barbara, Sue, or Harry is so stupid.  I can’t stand him/her”

are in contradiction to what our intentions are.

How do we fix this?

Think Differently. It’s that simple!

Contrary to popular belief, we can choose our thoughts. You simply must become aware of your internal dialogue. When you notice yourself entertaining negative self-talk replace it with thoughts that are more positive and uplifting.

You must do this if you want to succeed in life. Saying you want something and then acting and thinking in contradictory ways will never garnish you the results you seek.

But What About The World Around Us?

Being aware of our thoughts and actions can be quite difficult at times.  Why? We’re all sleepwalking. Most of us are so busy paying attention to the things we don’t want, that we fail to pay attention to the thoughts and actions that might be causing those things in the first place.

The sad thing is that we might not even be aware of it. We have been thinking the same thoughts and acting in the same way for so long that it has become second nature.

In our society it’s become a habit to think negatively and to act with anger as the backdrop of our being.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn.

If you want a clue about how you think and act, look at the people you hang out with.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do they exude happiness and joy?
• When you see them, do they express enthusiasm, or do they go into a rant about how badly everything is going in their lives?
• When they talk about others, do they uplift them or tear them down and belittle them?

Be sure to surround yourself with loving, caring, enthusiastic people and it will rub off on you. Don’t hang out with negative people. Avoid them like the plague.

Now, before anyone gets the idea of bashing me and saying things like, well aren’t we supposed to help others? Aren’t we supposed to influence people and help them change?

My answer to that question is if you’re try to help people just make sure you are strong enough and grounded enough in your own beliefs. Otherwise, you will be sucked into that energy.

Here are some clues to see if you are making a difference in people’s lives:

• When they start on a rant about how everything is going wrong, do you just agree, nod your head? Or, do you divert them by pointing out some good things?
• When people starts gossiping or belittling others, do you join in or laugh at what’s being said? Do you remain silent and just wait till it’s over?  Or, do you speak up and say something?

If you do nothing to counter negative energy with positive energy, then you are not making a difference. You’re just allowing your energy to be depleted. If you are not strong enough, it would be more beneficial if you sent your love and prayers to these individuals from afar then be around them.

We are only human and I’ve fallen victim to the pressures of society too. I get so angry with myself when I catch myself falling into the negativity. It can be hard sometimes. People criticizing, and judging others has become the norm.
Here’s an example:

You’re with a group of people and a woman passes by. She might be a little heavier than most in the group and she’s wearing a blouse that does not flatter her.

Right away, someone makes a comment or rolls their eyes for everyone to look at this poor woman. Everyone laughs and then everyone continues to pick this woman apart.

Her weight and unflattering blouse are only a gateway for them to pick on her hair, her shoes, her smile, laughter, or mannerisms.

In most cases, this starts a series of more abuse for other unsuspecting individuals.

What Can We Do?

Most of the time, when this happens, I’d say aww or shake my head. But sometimes I’d fall into that energy and laugh. Remember, we’re only human. I rarely contribute verbally, but my laughter only condones the situation.

I usually catch myself and internally I’ll say I’m sorry. Sending love and compassion to the individual. On occasion, I’ve said I’m sorry aloud and someone would hear me and ask why I said sorry. When I explain my reasoning to that person, I’ve made a difference. It might have only been to that one person, but it is a difference.

Becoming an expert in your life means being responsible for the energy you contribute to the world.

You can say anything you want, but if your thoughts, words, and actions are not in alignment with your intentions, then you are only fooling yourself. For all practical purposes what others see is what we are. Living an ineffective, or inauthentic life may be troubling to you, but it is the way others perceive you as well.

You must be congruent in your everyday living. This occurs when your thoughts, feelings and behavior are consistent and in alignment. And you do this by claiming how you will perceive the world and deciding which thoughts you will entertain.

There Is No Finish Line

This is a never-ending process. Our souls are vast and more expansive than we could ever imagine. Often you discover something about yourself and make the necessary changes, and something else pops up. Try not to hate the process.

At times it can feel a bit stressful and overwhelming. It can feel like you’re always trying to fix something about yourself. That’s the problem right there. You’re not fixing yourself. This is the process of rediscovering who you were prior to being influenced to think otherwise.

We’ve been conditioned and programmed by the world so much that we’ve forgotten our innate natural innocence and loving kindness. Being patient with yourself is very important.

Life’s about the journey not the destination.

We can do this!

If you have anything to add please leave a comment below.

I’d love to hear what you gotta say about it.