Last update: January 10, 2017
After the success of the book “We are what we eat”, today we present a more psychological version: “we are what we think”. An undoubtedly intuitive title, which invites us to reflect once again on the relationship between our thoughts, what happens to us and the definition we have of ourselves. Our mind, in all this, exerts enormous power over us, exploiting the cognitive material it has at its disposal.
Our thoughts can change the way we behave, the decisions we make and the feelings we have. In other words, they have a lot more influence on us than we think.
The mind: nemic or alleata?
It depends. From what? As we think! You often say "I'm tired, I can't take it anymore", and immediately afterwards feel the need to sleep for three days in a row. Don't forget that body and brain work to please us, and the former tends to do so especially in the short term. At the same time, they can turn out to be real lamp geniuses capable of obeying their master's wishes without protesting.
Unlike what we believe, it is not people who tell us how we should behave or feel… quite the opposite! We are responsible for what we feel. It is not good to blame the circumstances, the politics, the economy or our boss… it all resides within us. While it is much easier to seek out the responsible person, by doing so we will not have the opportunity to learn, change and improve.
Everything is in the mind
Marathons are one of the endurance tests that require more physical but also mental effort. In addition to requiring good physical preparation, in fact, they also need good mental training. How come? Because it is precisely when the body can no longer take it that the brain comes into play, helping us to continue ...even when the pain is so strong that it cannot be relieved in any way.
There is no need to become a marathon runner to put this theory into practice. Think of all the times you were about to give in to sleep, fatigue or boredom victims of a routine, but you said "I can do it", "I'm fine", "I'll get to the end". Probably at that moment you have pulled out an energy bonus - which is not due to a cup of coffee - to carry on with your task until it is finished.
It is not even about being the most positive people in this world or spending your life looking for the glass half full in every situation, but being aware that there are thoughts that help us and others that can be harmful. Stop paying attention to what is irrelevant, instead focus on what really matters. If a million things are whirling in your head, take the time to solve them one by one and move on to the next task.
The mind also accepts the irrational
If you can't sleep because your mind is a whirlwind of ideas, always keep a notebook handy and take advantage of this creative storm to find solutions to some of those problems. Don't waste your good energy brooding over bad things that have happened to you. Instead, take advantage of your time and resources to find solutions to your problems.
Remember that not everything has to be rational… treat yourself to a bit of improvisation in life! Although there are elements irremediably based on logic, there are many others linked to emotions, sensations and intuition.
Learn to live in uncertainty, albeit in minimal doses. Make decisions that involve a certain level of risk, consider mistakes as the rules of the game. Avoid putting unnecessary pressure on yourself and accept that you are imperfect… thus you will reduce the levels of anxiety and fear and, consequently, the chances of making mistakes.
How to take advantage of one's thoughts?
A great exercise that can be helpful in eradicating negative ideas is to laugh at what happens to us. How absurd our thoughts are sometimes! Looking at the fun side of things can help release some tension and learn to find the positive in any situation.
Do you usually have a chat with yourself? Do you walk down the street arguing in your mind? Do you speak to your reflection in the mirror as if you are not alone in that room? Don't get lost in the web of games your mind prepares for you… they are a trap! Those thoughts are definitely negative, temperamental, and selfish, and just try to make you feel sad, distressed, angry, or vindictive.
By ignoring those words and instead focusing your attention on a distinct point, then you can finally gain control over your mind, preventing you from being guided only by inertia. You will regain control over the most powerful tool you have by deciding for yourself which cognitive material to feed it, so that it, together with your body, is fine.
"Our life is the result of our thoughts."
-Marcus Aurelius-
