Throw Out the Magnifying Glass

Throw Out the Magnifying Glass by SIMPLE STEPS

Do you spend your time trying to figure out the why's in life?  When you look in the mirror do you have it set on 10x magnification?  Are you looking for what might go wrong and then of course it does?

For as long as I can remember I have used a magnifying mirror to put on my make-up.  My eyesight isn't great... but isn't that bad either.  For some reason though I have been using the 10x side and of course when I do I find flaws.  Now don't misunderstand the purpose of this blog.  I'm trying to make a point... one that I needed to learn and you may too.  And that point is...

If you examine life under a magnifying glass... you're going to find fault. 

Why?  Because you are looking for it.  We get what we focus on.  And if your focus is on finding what's wrong you do.

It's like sitting down every night and watching the news.  National, local... it doesn't matter.  Sensationalism sells and that is all news programs are about... selling. It's a business.  So you get to see an hour, or more, of all the hideous things that happen in the world.  By the time you're done all you can think about is how bad this world is... and so to you it is. 

If you want to live in a more positive world you have to take a step to create it... for yourself!  You don't have to watch the news.  You can grab the headlines from a website and read more, if you choose... not be inundated by an hour of negativity.  Or you can turn on an inspiring radio station and be uplifted.  That's why our Simple Steps Real Change show is on Empower Radio. 

I choose to be uplifted and hopefully uplifting.  That doesn't mean that I stick my head in the sand when it comes to the hardships in life.  I've been through my share.  Anyone who knows my story could say that I'm a victim of the economy, effected by death, cancer and the a number of other problems. But I am not a victim... because I choose not to be.  I am in control of my attitude. 

While I wouldn't wish the events of my life on my worst enemy... it is because of those experiences that Simple Steps Real Change exists... why tens of thousands of others have joined us. 

We can focus on life's flaws or we can choose to see what makes this life worth living.  And I promise you there is a million times more good in this life... if you just choose to focus on it.   If you are looking to add light into your life... read more on our website, come to our Facebook page or connect with any number of the thousands of inspirational pages and websites offering what might just be the message you need to hear.  When you find what works for you... you'll know it! 

Follow us to the positive side of life... and you'll find it! If you choose to!

Thoughts... Thinking

Thoughts & thinking by SIMPLE STEPS

This is not a picture of me :-) It's time for a mind bending exercise. Do you want to see your life differently? Are you ready? Ok consider this...

"You are not your thoughts, however...
You experience what you think about."

Did you catch that?  It took me a long time to get it and I'm hoping that I can make this simple for you.

We have thousands of thoughts every day.  I for one think about what I want to write about, whether my jeans fit, whether I have enough money to do something, what to make for dinner and so many more.

As we run through the thoughts that come into our mind... they are what they are.  Just a fleeting thought.  It isn't until we focus our attention on them that they become more. 

Let's start with a simple one.  Will I be able to get into my jeans?  If I focus on that though it becomes more like "I won't be able to wear my favorite jeans if I eat these potato chips."  And then, "I deserve to enjoy my food because I worked hard today."  Or maybe even something along the lines of, "You knew better than to eat that... it's going right to your hips and you'll always be fat."

When we focus on what we don't want... we get it. If this had been a fleeting thought... I wouldn't have given it another thought.  But I couldn't let it go... and of course I hate wearing those jeans now. 

If you want to stop a negative thought in it's tracks and focus on what you want try these Simple Steps:

• Write down your thought or belief.  Give it the amount of detail that you did when it came to mind.  If it was like my jeans issue I'd include all the comments that went with it.  Now say to yourself that you've acknowledged the thought and are moving on.  If it comes back to you be kind and say to yourself that you've already dealt with the thought and visualize it floating away and disolving into thin air. 

• Question the thought if has any negative aspect to it.  For example "I will always be fat."  That may feel true to me but it isn't true.  It is a limiting belief and we are unlimited human beings.  Replace the thought with one that works better for you.  For example, "I am working towards a healthier & fit body."  Do whatever works for you to keep that thought in sight.  Whether it is part of a vision board, a stickie note or your new mantra... repeat often. 

• Rather than believing the thought that you are having consider it as an experience that is teaching you something new.  Using my example I consider my current body shape and size as contrast in my life.  When I was married I barely weighed 100 pounds... now I weigh, um, more.  Both extremes don't work for me so I know that I need to find the balance.  I've learned a lesson. 

We can focus on the negative aspects of life and stay in an unhappy place or we can choose to focus on more positive thoughts.  We become what we think so why not think what feels better?  It's a choice... yours!