You Are What You Think

A person’s overall wellbeing is generally measured in two aspects, mental (emotional) and physical. As important as developing a healthy regimen of diet and exercise is, it is equally vital to maintain healthy thoughts. 

Everyone has an inner voice that guides their thoughts and decision making. This voice, or conscience, is influenced by a person’s personality/character, upbringing, and life experiences – naturally, every voice will be a little bit different.

What is thought, spoken, or even dreamt about every day determines who a person is at their core. These things, ideas, or people that we invest time and energy into every day will induce either growth or decay, depending on the quality. According to Buddha, “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”

Unfortunately, taking back control of what you think about can be difficult and time-consuming. Trying to recognize negative or detrimental thoughts and working to replace them with positive ones is a habit that forms just like any other – with extensive, earnest practice. 

One of the most difficult elements of working to govern thoughts that I have experienced is not letting external events or actions determine my attitude. Too often I allow a minor inconvenience to heavily influence my outlook for the day. Thankfully, as time goes by I have gotten better, and staying focused has gotten easier. To quote Marcus Aurelius: “ You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

If you exercise every day and eat a healthy diet, your body will show results. 

If you plant a garden and provide it with the right nutrients, your garden is likely to flourish. 

If you control thing things you consume – news, social media, books, podcasts – and the people you spend your time with, your life will blossom with productivity and happiness.