I am not my thoughts unless I choose them.
I am not my thoughts unless I choose them,
Unless I invest energy in them.
This simple phrase holds profound truth.
It reminds us that who we are is separate from the constant stream of automatic thoughts flowing through our minds.
These thoughts can feel personal,
Even defining,
But they are not inherently who we are.
The nature of the mind.
I am not my thoughts unless I choose them.
But let's be honest,
Sometimes it feels like our thoughts choose us.
And that's true.
Our minds are designed to absorb us in the content they generate.
That's their job.
Minds want us to focus on the thoughts they produce,
Keeping us occupied,
Problem solving,
Imagining,
Judging,
Comparing,
Contrasting,
Etc.
This is why it's so easy to get caught up in our thoughts,
To look from our thoughts,
Instead of look at our thoughts.
The key distinction.
Looking from vs.
Looking at.
I am my thoughts when I look from them.
I am not my thoughts when I look at them.
When we look from our thoughts we are fully identified with them.
We act as though they define us.
We see the world and ourselves through their lens.
If the thought is self-critical,
We feel worthless.
If the thought is anxious,
We feel consumed by fear.
But when we look at our thoughts,
We can create a space between ourselves and them.
We see them as mental events.
Not the literal truth of what they say,
But just like passing clouds in the sky of our awareness,
Even though sometimes these clouds may be grey and heavy.
The power of energy and awareness.
I am my thoughts when I give them my energy.
I am not my thoughts when I don't give them my energy.
I'm not my thoughts when I don't give them energy.
Thoughts gain power when we fuel them with our attention.
In other words,
When we fuel them with our energy.
Whether we dwell on them or try to fight them,
The result is the same.
They grow stronger.
Dwelling on them or pushing away,
Fighting them,
They grow stronger.
But when we choose not to engage,
When we notice them without getting caught up,
They begin to lose their power.
This is the practice of seeing our thoughts,
Not being our thoughts.
Helpful versus unhelpful thoughts.
Some thoughts serve us,
Others don't.
Helpful thoughts may be kind,
Appreciative,
Creative,
Rational or mindful.
These thoughts can align with our values and help us navigate life with intention.
Unhelpful thoughts.
Unhelpful thoughts can be self-critical,
Judgmental,
Destructive or overly focused on things to worry about.
These thoughts often arise automatically and pull us away from what matters.
A reminder for when struggling with unhelpful thoughts.
For anyone who feels trapped by their unhelpful thoughts,
Know that it's part of the human condition.
We all struggle with unhelpful thoughts and unwanted feelings from time to time.
And so,
Listening to this right now,
Come to know this.
I am my thoughts when I look from them.
I am not my thoughts when I look at them.
Our thoughts are not our identity.
They are just mental events arising and passing.
We weren't born with our thoughts,
They've been programmed into us from the external world.
We have the power to choose which thoughts to engage with and which ones to let go.
I am not my thoughts unless I choose them.
This truth is an invitation to step into the role of the observer,
The part of you that sees your thoughts without being hooked by them.
From this place of awareness,
We can reclaim our energy,
Align with our values and live a life guided by choice,
Not by the automatic chatter of these thinking patterns.
You are the one who sees them,
The one who gets to choose.
