We don’t see things as they are; we see them through the lens of our perception and thoughts. The human brain is a remarkable powerhouse that can work for you or against you, depending on how well you manage it. As our co-founder Ryan S. Gallik says, “It’s important to manage your mind; otherwise, your mind may begin to manage you.”
Did you know that the human brain can have up to 70,000 thoughts per day? These thoughts can range from intentional to automatic, deliberate to involuntary, and they can greatly influence our emotional state and behaviors. We can develop assumptions, biases, self-doubt, feelings of worthlessness, and other negative emotions that are often not based on truth. We must strive to live in truth!
The reality is that we don’t perceive situations and circumstances as they truly are. Instead, we see them through the filter of our upbringing, culture, and the way we have conditioned (or failed to condition) our brain. Allowing negative perceptions and thoughts to creep into your psyche can have adverse consequences, causing individuals to become dysregulated and altering brain and body chemistry.
As our co-founder Michael L. Stahl says, “It’s never too late to be who you always wanted to be.” We can and should learn how to live in truth, so we can better manage our minds and prevent our minds from managing us. The next time you have a negative thought or cognitive distortion, try living in truth by asking yourself:
- Is this thought even true?
- What evidence do I have that this thought is true?
- How would I feel if I didn’t have these thoughts?
- If I shared this thought with a trusted friend, how would they help me live in truth and identify that it’s most likely a negative thought that is NOT based in reality?
Remember, “Resilience is not a genetic trait. It is derived from the ways individuals learn to think and act when faced with obstacles. Thus, people can be trained to be more resilient.” – The Science of Resilience by The Mental Hygiene Project®
By harnessing the power of perception and thought, and learning to manage our minds effectively, we can cultivate better mental health, resilience, and overall well-being.
