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Six Common Symptoms of Negative Thinking

. . . and What to do About Them
People who seem to have everything going for them all too often sabotage their own success through habitual patterns of negative thinking, say spiritual counselors

Michael C. Rann and Elizabeth Rann Arrott in their new book,Shortcut to a Miracle: How to Change Your Consciousness and Transform Your Life. Rann and Arrott are former, successful advertising and marketing executives who have found that while the value of “positive thinking” is widely recognized, many people limit their accomplishments through patterns of thinking they may not be aware of. Just like any other habit, habitual thought works for us when it’s positive and against us when it’s negative. Their ground-breaking book illustrates the amazing achievements people have realized through changes in their mental attitudes, ranging from a young housewife with six children who “thought her way” into a magnificent, spacious new home to a Swiss patent office clerk who revolutionized the world of science (his name happened to be Albert Einstein). A very common form of negative habitual thinking, Rann and Arrott have found, is “squirrel-caging.” Going over the same thing in our minds repeatedly—again and again—around, and around, and around, but, not going anywhere; not changing anything, just filling our minds with negative thoughts and emotions. Common examples are: • When we feel we were “wronged” or insulted • When we make a mistake or otherwise embarrass ourselves • When we take a strong dislike to someone and mentally criticize everything they do Every time we start “squirrel-caging,” we are recreating and reinforcing the associated negative emotion—usually, shame, embarrassment, anger, resentment or guilt. Sometimes we get caught up in these feelings and can’t seem to break the cycle. Trained thought, Rann and Arrott maintain, is essential to success. It intentionally and consistently focuses on what we want and not on what we don’t want. It is focused; it is intentional; it is habitual; it is positive. Above all, in ways that are nothing short of awesome (yet simply explained), trained thought connects with the Universal Power and Intelligence that created us, allowing It to move in and through our lives in life-enhancing ways. Trained thought lets us express healthy living, abundant living, wonderful relationships, overall success—and, yes, miracles--in our lives. But all that often goes out the window when we get caught up in negative thinking. By paying attention to how you think, you may find that there are a lot of negative thoughts, feelings and emotions directed toward yourself and others. But, because they don’t always appear to carry a strong emotional charge, you may be unaware of them. One negative thought by itself doesn’t seem like much, but negative thoughts that repeat themselves again and again set up fields of negative energy that actually attract negative experiences. Negative thoughts attract more of the same into our world. When you think negatively, you attract more negative thoughts—and soon you’re deep into strong negative thinking. When you’re thinking positively, you go from one positive thought to another and then another, energizing yourself and everything you’re creating in your world.

HABITUAL NEGATIVE THINKINGRann and Arrott have identified six common areas of negative thinking--often overlooked--that can rob us of success. All are habitual ways of reacting to everyday experiences.

1. Complaining. When we complain, in some subtle way we are saying that the problem needs to be “fixed” by someone other than ourselves. And this, of course, implies that we can’t do anything about it. Whether we realize it or not, complaining really reflects a sense of powerlessness. We hope our plaintive cries will activate someone else to solve the unpleasant or unfair situation in which we find ourselves. Instead, aim for a well thought-out and relatively unemotional effort to correct the problem. Concentrate on the solution, not on the problem. Change it, leave it, accept it or forget about it!

2. Blaming. Whenever we blame, we are telling the Universe (and ourselves) that someone else is responsible for the problem. By doing this, we place our power “over there” rather than “right here.” Don’t give your power away by blaming! Take responsibility for your own life. You are not a victim--other than by choice.

3. Self-criticism (in any form). This goes to the very core of our beliefs. The way we treat ourselves in our habitual thinking is a reflection of our current self-image. Since the Universe takes us at our word, if we want life to treat us well, we need to start by thinking positively about ourselves. This can be a big job for many of us, but we can start by making a written list of our qualities and our positive attributes. It is especially important to not criticize ourselves for past behavior. Every time we put ourselves down, we are limiting the positive flow of good into our world. We can be open to success, or we can close it off. When we criticize ourselves, we are telling the Universe that we don’t really deserve good things in our lives. The one who says, “I can,” and the one who says, “I can’t,” are both right.

4. Criticism (of any kind, including gossip). This usually seems so innocuous that it’s hard to imagine it could have a negative impact on our own lives, but whenever we are bad-mouthing another or judging someone else negatively, we are establishing an overall “field” of discord or disharmony in our consciousness, concentrating on what we don’t like or want. • Look for things you like about your experiences
• Look for things you admire about people
• Make sure your suggestions are constructive and loving

5. The “Could’a, Should’a, Would’a” Syndrome. This syndrome is common in many people who beat themselves up over something that happened in the past. Another expression of this syndrome is to look back and say, “If only this,” or “If only that.” Guilt and regret are subtle attempts to change the past. We can’t redo the past—but we can change the way we look at it, and we can learn from it, so that we no longer use it as an excuse for limiting our future.

6. Envy. When we envy someone for what they have, we are subtly telling ourselves that not only don’t we have that, but even more importantly, we probably won’t ever have it. Consider two people both looking at the same beautiful home. One thinks, “Ah, that’s gorgeous! One day I will own a home at least as beautiful as that.” The other thinks, “Look at that beautiful home. It almost makes me ache inside to see it. I’d love something like that, but I know it won’t happen.” The first person is mentally accepting (or “claiming”) an equivalent home for themselves, while the second is mentally separating themselves from it because they don’t believe it’s possible for them. Both are probably right. When we envy someone for what they are, we are actually putting ourselves down big time! We may not realize it, but we already do have the same quality as that other person or we wouldn’t be able to recognize it.. Learn to admire people for what they are, and know that you, too, can accomplish wonderful things consistent with your own unique essence and desires.
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