Steps to Shift your Perspective
Well… it happened again. I caught myself in a flap of negative mindset. Sometimes I wonder… why does it seem to take so long to catch myself when I get stuck in one of these hamster wheels of negative thought patterns. Have you ever noticed that?
Sometimes Ed will say something when he notices my negative diatribe before I do. That is usually enough to kick me out of the pattern, and I can start to shift my perspective. I have been a student of my thoughts for many years. I don’t know if I will ever graduate to mastering my thoughts, but I have promised myself to keep practicing. I know that this is also a lifelong practice. There are no shortcuts when it comes to mindset.
It doesn’t help when we are inundated with negative messages from the outside world around us. Just listen to the news. Or to the general conversation at your local coffee shop.
When you turn a frown upside down – it becomes a smile!
Let’s look at the frown.
Over the years, I have found that certain feelings or behaviours will help me recognize when I get stuck in a negative mindset. All of these feelings also carry a low vibration.
1. Anxiety
Anxiety is usually worrying about things that have not even happened yet. Especially about things that might go wrong. The ‘what-if’ kind of questions. Your biochemistry goes bananas with stress hormones with this one.
2. Self-judgement
This is a big one. I challenge you to notice your inner chatter about other people. If you find a great deal of the chatter content is about judging others – too this – or too that… I invite you to ask the question, “is this how I am judging myself?” The answer to this question is usually ‘yes’.
3. Regret
Sometimes we can hold regret for past mistakes for years. Regret is where you may say to yourself, If only… This feeling can be fuel for disconnecting with the heart fodder for self-judgement.
4. Guilt
Guilt that comes from blaming ourselves for situations or events is another source of negative mindset. These are the ‘should have’ or ‘could have’ arguments you may have with yourself.
5. Shame
Shame often arises from feelings of unworthiness, or never enough. It creates a blow to self-image.
6. Jealousy or Envy
This is a tough one. Our collective measure and belief around success comes from comparing ourselves to another. When purpose becomes wanting to be better than another person, then purpose becomes devoid of soul.
There are more feelings that can be added to this list, but these are main ones that can create a downward spiral of negative thinking.
The Frown Upside Down
For over 20 years, I have been helping people create more calm in their lives. The most important thing I learned from working with 
thousands of people really surprised me.
I learned that calm is a permanent part of your being. It can never be taken away from you.
This place of deep calm and peace within you is your source of strength, grace and compassion especially when life gets really challenging.
Most of us forget the deep calm is even there, especially when our daily life gets really chaotic. This brings us to self-care. This course will give you powerful tools for self-care. You are probably already doing some great things. Let’s acknowledge that.
Some of my favorites that are helping to sustain me right now and to reconnect are:
- walks and yoga
- mindfulness
- daily gratitude practice
- daily mantra meditation practice
- working with my sound tools to create relaxation and harmony
- playing music that inspires me
- enjoying some time with my favorite crafts
- connection with my family
- regular chats with friends
STEPS
Step 1: Awareness
Use the frown list above as reminders for when you need a shift in perspective.
Step 2: Challenge every negative thought!
Is this thought true? Is it based on facts and evidence or is it an assumption? Most negative thoughts are based on beliefs or assumptions that are not true.
Am I being hard on myself or overgeneralizing?
Is this thought mine? (for empaths and highly sensitive people, you may be just repeating thoughts or words that were said to you when you were young. It may also be a highly charged emotional thought that you picked up from someone else)
Step 3: Smile at Yourself for being forgetful.
Actually smile! Smiling, even if it feels fake, releases hormones from your nervous system that calms the stress response caused by a negative thought spiral.
Step 4: Ground
Do your favorite activity to move out of your head and into your body. Here are some examples:
- breathe,
- bare feet on the grass,
- rub your arms, legs and feet,
- yoga, taichi, qigong,
- have a warm bath with sea salt in the water,
Step 5: Choose a positive thought or activity.
Gratitude can shift your perspective faster than anything else. Having a regular gratitude practice is even better!
In Health and Harmony,
