Steps to Creating YOUR Positive Thought Life

Two weeks ago we looked at “10 Thought Patterns that Rob Your Freedom” based on a course by Shirzad Chamine who wrote the book, “Positive Intelligence.” Then last week we explored the concept of “Pattern Interrupt” which enables us to identify these thoughts and choose to stop them.

But now what? How do you develop a positive thought life? What counteracts these negative thoughts.  Thankfully, Chamine explains that there are actually five simple thought patterns we all possess that can completely replace those that have captured and held us hostage for years.  He personifies these as your Sage, “the deeper, wiser part of you. It’s perspective on any challenge you are facing is that it is either already a gift and opportunity or could be actively turned into one. It has access to five great powers of your mind and taps into those powers to meet any challenge.”  Here are the five positive thought systems:

1.  Explore– the great curiosity we all have that gives us an open mind to consider other new options and opportunities.

2. Empathize– the ability to empathize with yourself and others bringing compassion to every circumstance.

3.   Innovate– the ability to create new perspectives and “outside-the-box” solutions.

4.   Navigate–  the ability to choose a path that best aligns with our deeper core values and mission.

5. Activate– the ability to take decisive action without distress, interference, or distractions from the negative, sabotaging, thought patterns.

After exercising our ability to “pattern interrupt” negative thought patterns, our challenge is to apply the five qualities we all possess above to take a bad situation and turn it around so we can see it as an opportunity. (He explains that grief and the need to grieve is the only exception to this principle.)

We see this when Paul challenges the Philippians,

“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart], (Philippians 4:8 Amplified).

And the truth is that even the worst things in life that seem impossible to overcome can be transformed into something good. We see this exemplified in the “Susan G. Komen Foundation” formed after the death of a loved one due to breast cancer, “Feeding America” began due to children who go to bed hungry throughout our nation, and shelters for domestic violence because of a woman’s tragic experience.

God makes a mighty promise we all can claim daily, “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose,” (Romans 8:28 Amplified).

So, beginning this month let’s identify the thought patterns that distract and defeat us in our desire to experience God’s new, renewed life. Let’s apply a  “Pattern Interrupt” by choosing to stop these thoughts the moment they appear. And let’s start trusting God for a new approach to every circumstance by applying the gifts He has given us to explore, empathize, innovate, navigate, and activate a new and promising positive future today!

Trust me. It works!!! You can finally leave the past behind and step into the future God has prepared for you, your unique destiny, designed and promised by God from the beginning of time!  “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”(Ephesians 2:10 Amplified).