stinky thinking

This is part two. I want to start out by saying that I don't think this is a simple thing, that I know that there are very difficult problems that affect us deeply. I am not suggesting that we can simply turn on a switch and be happy. What I am suggesting is that we allow destructive thinking to cast a cloud on our lives, and not even know it. I have five kids, and understandably I get tired, it's no secret to all parents that kids will try your patience. The Phrase "try patience" is a tired phrase, it doesn't even begin to explain how parenthood can stretch your mental capacities. So, what happens to me is that I start to get a little grouchy, and become some one I really don't want to be. I have been trying to analyze this process for 15 years, and lately I have noticed that the grouchiness comes, when I start thinking "I'm tired." Or, these kids aren't doing what I want them to do. It becomes all I focus on, how hard my life is, how I just need a break, etc. Maybe I do need a break, but sometimes I get even more focused on the bad stuff when I take a break! So, what is the answer? I believe that it's fighting the thought process. Recognizing and rejecting whatever thoughts are bringing me down. Again, it doesn't mean that I am not legitimately having a hard time. But I can change that subconscious fluff of a thought that comes to me before it becomes a solid emotional thought. I'm still working on the how. What is coming from this is that I need the Lord more than I ever realized. And I believe this applies to all the "bad" thinking (excluding chemical depression and or other mental illness, please don't get offended!) we plague ourselves with. I still have a bad one. I grew up believing that all mistakes are the worst things ever. Consequently, I can look at others and then at myelf, and subconsiously think I am inferior. I know it's a lie. Listen to me all you out there. IT IS A LIE!!! to think you're not good enough. I don't torture myself anymore, but the little thought still squeaks it's way into my brain. There is an endless list of this stuff. We have to learn to fight it. What are the lies you allow yourself to think?
One thing I have noticed as I have been able to overcome these stinky thoughts is that I notice others more, I turn outward instead of inward. Maybe that's the biggest reason Satan whispers the lies to us is so that we will not be able to give each other the support we need. This is a whole subject in itself. I wish I had an endless amount of time to talk about it with some one! Next blog I will talk about how to overcome the bad thoughts, and I would like whoever is reading to comment (now, not later.) and let us know what success you have had in overcoming the "stinky thinking."

Long time no blog! I know there are people out there that are waiting on every word I say! Laugh. There is something that keeps coming up for me and that is thinking. I’m thinking about thinking! That is, how our thinking affects our happiness. And this is one that I want to take my time on for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s a very deep issue, one that I don’t think can be explained in a short blog. Second, I’m sure to offend someone if I simplify it. It keeps coming up with things I see in face book or read about. For example I was reading a great book which talked about forgiveness. The author asserted (through his characters) that our feelings follow our thoughts. This is not the first time I’ve heard this. He said that you have to decide to forgive people. I also remember a book that I myself had never read but someone close to me did has whose author bases his therapy for depressed people on teaching them to think differently. A friend of mine has changed how she feels by listening to hymns in the morning and thinking of the things she is grateful for. I believe this is a true principal. But what I’ve just written only scratches the surface. Because we have thoughts that I don’t think we know we are actually thinking. One might call them our subconscious. This is very hard to describe. And to define what is an actual thought may be even harder. Is it just an analytical thing that comes to my mind? Is it an impulse? Such as when I’m hungry and then think about eating? I can go look for food without ever consciously thinking “I’m hungry” (this is one that comes way too often.) As I write I’m thinking what I’m trying to bring out is that it’s not just conscious analytical thinking that goes on with us as human beings, it’s a spiritual process. We receive some sort of stimuli and our minds start turning, affecting us in some sort of way. If we could be more aware of our thoughts then I believe we could over come so much that brings us down.