When most people express a desire to change certain habits, they rarely talk about their thought habits. This is interesting when you consider that our thoughts control our actions and behaviors.
It’s simple to say “change your thoughts, change your life.” But how, exactly, do we do this?
It starts with the awareness of your thoughts. Obviously we must become aware of the thoughts we have and recognize the need to change them.
But the change can’t happen on the level of thoughts. If we want to create a lasting change, we must target the problem at its source.
In the language of cause-and-effect, thoughts are an effect. The “cause” of thoughts is what precipitates them: questions.
Buried within the incessant chatter of the mind, if you dare to listen, are questions. We ask questions all the time. Our thoughts are the responses to the questions we ask ourselves.
When you pause in stillness long enough to observe the thoughts, you can generally work your way back to the question that prompted it.
This is like playing a game of Jeopardy! in your mind space. Of course Alex Trebek isn’t there to tell you if you have the “right” question, but you’ll know.
This is a helpful game to play if your thought patterns are not serving you; if you want to change your thoughts you must start with the question that precipitated them.
Change your questions, change your life.