Transforming Negativity

May 18, 2008

Dear Friends,

As I often mention, one of the primary keys for living life in the divine flow is maintaining a positive frame of mind. For many of us (perhaps most of us) that can be quite a challenge, because we have been conditioned for much of our lives to automatically doubt and distrust. Unfortunately, that negative mind-set makes us less open to divine direction, and so we often miss or dismiss the divine opportunities that the flow is attempting to present to us.

I wish there was a simple switch that I could flip that would instantly transform negativity into positivity—darkness into light. But I haven’t found that “light switch” yet. For me, transforming a thought based on fear into a thought based on faith is a process. And as I examine that process, I can see that there are several identifiable steps that I usually take.

Today, I offer you my personal process for regaining a positive attitude. If you are plagued by chronic worry and negativity, perhaps it is because you not taking one or more of the following steps:

1. I accept the fact that I am having a negative thought, and I don’t judge myself harshly for that. Judging myself just keeps me in that part of my mind—the ego—that thrives on fear and worry. Like I mentioned earlier, considering the way that many of us have been conditioned, a less-than-positive outlook on life is understandable.

2. I move into a more objective frame of mind by literally saying to myself, “Oh, I’m having a thought that (fill in the blank).” In other words, I don’t resist the thought, which just causes it to persist. Instead, I simply observe the thought without becoming attached to it.

3. In that more objective frame of mind, I am usually able to see the extreme, false, or unfounded nature of my thought, and easily discard it.

4. If the thought continues to remain with me because it still seems reasonable or likely, then I judge its reality based on my past experience. When I do that, I usually realize I have had a thought like this before, and what I feared did not actually happen . . . or it did not happen to the degree that I imagined. Often, in fact, my most fearful moments have set the stage for something really good to occur, instead.

5. Based on my experience, I then replace my negative thought with a more positive one. But more importantly, I affirm for myself what I know to be true in both my experience and in my heart: That I live in a beneficent Universe that is continually supporting me, protecting me, and guiding me to my highest good. I remind myself that I am constantly being offered celestial assistance, and I remember that my job is mainly to be open and receptive to divine direction.

6. Finally, I recognize that it is impossible for me to control every single aspect of life. So I simply return my attention to whatever is right in front of me at the moment—like driving the car or working in the yard—and I give thanks that while I am taking care of what is in my control, the Universe is handling everything else on my behalf.

All steps aside, there is only one thing you ever really need to remember, and that is this: “Everything can be a stepping stone to your highest good, if you are willing to look at it that way.” But if that is simply not enough to instantly “turn on the light” for you, then I hope the steps I have outlined above—like turning up a dimmer switch—will at least help you shed more and more light on any negative or worrisome thought you are currently struggling with.

Blessings!

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow