There are times when the greatest challenges we face are our own thoughts. We battle with what we know to be common sense and realism replacing it with impossible and unrealistic scenarios.
The way things are is not always the way we would want them to be. But creating and then accepting an alternative reality can make it very difficult to cope in the real world.
The truth may not always be palatable. Our situations may not always be the most desirable. But we must strive at all times to be present.
Being present has a direct connection to changing those things we can change and accepting those things we are unable to change. And it’s very much linked to deciding on what we will allow ourselves to think.
The opposite to being present is to be absent…to refuse to accept the physical and psychological reality that surrounds us. The result is disconnection…and disconnected people struggle.
The objective should always be involvement and involvement begins with self-acceptance. Among other things, that means working on thinking logically.
Illogical and negative thoughts are self-destructive. They are also inevitable. We should not be surprised when such things occur to us. But concentrating on negative thoughts and allowing them to consume our thinking is a choice…a bad choice.
Good mental health is no accident. It takes work. It takes focus. It takes determination. Depending on our starting point, it can take a considerable amount of work. And it can be tiring – physically and mentally.
The maintenance of good mental health can involve considerable vigilance. It’s important to be aware of the triggers that can direct our thoughts in a bleak and unproductive direction. And there can be a lot of triggers.
Self-awareness is key. It can take some time to properly know ourselves…but it’s worth the effort.
Gary Bentley Counselling 