Exercises
Use Precision In Your Speech
Watch for exaggerations and be very precise in the words you use. Refrain from using exaggerated words to describe the weather, or the traffic, the weight of a bag, expressions of effort, 'I was about to die; It was killing me'. Reflect on how you speak about other people. If you cannot stop yourself before speaking, then think about it afterwards.
Heightening Your Awareness of Contagious Negativity
Be aware of negative influences affecting you. Pay closer attention to what people around you say and what you say in response. Observe the negativity that comes to expression in everyday rhetoric, especially colloquialisms and automatic remarks.
Identify the negative thoughts and expressions that are permeating your life. Do not participate in those conversations.
Avoid brushing anything off as harmless. For example, the statement; “The weather is going to be terrible this weekend,” although possibly true, ruins the weekend before it begins. The weather is what it is, just adapt.
Or; "I can't take it, it's going to kill me if that happens." That’s a great exaggeration that just makes one worry far more than necessary with a very negative emotional cloud overhead.
Observe Your Own Actions, Opinions, Comments; Live With Integrity
Are your preferences yours or are you going along with others even though you may disagree or doubt that this is the best opinion?
Observe what makes you do and say the things you do. For example, if people are speaking badly about someone, do you just join in without thinking? Or, about the weather. Perhaps it is Monday or Friday morning and everyone is complaining about feeling tired and you robotically agree, even though you do not feel tired.
This exercise will help you gain control over your life rather than living like a sheep, thinking what other people tell you to think while believing that you are independent.
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