Though I try to maintain positive thought all the time, there are times when negative thoughts strike me. And when they do, they can sometimes grow wild and conquer my whole mind. At such times, the positive state of my mind seems to be out of reach.
Well, of course such situation should not happen. Now I think there is a good way to deal with it. There are actually only two steps to get rid of those negative thoughts:
- Flee
- Fill
Very easy to remember right ? Flee and fill. Flee and fill. And what does it mean ?
- Flee
First of all, we must flee from all those negative thoughts. Don’t pay attention to them, don’t talk to them, and don’t argue with them. Just flee and run away ! Leave all those negative thoughts and go. - Fill
Now that we have fled from all those negative thoughts, we must fill our mind with something so that those negative thoughts won’t come back. Naturally, fill our mind with positive thoughts. This is one reason why having a quote of the day is a good thing. This way we always have something handy to fill our mind with.
Remember, you cannot go to step 2 without doing step 1 first. It’s useless to try to fill your mind with positive thoughts if you still carry all those negative thoughts with you. Throw them away first and then you’ll be ready to fill your mind with positive thoughts.
Of course, the hardest part is step 1. We must initiate to flee. But it’s possible that we do not realize that our mind is conquered until it’s too late (for example, until we make stupid decisions). To anticipate this, here is what we need to do:
- Watch our mind continuously
The goal is we must be aware of the current state of our mind. If negative thoughts start striking, we must be aware of it. Don’t let our mind flow freely outside our awareness. - Make firm decision
When there is an indication that negative thoughts are coming, make a firm decision that we want to flee from them ! There’s no other way, we must make decision. This way our mind is conditioned to flee from those thoughts. And after that, stick with our decision. Flee. Go. Run away. And don’t forget to continue to step 2, that is filling our mind with positive thoughts.
These simple tips are useful for me. I hope they will also be useful for you. Good luck !
Comment by Peggy
#1 18. March 2008, 2:42 pm o'clock |
great article and great advice.
This reminds me of Gods word about guarding our hearts and minds through CHrist Jesus, for out it flows the wellspring of life.
The knowing and the doing are 2 different things.
Comment by Donald Latumahina
#2 19. March 2008, 9:41 pm o'clock |
Thanks, Peggy! You’re right, knowing and doing are two different things.
Comment by I am Me
#3 5. March 2009, 1:42 am o'clock |
Peggy? You are a saved Christian? It’s really great to find one here on a public forum. God Bless you.
Comment by Peggy
#4 6. March 2009, 7:33 pm o'clock |
I Am Me,
Hello, and thanks for commenting. Yes, I am a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ. He is able!
Comment by GIRISH G
#5 5. May 2009, 11:17 pm o'clock |
Ohh My god…you are absolutely right…!!
I had a little confusion on this part and you have answered my questions in a simple manner…I more charged now…
Just to add on, the negative thoughts, I mean step-1 badly attracts your mind (which may lead to wrong decisions or something like that) and its a tough process to get out of it, but its definately possible as you have said
Comment by Darla
#6 23. May 2009, 8:15 pm o'clock |
Wow hope this helps cause right now my family is full of negative thougts ,cause we our haveing money promplems . And well my dad is trying to find a Job anyway thanks
Comment by Robin
#7 28. May 2009, 6:21 pm o'clock |
Robin,
I have negative thoughts a lot. I have learned from reading this
article that dont let the negative thoughts control you. So I
will try this. Life is wonderful its what you make of it.
Comment by lue
#8 23. June 2009, 3:41 am o'clock |
ok but i can’t just flee out of these negative thoughts, there must e something that can help me. seriously i need to have a good time or these thoughts will kill me me, help!!
Comment by abs
#9 11. August 2009, 8:42 am o'clock |
this article is really helped me a lot to over come fron negative thoughts,even though step 1 is very difficult some how i am keep trying in that.
Regards,
ABS
Comment by Puneet G
#10 18. August 2009, 4:47 pm o'clock |
You make it sound easy and I have been trying to flee but really not succeeding much. There is some success but the negative thoughts come and it takes me sometime to realize that I have been weaving my life around them(in my mind). I understand what it means by them taking over life. I’ll keep trying though it becomes too difficult at times.
Comment by Katz
#11 27. September 2009, 10:18 am o'clock |
you know guys, doing something for the first time is never easy. I am also trying to keep my mind away from somebody’s thoughts but remember, do not force ur mind to quit thoughts. Be real and do not ponder over past memories. If you are confused, leave it and then see, if it makes you grossly uncomfortable for a long period of time, then go back. I gave myself a month’s time and recovered in a week! Once you take a decision, stay with it. Don’t show to other’s that you are a peice of meat for them. Be assertive strong yet polite and humble.
Comment by daniel
#12 15. November 2009, 3:03 pm o'clock |
negative thoughts are like hungry lions,they come full prepared and
and they can eat you alive if you are not prepared,i have tried this so many times but it is like we are 2……there is this guy inside who i need to get rid of for good…thank you for the advice
Comment by Mike
#13 28. November 2009, 3:56 pm o'clock |
Hi, I have been battling with negative thoughts my whole life. I know it stims from my childhood. I had a very negative judgemental childhood. It almost seems that thinking negative comes so naturally. But, I do know the power of thinking postive. I conditioned myself to not even reconize the negative thoughts. About 2 weeks ago I went on vacation back to my hometown, I was fine for about 2 days. After that I was sticken with my old thought patterns and all of my old negative feelings came right back and I started listening to them. Now I’m in a struggling again to get that positive outlook back. I was strong before I left. Its like a lost feeling, I get fustrated trying to get back that. This is my life and it is very short, I have to grasp whatever joy I can get. I just wish I had a switch that could turn on and embed that in my mind. I know exactly what each one of you feel. Its a dark place that seems to have know hope. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN CHANGE IT. I know it is easier said then done. Don’t ever give up, it will get better.
Comment by Lori
#14 26. January 2010, 3:29 pm o'clock |
I have been fighting negative thoughts and have been unsuccessful, but recently I have been more aware of my neg thoughts, I’ve been noticing my children’s negativity, wow what a wake up call. I have found these sites to be great and meditation has been working a little, but this flee thing and quotes are so on. I’m taking my first step today and I’m going to put all neg things and an illness that doesn’t have to be debilitating if I can wake up and get off to a positive start, thank you for sharing your stories and comments, it does help when family is burnt out from all my emotions and I will take responsibility for my day.
Comment by mel
#15 20. May 2010, 3:36 pm o'clock |
i can so relate to what everyone is saying here, it’s sort of nice to know i’m not alone in this! I’ve been struggling with negative thoughts for about 6 months now, but only just really realised it a couple of weeks ago, and now it seems to be worse because i feel constantly paranoid that they’re going to be plaguing me. Everytime i make a breakthrough it doesn’t last, and it’s just so hard to get out of the cycle. I feel like this is ruining my life, it’s taking control and its putting me so far from the happy, optimistic person i used to be. But reading all the stories and comments has brightened me up a bit, i will keep trying, keep fighting for positivity and my life back :)
Comment by claire
#16 29. June 2010, 12:28 pm o'clock |
i’m so glad i’m not the only one out there having these silly thoughts!
I often find i can go up and down daily with these thoughts, having made progress during the day of not paying attention to the negative thoughts and feeling more optimistic and positive for the future, only to have one single, tiny thread of random thought pop in to compleatly ruin a great day!! sometimes it’s as if i’m doing really well and my brain reminds me what i was thinking about before , then the vicious circle starts again! mine started a month after i lost my father and instead of my grieving for him , i’ve been lured into thinking stuff that’s complete nonsense ( i know this) and it’s unsettling, it’s an ongoing battle, one which i’ll win (eventually) and i think trying this will help me to keep positive and happy!! keep strong everybody i’ll be thinking of you all xx
Comment by starryeyes
#17 16. July 2010, 5:52 pm o'clock |
Hi there,
I suffer with these stupid thoughts (negative thoughts) too. The day would be going great them one thought would ruin it and I’m then on a slippery slope.The thoughts can be crippling, but I dont let them grow, so I use this method today and it worked!!!Flee and feed!Instead of sitting there(frozen) and talking about my feelings,thoughts etc. I kept busy so I didnt have time to be so self -obsessed. I think its a great method, keep trying it guys, it works for me, I’m sure it will work for you too! Keep at it,its a battle but you will end up stronger…….
Comment by jayakumar
#18 10. August 2010, 11:40 am o'clock |
my mind is full of negative thoughts and negative attitude its include full of negative things like sex and incest and always doubts with friends
and not confident with anyone i always losing everything bcoz of negative feelings in my mind
how can i get rid off negative thoughts in my mind
plz mail to me
jayakumargenius@gmail.com
i hope u will help me soon to better improvement in my life
thank u to al bye take care