Watch Your Thoughts
Hi, I’m Liz Moser, and I'm a Mayo Clinic Certified Wellness Coach.
Last Friday, I was at Whole Foods. The other shoppers were hunched over their carts. They were skittish, nervous, keeping their distance, which I understand is imperative for our health; however, they were also avoiding eye contact and not smiling at each other, and that’s not essential.
The experience was weird, uncomfortable, and ultimately really, really, sad. Fifteen minutes into my shopping trip, I felt my eyes well with tears. I stopped my cart, took a deep breath in and out, and performed a quick exercise I learned from my yoga teacher. I put my left hand on my heart then clasped it with my right hand, and I told myself that in this situation, feeling sad is normal, and I got you. We're going to be OK. This will pass, people will relax again, and we’ll be smiling at each other. Don’t worry. I got you!
I continued shopping, arrived home without purchasing or eating junk food. Later that day, I shared my experience, my wave of sadness, with my partner, and several friends.
Every morning and evening, I pull out this bookmark from whatever daily reader I’m currently in-to. (Right now, it’s Tim Ferriss’s Tribe of Mentors) I made this bookmark several years ago, and it’s one of my primary mantras. It’s a quote from Loa Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher who founded Taoism. The quote reads:
Watch your thoughts,
For they become words.
Watch your words,
For they become actions.
Watch your actions,
For they become habits.
Watch your habits,
For they become character.
Watch your character,
For it becomes your destiny.
Thoughts are powerful! They are the sign at the fork in the road on your journey through life.
The thought, “I’m scared and sad,” while shopping was a sign at a fork in my road. And my two paths were either self-soothing and reaching out to friends and loved ones which I did later in the day or saying screw-it, what the hell, of course, I need to comfort myself with a pint of ice cream or a box of cookies. Yep, I deserve that!
Two different roads to take. Two separate actions, each stemming from the same uncomfortable thought.
One choice, one road, solidifies my current identity or character, as Lao Tzu describes it, while the other decision potentially derails my habits and recreates my destiny or future self.
Maybe it’s one pint of ice cream, and I return to my current routine, or perhaps it's a month of junk food resulting in weight gain, pain, and remorse. Who knows, and I don't want to run the experiment!
Thoughts are powerful! They are the stone cast into the lake that creates multiple ripples. Those ripples are your words, actions, habits, character, and destiny.
Therefore, cultivating mindfulness practices or other centering activities is foundational. You want to catch the thought instead of waking up after a week or a month goes by of unwanted actions that don’t serve your goals and highest purpose.
My hope with this post is to reiterate that all actions originate with a thought, and specifically, unwanted actions originate in uncomfortable, thoughts, and feelings. The human collective is experiencing many unpleasant and anxious thoughts right now. Expect them, even welcome them (I know easier said than done!), and then be kind and loving to yourself as you would to a child, family member, or friend.
Maybe adopt the practice my yoga teacher taught me:
Putting your left hand on your heart, clasping it with your right hand while reassuring yourself with the thought or words, "I've got you. I've got you, and we’re going to be OK.”
Also, shore up your self-care and your mindfulness practices. Not because they eradicate unpleasant feelings. Oh No, trust me, you can’t yoga and meditate yourself out of sadness and fear! Sorry, I wish I had better news for you!
However, self-care and mindfulness practices strengthen your ability to lovingly handle unpleasant thoughts and feelings when they crop up while keeping you connected to your highest self. So, stay connected to yourself while also staying connected to your family, friends, and loved ones. Hey, they need you centered right now, not lost in a haze of processed food!
When you catch the thought early, you can lovingly choose your wisest actions, thereby choosing who you will be in 6 months or a year. Remember, we are never truly alone, despite what our fearful mind might tell us, and we will get through this together.
And lastly, please share in the comments:
What self-care and mindfulness practices are you using right now that keep you grounded and in the present moment?
What quotes or mantras are bringing you peace?
What practices like my two hands on my heart bring you back to a calm, centered state?
I’m Liz Moser, a Mayo Clinic Certified Wellness Coach, and I’m looking forward to reading your comments and learning from all of you. We are in this together.
Thank you for listening to this video, and if you have any questions about this video, or if you have any questions about health and wellness or wellness coaching with me, please contact me through my website at lizmosercoaching.com
Bye for now! Liz
