25 Mar Do you believe everything you see in the news?
Do you believe everything you read in the newspapers? See in online news sources, or hear on TV or radio?
Do you believe everything other people say?
I hope not!
But before I go on, let me be clear, this post isn’t about “fake news” or conspiracy theories. Quite simply, it’s about the fact that sometimes stories are distorted, mistaken, incomplete or just plain wrong.
And the same is true of our thoughts?
Just because you think something doesn’t mean it’s true. Thoughts are NOT facts! We make mistakes in all areas of our lives including … in our thinking.
So, our thoughts might be mistaken, or based on misinterpretations, or bias as a result of our cultural or religious background or … for any number of reasons.
All of which is OK. We’re not computers, with perfectly rational thinking processes.
But it’s not OK if you believe everything you think because then, at times, you’ll get yourself into trouble as a result of believing something that shouldn’t be believed!
The good news is there’s a solution. And that solution is pretty much the same solution we’d use if we were in conversation with a colleague or friend. You probably don’t just agree with everything everyone says in team meetings, or at the dinner party. Instead, you might (politely and compassionately) … question the other person.
You can also question yourself, your own thoughts. In fact, you should; often!
You could ask yourself … what’s the evidence for this (thought)? Is this really true? or valid? Is there another way to think about this? a way that’s more real and/or more helpful?
Just because you think you’re a fraud or a failure, an imposter or a whatever … doesn’t mean you are! Just because you think the world is a dangerous or terrible place .. doesn’t mean it is (at least not always or everywhere).
Thoughts are thoughts, that’s all. Ephemeral and temporary, fleeting experiences of brain activity. They might be true and useful; but they might not be. Learning to question yourself and your thoughts, to change them to ensure that more often than not, they’re realistic and helpful, is a crucial and powerful strategy for enjoying more happiness, peace of mind, and less distress in the forms of depression and anxiety.