Every Thought Matters: What Are You Thinking?
Ever wonder why you find yourself stuck in a loop of the same situations and patterns?
…this is the power of your thoughts…
Believe it or not, your thoughts impact more than your mind: they create your reality.
The moment a thought pops into your mind, a world of possibilities opens up. You get to choose how to respond. Catching that thought is like grabbing the steering wheel of your life. It is a pivotal moment where you can label it as a helping thought or a harmful one. Your response in that moment determines the impact of the thought.
The Path of a Thought:
A thought sparks into existence.
That thought has the potential to cause an emotion,
Setting the stage for a particular behavior.
If you attach meaning to the thought and let the emotion into your heart,
It dives into your bloodstream,
Carrying with it intentions and hormones that can
Influence every inch of your being.
From the bloodstream, it makes its way into your body’s organs (internal) and even the conditions around you (external), creating a ripple effect. It starts to become a part of you, ingrained in your very being. The outcome? It depends on your initial thought and response of whether it becomes healthy or unhealthy conditions.
Here is where our HEART’s superpower activates. By pausing, checking in with our HEART, and consciously choosing our response, we break free from harmful cycles. It is not just about reacting; it is about intentional response and becoming creators of our reality.
HEART is a simple yet powerful strategy that can transform the way we navigate the twists and turns of our daily lives and choose a healthy way of thinking and being.
The HEART Strategy:
Pause and check in with your HEART:
H - Health
How are you right now? Pause for a mindful moment. Check-in with your body, breath, emotions, and thoughts. It is your internal compass, guiding you to choose how to respond.
E - Environment
Shift your awareness externally. Look around. Is there anything in your environment that POPS (People, Objects, Place, Self) that can support your response? Let the surroundings be your ally.
A - Affirmation
Here is where you get to change your thoughts and interrupt the pattern. Choose an affirmation "I am" statement that aligns with your response like: “I am focused”, “I am open to this experience”, or “I am ready to take action”. Let your words shape your reality.
R - Response
The moment of truth. Your foundation is set – awareness, conditions, and mindset. Now, what is your action? Your response is where it all comes together. Take that step.
T - Transform
After taking action, it is time to reflect. How did you or the situation transform? Was your response helpful? Reflect on the journey, and use those insights for the next adventure.
With HEART, you are not just reacting; you are responding with intention. It is a compass for Heart-CenterED Changemakers navigating the beautiful chaos of our world.
So, next time you sense that familiar weight of a challenging situation, remember: every thought matters. Grab your HEART compass, chart your course, and let's navigate this transformative journey together. Here's to transforming experiences, one HEARTful response at a time!
Reflective Questions:
How can being aware of your thoughts impact your teaching and leading?
What is one step you can take to integrate HEART into your life?
What kinds of thoughts/patterns have been playing in your life?
Is the reality you are living the reality you want to create within and beyond the classroom?
Want to share this strategy with your students?
Purchase my children’s book, The Superpower of Your HEART, and the companion Teacher’s Guide!
Want to explore how to integrate HEART into your life? Let’s Connect!
The Butterfly Within Me Sees, Honors, and Values The Butterfly Within You,
