Happy Hump Day! I'm running a little slow on saying hello this week...
So here's a good midweek thought to ponder: What if you could train your brain to think more positively? To actually notice more of what's good in your life and spend a little less time dwelling on what's not?
If you've been here awhile, you probably know I'm going to tell you, "You can!"
I came across a short video of an Olympic athlete talking about neuroplasticity (our brain's ability to change and adapt throughout our lives), and I had to share this little reminder with you.
In the video, she makes a powerful statement:
"You can control how you think and therefore you can control who you are."
And I'd add that by changing how you think, you can shape much of how you experience life.
Watch the short video here.
I love that thought. Because while we can't always control what happens to us, or even the thoughts that first pop into our heads, we can become more intentional about which thoughts we choose to focus on.
And the more we practice, the more natural those thought patterns can become.
One of the most powerful tools I've found for doing this is gratitude. I've used it in all sorts of ways for years, and I believe it's one of the reasons I'm a pretty optimistic person most days.
Over the next four weeks, leading up to Thanksgiving, I'd love to share some of the ways I've learned to use gratitude in everyday life. We'll take gratitude beyond the journal and explore how to use it as a practical tool that can change how we experience our days.
In the meantime, here's a little experiment for you.
The next time you catch yourself complaining, worrying, or dreading something, pause for a moment and ask yourself:
"What else could I choose to focus on right now?"
You don't have to pretend everything is wonderful. Just see if you can find something good to appreciate alongside whatever is bothering you.
After all, we may not always get to choose our circumstances, but we can often choose how we look at them—or how long we dwell on them.
Wishing you a beautiful rest of your week!
Julie
P.S. Know someone who could use a little more positivity in their life? Forward this email their way. Sometimes a small shift in perspective is just the reminder we need. 💛
I shift my focus to what lifts me up!
What We Loved This Week
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