Your mind is very powerful. Yet, if you are like most people, you spend very little time reflecting on the way you think. After all, who thinks about thinking.

But, the way you think about yourself turns into your reality. What you think directly influences how you feel and how you behave.

Whatever dominates your thoughts and imagination becomes reality because thoughts generate emotions, emotions generate interpretations, interpretations generate experiences, and your experiences are your reality.

Most of your thoughts are repeats of the thoughts you had yesterday, the week before, the last ten years …

and because they are so habitual you do not even realize you are having them, or worse, that you are being affected by them.

Your automatic thoughts are your mind’s way of dealing with your past. Your mind generates thoughts as automatically as your breath.

But when you become aware of your breath, you can control it, just like when you become aware of your thoughts, you can control them.

Outside of meditation, you realistically will not be paying attention to your thoughts. You are busy. Pay attention to your feelings instead.

Thoughts generate feelings so whenever you notice a negative emotion, take note of what you were thinking.

The first step toward gaining control of your thoughts is to recognize unwanted patterns. Until you are aware of ways in which you think that do not serve you, you are unable to make positive changes.

Become the observer of your thoughts, as though you were assessing a play. Step back in your mind, listen to inner banter, and notice whether it is a help or a hindrance to your ability to enjoy life.

Hearing your thoughts as an observer might take practice initially since you are used to your inner voice as background noise that accompanies your behavior.

Occasionally, you might notice specific thoughts, especially if you stop what you are doing for a moment and pause.

However, much of your life is spent doing rather than being, by which is meant that you are on autopilot rather than being immersed in experiences with full awareness.

When you are on autopilot, your thoughts still influence your feelings, even though you are not completely aware of their existence.

Thus, if your inner voice persistently informs you that life is negative, you will focus on negativity. Your experiences will reflect your fears that stem from negative thinking.

Practice listening to your inner voice as an observer when you are alone and have space to assess what is happening in your mind.

You might find that as you intently wait for thoughts to flow something odd occurs; your inner voice falls silent. If so, congratulations, as you have discovered the space between thoughts in which peace and healing can arise.

When thoughts do appear, do not judge them. Instead, allow them to occur and simply listen. Recognize whether your inner voice is critical or expresses fear.

Alternatively, your thoughts may be positive and full of gratitude and appreciation.

Thoughts of thankfulness create joy and attract greater happiness into your life. When they form in your mind exaggerate them, and imagine them seeping into your heart region where they gain strength.

If your thoughts are negative, be kind and soothe your inner self with compassion.

Do not become upset or angry when your inner voice is not behaving as you would like. Instead, send forth the feeling of love from your heart, and let negativity fade by focusing on positive topics.

Visit a place that you find peaceful and attractive, and breathe deeply. Become the observer of your thoughts, allowing unwanted inner chatter to fade, and slowly become aware of the beauty of your surroundings.

As you recognize positive aspects of your environment, create thoughts of gratitude.

Continue to look for more factors around you for which you can experience gratitude and form appreciative thoughts.

When you feel uplifted, think about what you want in your life. Inject the feeling of gratitude, which you have already created, into thoughts of your goals.

You will discover that you not only experience positive thoughts often, but they also start to become insightful.

You may have more ideas than usual and notice that your mind has expanded to accommodate thoughts that were previously blocked from forming.

Taking control of your thoughts can make a positive difference to your existence.

When you stop seeing through negative eyes, you will recognize the true beauty of life. You will see that even setbacks are an opportunity to learn and grow, and you will attract the future that you want.