Stop!

Everyone jumped as I clapped my hands together sharply creating a loud snap. The young woman was vomiting words into the group and no one was paying any attention as she spiraled deeper into self pity. I said, “STOP!” All eyes found me in shocked silence. “What were you saying?” I asked. The confused look in their eyes confirmed what I thought would happen. The spinning thoughts had ceased. “It works just like that.” I went on to explain.
We are under the illusion that we have no control over our thoughts. Actually, our thoughts are very easily influenced. With just the snap of our fingers we can change what circles around in our mind. It is just as easy to think, “I am amazing” as it is to think “I am worthless.” What would you choose? Why would you choose worthless over amazing?
First we identify that we are engaging in distorted thinking. Next we make the choice to stop. Last we challenge the belief with a new statement. That’s the process. Simple yet powerful.
“I am alone and no one cares about me.”
Stop!
“I have many people in my life who care about me and right now I am enjoying the space to discover who I am.”