Ever lost hope in yourself? Have high levels of stress ever made you feel emotionally and mentally crippled? How about when it’s self-inflicted, negative thoughts?
Been there. Done that. Many times!
You’ve heard, “Control what you can control,” right?
WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!
Well, I may have figured it out. Sort of.
We already know dwelling on what we can’t change doesn’t do us any good. Under that same breath, it doesn’t mean we can’t ever change anything. We just might not be able to do it at the current moment.
I don’t think we can always lessen the amount of stress we have, but I do believe we can reframe our inner dialogue. In other words, putting just enough of a positive spin on our thoughts where it doesn’t feel inauthentic.
The goal isn’t to sugarcoat our reality. It’s being honest. While at the same time, learning how to use “hope” as our mental sword and shield.
Let me put it this way: If stress or feelings of hopelessness are going to infiltrate my mind, I’m going to put up a hell of a fight! This sh*t is going to turn into a gawt damn BATTLEFIELD.
If our thoughts can act as venom, then it should also be possible for it to become the elixir. Right?
I can’t give you a foolproof answer on how to take away all your stress. However, these are the thoughts I (only recently) started using to reframe my inner dialogue. All by using “hope” as my mental sword and shield.
1) Hope is one of my main tools that creates healing. It is necessary to heal.
2) I can feel awful and still be making progress in my life.
3) I might feel hopeless today, but it doesn’t mean hope is gone. It’s just quieter today.
“Hope” is like a game of hide and seek. Just because you haven’t found “hope” yet, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It could very well be right in front of you. There’s just so much other crap crowding your membrane.
I don’t expect anyone to drastically change their mental outlook overnight. Consider what I tell clients during their fitness journey: Every journey, be it mental or physical, needs a beginning. If you’re at the beginning, or even restarting your journey, you’ve already decided “hope” is possible!
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