RE: how has our mind evolved to think negatively? @bruce

[Guest guest]

a thought in itself is not necessarily upsetting. it is just string of words and images that our mind generates. can u perhaps c the thought for what it is in it's true form, instead of what it is telling u? a thought does not havta dictate ur behaviour or push u around or even be upsetting, unless we let it upset us. But can we not give it that much power? remember the quote that goes something like "no one can insult u without ur permission". If we apply the same rule to our thoughts and feelings, then we'll realize that no matter how intrusive/painful our thoughts and feelings, we still have the choice to react to them the way we would like/want to. wasalaam:-)-K Designs."" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.

That way, when you criticize them, you're already a mile away AND you have their

shoes." ~ a very pious intellectualTo: ACT_for_the_Public From: onebnz@...Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 12:38:45 -0800Subject: Re: RE: how has our mind evolved to think negatively?

I am totally lost in negative thoughts today. One "true" thought after another keeps coming up for me. And then I struggle mightily with trying to diffuse but I always have the hidden agenda of trying to change the feeling. At least I believe I want to get a little distance from the upsetting thought so it won't be quite so upsetting and I won't feel so bad. I think Russ talks a lot about the negative mind in the Happiness Trap. I have always had the tendency to look out for problems and that by itself isn't so bad. What's bad for me is the fusion with a thought and then the crushing anxiety or depression that follows from it. But it's not always that way for me. Sometimes there is just emotion without words and that's always negative for me these days, too.Bruce