A Mental Exercise Program

How much time do you spend thinking about the past - or the future? Take five minutes to review what you thought about for the previous five minutes. Then see if you can't determine what percentage of time you just spent thinking about the past, the present and the future.

Here is the way it looked for me when I did this simple exercise:
Past thoughts 60%; Present thoughts 10%; Future thoughts 30%

Isn't that revealing? It certainly was to me! And to add to my dismay, I have also learned that about 90% of our thoughts are repetitive. Which means that I am thinking the same thoughts about the past and the future - over and over again! AGHHHHHH!

I am always the type to see the glass half full. So, to take the positive perspective, I stay in the present 10% of every moment. Not too great, but it is a place to start. So how do I shift my thoughts to focus on the present - the moment of Now?

Very simple, really. I just chose to. No bells or whistles, no clapping or heart-renching decisions. Just a simple intention that I practice over and over until it becomes a habit.

Because the way we think is habitual. You have a pattern to your thinking, just as I do. And the only way to change it is to treat it like any other habit. Identify what is unfavorable, make the decision to change, then follow through with action.

A mental exercise program - for the mind!

Try it for seven days, keep a journal to log your progress and see if your mind does not become clearer and more peaceful. Your inner journey is well worth the effort!