Introduction
Conscious awareness of our thoughts and their influence on our actions is crucial for personal growth and development.
Through self-awareness, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and make intentional choices that align with our values and goals.
However, our thoughts can also be used against us, leading to self-doubt and negative self-talk.
Many of us navigate through the journey of life on autopilot, going through the motions without truly being present in the moment. It's a common experience, one that I myself have gone through and continue to work on every day to achieve a deeper level of conscious awareness.
We often find ourselves waking up and immediately reaching for our phones, mindlessly scrolling through notifications and messages before even fully waking up. Our morning routines become a blur of habitual actions, our minds preoccupied with the same thought patterns that have been ingrained within us for years.
As we go about our day, interacting with others and fulfilling our responsibilities, these thought loops continue to run in the background, shaping our perceptions and responses to the world around us. It's a cycle that can be difficult to break free from, but with dedication and mindfulness, we can begin to cultivate a greater sense of presence and awareness in our daily lives.
The problem? When thoughts run in the background unchecked, we repeat the same patterns, make the same choices, and get the same results. If you’ve ever felt stuck, like your life keeps circling back to the same struggles (in love, career, or personal growth), it’s because your brain is running on outdated programming.
You can’t change what you’re not aware of.
Today’s focus is about waking up—to your thoughts, your beliefs, and your default mental patterns. By interrupting autopilot mode, you create space for new insights, new perspectives, and new results.
In this blog post, I will explore the importance of conscious awareness and how we can use the tool of thought to empower ourselves.
“Your thoughts will determine where you go, but first, you have to realize you’re thinking them.” – Unknown
Understanding Conscious Awareness
Conscious awareness is the ability to perceive, feel, or be conscious of events, objects, thoughts, emotions, or sensory patterns. It involves being present in the moment and observing without judgment. It's using one or more of your five senses to wake up to here and now.
Why is it important?
By developing and nurturing conscious awareness, we have the opportunity to deepen our understanding of ourselves, other people and the world around us.
An increased level of awareness enables us to navigate our thoughts, emotions, and interactions with greater clarity and purpose. When we are able to fully engage with the present moment, we are better equipped to make choices that align with our values, morals, principles, and goals. In doing so, we can break free from the limitations of our past experiences and biases, allowing us to approach challenges with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of empowerment. Instead of reacting impulsively or non-consciously, we can respond thoughtfully and intentionally, guided by our inner wisdom, gut and intuition (or what ever you believe, God, Spirituality).
By embracing a mindful approach to life, we can cultivate a sense of presence and authenticity that allows us to live more fully and authentically.
The Tool of Thought
Our thoughts have the incredible ability to influence every aspect of our lives, from our actions to our emotions. They act as the lens through which we view the world, coloring our experiences and shaping our reality. By harnessing the power of our thoughts, we can cultivate a positive mindset that propels us forward towards our goals and dreams.
When we consciously choose to focus on uplifting and empowering thoughts, we align ourselves with the limitless potential that resides within us. These thoughts act as a driving force, motivating us to take action and overcome any obstacles that may stand in our way. With a mindset rooted in positivity and self-belief, we can achieve incredible feats and surpass our own expectations. This isn't pixie dust and sawdust, this is learning to develop bulletproof mental and emotional health.
Conversely, when we allow negative thoughts to dominate our minds, we effectively sabotage our own progress and hinder our personal growth. Self-criticism, doubt, and fear can paralyze us, preventing us from reaching our full potential and living a fulfilling life. It is crucial that we recognize the power of our thoughts and actively work towards cultivating a mindset that serves us, rather than hinders us.
By understanding and harnessing the power of our thoughts, we can unlock our true potential and create the life we desire. It all starts with a simple shift in perspective and a commitment to nurturing positive, empowering thoughts. With dedication and mindfulness, we can transform our reality and manifest our deepest desires.
The power lies within us - all we have to do is tap into it.
Using the Tool of Thought for Yourself
To harness the power of your thoughts for yourself, start by practicing self-reflection and doing the things that help you access a calm, peaceful mind. This is different for everyone.
Examples include meditating, journaling, spending time in nature, engaging in creative activities (art, creativity, music), movement (hiking, running, swimming), or anything that helps you get into the "zone" and feel calm. By incorporating these practices into your daily and weekly routine, you can cultivate and build a strong neural pathway to becoming more resilient, enabling you to access this peace of mind anytime, even if someone is yelling at you or calling you a crazy banana. I use "crazy banana" to make a point. When you're self-confident, the words people say, derogatory, demeaning, ones that are meant to hurt you or cause you to be upset, won't affect you, for it says more about them than you.
Remember, the power of your thoughts lies in your ability to control them and focus on what truly matters to you. Take the time to nurture your mind and watch as your thoughts become reality. Is your mind, protectors, ego, saboteurs (so many names for the inner critic out there) screaming and fighting and resisting as you read this? Good!
Acknowledge it and thank it for its great job, and you're giving it a hall pass from now on.
Pay attention to the thoughts that arise in your mind and notice any patterns or triggers. (This reminds me, triggers aren't for anyone to deal with but the one that's triggered. It's a thought habit that's super easy to resolve, and that's what I love to help people with.)
After acknowledging and thanking your old habitual inner critical thoughts, challenge this intrusive self-talk by replacing it with positive powerful words that describe and articulate how you really want to feel. Set yourself clear intentions and goals from the images and ideas that surface for yourself, and use your thoughts to stay focused, solution-minded, and forward-motivated.
Cultivating Conscious Awareness in Daily Life
Conscious awareness is a skill that can be developed through intentional daily practice. Just like brushing your teeth it has to be important to you have great value in doing it and make it a priority in your daily routine. By consistently practicing conscious awareness, you can improve your ability to stay present in the moment and make more mindful choices throughout your day. This can lead to greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
Finding ways to slow down and access a calm state of mind is a highly personal and subjective process. It's all about figuring out what works best for you in order to achieve that sense of inner peace. One effective way to start this journey is by focusing on your breath and heart rate, paying close attention to the rhythms of your body.
It is also essential to have a handy list of sensory regulating activities (things that activate and shift your focus on your sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste senses) that you can turn to at any moment, no matter where you are. Whether you are at the grocery store, stuck in traffic, or even in the bathroom, having these tools readily available can make all the difference.
I have clients who carry really spicy gum or extremely sour candy with them. I have clients who resonate with the sense of smell and have sprays, essential oils, perfumes, and other aromatic items on hand to help ground them in stressful situations. Some people find comfort in listening to calming music or sounds through headphones, while others may benefit from carrying a small smooth stone or object to hold onto when feeling anxious.
Finding what works for you may take some trial and error, but the key is to have a variety of tools and techniques at your disposal to help you navigate through moments of stress or overwhelm.
Remember, the goal is not to completely eliminate stress, but rather to find ways to manage and cope with it in a healthy and productive manner. Sensory regulation is a great way to shift the mind and thoughts to something else in the moment. We experience everything via our senses, so it only makes sense to use one or more of these five gifts we were given.
With consistent practice, these calming strategies will become second nature to you. They will essentially become ingrained in your muscle memory, making it easier for you to access them whenever you need to find your calm amidst the chaos of daily life. So, the key is to keep practicing and honing these skills during average or small activities so they become a natural part of your routine and useful when super triggered.
Start your day with a few minutes of quiet reflection to set a positive tone for the day. Throughout the day, check in with yourself regularly to notice how you are feeling and what thoughts are running through your mind. Practice gratitude and appreciation for the present moment, and let go of any judgment or attachment to outcomes.
Embracing Change and Growth
As you become more aware of your thoughts and how they influence your actions, you may notice areas where you want to make changes or improvements. Embrace this opportunity for growth and transformation, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and evolve. Be patient and kind with yourself as you navigate this journey of self-discovery and personal development.
Seeking Balance and Self-Care
Remember that conscious awareness is not about striving for perfection or constant self-improvement. It's about finding balance and harmony in your life, accepting yourself as you are while also striving for growth and fulfillment. In life we are meant to feel all the emotions, certainly if we could just pick one I would guess we all would pick one off the top shelf.
Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, and it's important to embrace all the emotions that come with it. It's okay to not be perfect, to make mistakes, and to have moments of self-doubt. Remember that growth and fulfillment come from embracing your imperfections and learning from your experiences. So take a deep breath, trust in yourself, and continue to strive for balance
Practice self-care and prioritize activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Surround yourself with positive influences and supportive relationships that uplift and inspire you.
Conclusion
By cultivating conscious awareness and using the tool of thought for yourself, you can empower yourself to overcome challenges, cultivate resilience, and live a more fulfilling life. Remember that conscious awareness is a lifelong journey that requires patience, practice, and self-compassion. Embrace the power of your thoughts and use them to create a positive and meaningful reality for yourself and those around you.
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