We have between 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts thoughts a day that we don’t notice. We believe them. We swim through our thoughts like a fish swims through water. We don’t even notice how we think and sense. We don’t notice the colors and the sights around us.

The most interesting part, we often notice the thoughts that we don’t like. What is really going on is because we don’t like those thoughts. We want to avoid, to fix them. But, somehow, we don’t know what to do with them. So we struggle against them, and we start to think that it is impossible to win. We feel hopelessness and helplessness. We get trapped, and the worst we feel we can’t breathe.

Here’s the bottom line, the more we fight, the loser we will be and the stronger those thoughts are, and the more disordered we are.

The catastrophic thoughts preoccupied the thoughts then triggered disproportionate maladaptive emotions. We obsessively struggle against those thoughts and get stuck in an endless loop of overthinking. The struggle doesn’t get better because the struggle becomes a robust sponger that terrifies the soul and disables, steals our total discretion, and depletes energy.

Now, if you can feel a strong connection to the described facts above, then it is time to STOP, BREATHE, and THINK of all the ways you can; to IGNITE the STOP commands to convey critical thinking.

You can pull up a “chair” of your core and imagine yourself mastering five ways to surrender:

(1) Don’t suppress the thoughts that you don’t like. STOP and divert your attention away from the thoughts above. STOP and do things that help your thoughts, NOT following the default. STOP and tell yourself to do creative, active activities, such as listening to an Audiobook, doing a Crossword puzzle, or trying to solve Sudoku, Cryptograms, or Word Searches.

(2) The intrusive thoughts are different than reality. It is worthy of being able to STOP to recognize their differences. Be mindful to STOP asking the questions with “what if….” Instead, be mindful of the reality of the now and continue building a stronger connection with the present moment. STOP and TRUST that you are alright and will be okay, that you will be better and have a better future. Those are necessary.

(3) Identify the triggers. Often, your thoughts are not entirely random, and your day-to-day interactions may influence them. STOP questions and START keeping a journal of the thoughts that you don’t want. Then, STOP and ask yourself how to understand patterns of those thoughts over time. By doing this, you exercise mastery, becoming a master for your thoughts.

(4) Transform the lifestyle wholeheartedly. STOP and picture what your life will be if you develop positive changes in your daily routine. Then, STOP and COMMIT to what you already planned and CONSISTENT to enforce the choices that you already made to better you. Finally, STOP and understand that following the transforming alternatives will be worthwhile.

(5) Talk it out will give you new insight and healing. You do not rule out therapy because it is proven beneficial. STOP and think about what is noteworthy to your life now. STOP and BE IN THE PRESENT. STOP and be mindful when you are breathing. STOP and implant these words in your brain:

I choose to let go and surrender. I visualize the boat turning around to a better life direction, the “me” dropping the oars, and floating downstream happily through the scenic surroundings and the fresh air. All is well. All is well.

Notable Life Counseling Services LLC
DR. Rony Kusnadi, Ph.D., LCPC