Would you go on a 7-day mental diet to live without a negative thought? It goes something like this–consciously observe yourself dwelling on a negative thought. What do I mean by negative thinking? I turned to the expert on this topic, Dr. Emmet Fox. He is the author of a marvelous exercise to improve the quality of all your thinking. “A negative thought is any thought of failure, disappointment, or trouble,” explains Dr. Fox. He includes criticism, spite, jealously or condemnation of others, too. But he doesn’t stop there. He tells us to take a mental recess from condemning ourselves, too; a big NO NO.
Create a New Mental Atmosphere for Yourself
We can ride on a merry-go-round of negativity every day. So many sources tell us we have poor health, should be less mobile and are in constant danger of being exposed to something. These messages subtly flow through our cognitive filters, and we forget to periodically replace them with something fresh and new. Emmet Fox believed a more transformative way to live was to prohibit ourselves from any kind of limited or pessimistic thinking. Like other New Thought leaders, he recommends reducing our morbid introspection on the past. Wouldn’t this be a perfect first step for better mental health, too? How many times a day do you think you need to be exposed to negativity? Do we really need reminders? If we accept Dr. Fox’s invitation to live 7 days without a negative thought, it might breathe new life into our mental atmosphere. Wouldn’t that be refreshing!
A Vote for Better Conversations
I took the mental diet for 7 days to confront my own negativity. After monitoring my whole environment for a week, I found physical and mental relief through this recess. I was shocked how many times negativity knocked me off center. By day 4, I grew alert to my surroundings. I shed troubling news on the TV and Internet. I started to block the magnetic field others drew to their troubles. What started as an experiment led me to quietly vote for better conversations, better friends and a better work environment. I physically and mentally left the presence of negatively charged people, events and things. Whenever I encountered them, I had a choice. I didn’t have to stay transfixed or mesmerized, allowing events to dull my consciousness. I could vote with my feet. What started as an experiment has become a way of life for me for many years. I have never turned back to the past. Thank you, Dr. Fox.
