Habits come in all shapes and sizes. I wake up at 5:30. You take the same route to work. I run three days a week. You buy the same brand of toothpaste. I check email frequently. You sign on a couple of times a week.
I typically think of habits as actions--as things that we do. Over time, however, I have also learned to notice mental patterns, or habits of thought. These less obvious patterns have tremendous power, in part because they operate "under the radar." Whereas we recognize action patterns as habits, repeated thoughts masquerade as "reality." While we can envision changing our "doing" with conscious effort, habits of thinking feel immutable.
"I love to eat and will always be overweight." "I hate vegetables." "I suffer from MS." and therefore "I will always... I can't...I have to..." "I am not very smart..." "I am always tired..." "My husband is..." "My boss is..." "God is..." "Life is..."
When give in to habits of thought, we relinquish the freedom that comes with owning, choosing, and even designing a healthier perspective. When we treat them as uncontrollable, we abdicate responsibility for our runaway minds.
Brain research shows that habits arise from well-established neurological connections. Neurons that "fire together" are said to be "wired together." Patterns of thought, like patterns of action, tend to become automatic with repetitive use.
We can, however, clip the wires and reconnect them differently. When a thought sequence generates emotional pain or a feeling of helplessness, we can rewire consciously to trigger soothing and empowering alternatives.
"I will study the science of food cravings, and apply what I learn to eating differently." "I can make friends with vegetables, one pea at a time." "The MS diagnosis motivates me to build a lifestyle that strengthens my overall health and reduces or complements the role of drugs." "I am smart about ..." "I have more energy when..."
Watch your thoughts and the feelings that result. Step back and consider alternative ways of viewing the situation. Does your new perspective feel better than the original? Is it worth the effort of practicing thought habits that make you stronger, more creative, and more peaceful than patterns already in place?
