It All Begins with Thoughts

“Your thoughts become YOUR WORDS.Your words become YOUR BEHAVIOR.Your behavior becomes YOUR HABITS.Your habits become YOUR VALUES.Your values become YOUR DESTINY.”- Mahatma Gandhi *partial quote

​Thoughts—

Powerful.

It all begins with thoughts.

The original quote has the tagline: 

“Keep your thoughts positive.” And the underlined word changes with each sentence that follows.

I believe thinking positive all of the time is unrealistic. Life isn’t always positive, and it’s ok to experience other thoughts. However, we need space to process all the feelings if we want to develop new levels of empathy along this path called life.

I believe we (speaking to myself, as well) must also find a way to process our thoughts (especially the dark ones) before they become words. 

I have a solution. It’s a mind mapping processing tool that works. I teach this in my Free Your Mind workshop and know it’s powerful. And, when I use it– it’s restorative, liberating, and empowering. But unfortunately, I’ve fallen victim of not processing the negative thoughts and allowing them to become word vomit; it’s safe to say–nothing good comes from such behavior.

Before we dive into the Unpacking Mind Map–

What thoughts are consuming your mind? 

Are you allowing them to burn valuable energy?

Are you expressing them in words that later become behaviors?

And, if left to chance, these negative behaviors become habits…then values and heaven forbid…our destiny!

That’s powerful. 

And it all begins with thoughts.

Moral of the story—

Gain control of the thoughts before they become our destiny.

Unpacking Mind Map

How Does it Work?

The map begins by writing down the thought that is consuming your mind at the top of the page.

Step 1:

Then, ask yourself–What part of this thought is actually true and what is my perception? 

This question encourages us to dive deep and genuinely examine the thought.

Step 2:

Beneath the “True” box, list evidence that proves the thought to be true. It has to be hardcore evidence. Be specific.

Beneath the “My Perception” box, write why you believe this thought to be true. Validate your feelings. Be specific.

Step 3:

Then, move to the next stop on the map–

Ask yourself, “Can I control any part of this situation?”

Step 4:

Under the “Yes” box, list all of the parts you CAN control. Be very specific. These actions do not have to handle the entire situation but are there any parts of it you have control over? 

For example, it’s not within your control if you need action from someone else. Only list what you can do on your own to control any part of the situation. 

List how you will take control. Be specific with your actions. Hold yourself accountable. 

Ex: I will do _____ by date and place/time.

Then, allow your mind to be free of that thought. 

YOU have power over your thinking.

If you answered “No”–I can’t control any part of this situation on my own, then dismiss the thought and free your mind of it. It doesn’t deserve space there and is wasting your valuable energy. Willing a thought to leave your mind is difficult, but again…back to the Mahatma Gandhi quote, we can’t allow these thoughts to become our words and behaviors–and ultimately, if left unattended, our destiny.

When and Why?

This Unpacking Mind Map will work when counseling a student or a friend, as well. It’s just one way to process thoughts before they clutter our minds and cause unnecessary pain to the beholder plus anyone within their realm of influence.