September 29, 2025- The burden of negative thoughts

Never think of pain or danger or enemies a moment longer than is necessary to fight them.

~Ayn Rand

We get to choose the thoughts we hold onto. We are not bound to them. We all know the feeling of being caught in a loop, where we have the same scene, playing over and over in our minds, as if we will be compelled to think of that same thing forever. We will not. We can move on. We always do and we always will.

How much time do we want to spend brooding over the things that upset us when they actually happened? Sure, some reflection will help us navigate a similar situation in the future, but do we need to hold onto the feelings? Why should the aggressive driver you encountered 10 minutes ago still be controlling you? Why should the abusive or insensitive remark from 10 years ago still be impacting your feelings about yourself?

Your thoughts are your own. You get to choose which thoughts should stay with you and which it would serve you better to let go. Let go of the burden of the negative thoughts that don’t serve you. Don’t give power to the people who have hurt you; they do not own your feelings. All of your power lies in your next choice. Make that choice in self love.