June 28, 2021

Few things are as powerful as a mind made up. It has the power to control how our day - as well as our lives - go. What I’ve learned is that when we choose to think about what we are thinking about, we really don’t have to follow every train of thought that pops into our minds. Just like a real train, we can jump trains and even change tracks. We don’t have to let the train control where we go mentally and emotionally.

We have the power to control what we think. And consequently, we have the power to control who we become because we are what we think, regardless of whether we choose to learn how to consciously control our thoughts or not.

By choosing to intentionally think about what you are thinking about, you get to hold your thoughts to higher standards; you no longer allow runaway thoughts to simply parade about as if they were true and allow them to manipulate you into being afraid to move forward. Toxic thoughts are so dangerous because they leave no room for truth to flourish. The mind feasts on what it focuses on.

As you hop on different trains of thought throughout your day, pay attention to your destination. Jump tracks and change trains every time you need to. Consciously choose the trains that take you to life-giving thoughts. Manage your mind and feed it daily with positive belief, affirmations, gratitude, intentionality, acts of generosity and giving.

My hope is that we’ll become train jumpers by choosing to live alert and consciously pay attention to what we are paying attention.

-Adapted by Christine Cain