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We create our own reality
As the year draws to a close, it is an opportune time to reflect on the quality of our lives. Perhaps the best question we can all ask ourselves is “how peaceful am I”? Peace and joy are sadly lacking from many in medicine. This is particularly important for physicians – peaceful physicians render better care of their patients, have more to give to their patients and families and are more resilient.
How can we become more peaceful and joyful? The answer lies in ourselves, not our conditions. In essence, it depends on our thinking.
Thoughts determine our reality
In her classic spiritual work The Secret, Rhonda Byrne speaks of how our thoughts determine our reality and how we create our worlds from our thinking. The Secret also speaks of the law of attraction – whereupon “like attracts like.” Quantum physicists would concur that thoughts emit a certain frequency and energy. Perhaps Byrne and many other spiritual writers are correct. Thoughts of a certain frequency attract thoughts, matter and even events of similar frequency. Before I sound like I am off my rocker, on many occasions I have randomly thought of a patient – only to have that patient manifest in my office soon after. Or how many of us have started a case expecting it to be difficult only to find it was indeed challenging.
The challenge becomes for one to emit peaceful, positive energy and thoughts so positive energy and events are attracted in one’s life.
Proof of this principle lies in the existence of mirror cells in our brains. These neurons emit thoughts of a similar nature to what they receive. In other words, time around negative, complaining people will prompt our brain mirror cells to emit similar negative thoughts.
The choice is ours. We can be positive or negative transmitters. We can attract negative or positive into our lives in accordance to what signals and thoughts we are transmitting outward.
Positive challenge
In 2013, take on a positive challenge for your life. You can monitor and redirect your thoughts for 30 days – then watch your life explode as mine has.
Start by imagining yourself as a positive cell tower. You emit nothing but peaceful and loving thoughts – positive comments, praise and gratitude. Also, try to quiet your mind with meditation, yoga or prayer daily. It is essentially impossible to control one’s thoughts when there is so much chatter and “static.” Use your mood as a feedback mechanism as to what you are thinking. If you feel drowning in negativity, stop. Quiet your mind. Smile and then look for something good.
Life is meant to be joyful. Make 2013 your best year ever!