Avoiding Black Bears

I want to start this blog off with a little thought experiment. First I want you to try your best to not think about a black bear. Think about whatever you like, just make sure it isn't a black bear. Your whole goal here, is to do anything, but think of a big black bear. Now, I'm sure you did just the opposite of that. When I said, "Don't think about a black bear," I bet the first thing that popped into your mind was a large black bear. When people are stressed we all tell them to calm down, and it has the exact same effect of saying "Don't think about a black bear!"

Instead, acknowledge your thoughts for exactly what they are -- thoughts, and subsequently they're something you think, not necessarily the truth. So, when you're feeling stressed instead of thinking, "I'm stressed," think, "I'm having the thought that I am stressed." This is the foundation of any mindfulness practice, and is just that, a practice. It takes time to work on, but it allows for the manipulation of your perspective in profound ways. Focus on what is currently happening, and understand that you always have the power to avoid black bears.