I recently had the opportunity to attend a speaking engagement of author Andy Andrews. One of the things he spoke about was how we all have a culture. There are ethnic cultures, work cultures, cultures in our families and cultures in our homes. Our culture is not determined by our perception, but rather by those who observe us and determine our culture by our history of results. For example if I tell you that eating healthy and being fit is very important to my family yet we are overweight and you see us eating out and getting ice cream many times a week the observer would not agree with what I state my families culture to be. Our results can attract or repel others from our culture. Results are produced by our actions or inactions and are a result of our choices. Choices determine your destination. Most importantly thinking determines those choices.

So your THINKING determines the CHOICES you make which produce ACTIONS that turn into RESULTS and create the CULTURE that you live in.

If you want to see a change in the culture around you, make a change in your thinking! You have the power to choose how you think!!! Seem to simple!? Do you believe that you can change your outcomes by changing your thinking?

Your thinking can change your entire outlook on life. Have you ever spent time on Facebook, Twitter or even watching the news and because of what you have been reading or hearing your entire attitude turns better or worse? I will find myself reading my news feed and depending on articles people have posted or opinions they have shared I end up stressed out, completely down on myself or just down right mad. Or I can be uplifted and inspired by what I read as well. It all depends on where I let my thinking go when I take on the information.

“Our thoughts are the most powerful tools we’ve got.

I think, therefore, I can create awesomeness. Or horrendousness. But the bottom line is that it’s through our thoughts that we create our realities.

It’s also why buying into whatever illusion you’re living in in the present moment is selling yourself so short if it’s anything less than what you truly desire. You created the reality you now exist in with your thoughts, which means you can use the very same power of thought to change it.” Jen Sincero,  You are a Badass.

So how do we change our thinking and start achieving our kick assness potential? Just as we can choose who we spend time with and what we listen to , read and watch we also choose who we don’t spend time with, listen to, read and watch. Start fueling your thinking with the way you want it to think!
Align your thinking with what you know is TRUE!

In this day and age we are constantly bombarded with information. The critical part is deciphering what is true.  We have 24 hour a day access to news and opinions on what is going on in the world around us. Sometimes the TRUTH gets buried in the angle the story is being told from. We have to fill our thinking with truth so that we can know the difference because if we allow all sources to influence our thinking it can quickly take you in a direction you don’t want it to go.

A friends pastor once asked his congregation,  raise your hand if you believe that everything you read on Facebook and other medias to be true? No one did and some laughter arose. He then asked how many believe the Bible to be true, it seemed to be a unanimous YES! He then asked… how much time to you devote to reading what you believe to be true to what is not? Pretty convicting right?! If I would spend as much time reading and studying what I know is true my thinking would follow which could change my destiny!

LOVE who you are.

My Dad has often told me “comparison kills self-esteem” it also kills your thinking! It’s hard to not compare ourselves to others. From our side of the lens the things they have, the person they are, the friends they hang with, the life they live all seem so great. But things are not always how they seem. We need to spend just as much time building ourselves up as we do others. The grass is not always greener on the other side, especially if you spend as much time watering your grass as you do theirs! We are not perfect nor should we expect ourselves to be, so we need to cut ourselves some slack and LOVE who we ARE right now. No matter how much work you think you need you are always worthy of love from yourself and others. “This is incredibly powerful, because when you love yourself enough to stand in your truth no matter what the cost, everyone benefits. You start attracting the kinds of things, people, and opportunities, that are in alignment with who you truly are…” Jen Sincero, You are a Badass. Which leads us to my next thought…

Who and What are you spending time with?

Have you ever noticed how your thinking can change depending on who you are spending time with? If you are around a group of people who are encouraging and supportive don’t your begin to believe in yourself a little bit more and think a little bigger. Or if you involve yourself in a bible study the world doesn’t seem so grim. Hope is restored as your faith deepens. If your with a group of Debbie downers its a losing battle to keep your head high enough to reach the positive air space. Find a group of people who think and do like you would like to think and do. “Being around inspired, visionary, enthusiastic people who are living their truths is one of the fastest ways to massively transform your life.” Jen Sincero, You are a Badass. It’s hard to think bigger when all your spend time with is small minded people. If you want to soar like an eagle you have to stop pecking around with the chickens!! Sometimes you may have to turn to books, blogs or podcasts from people who inspire you. When  I get into a good habit of reading a book instead of Facebook my thinking is broadened and I am pushed to do and be better. (I do enjoy “self-help” books so that really helps.) But find your energy source and tap into it when your thinking turns sour! Let your thinking allow you to dream big enough to require faith!