In this guest blog, Tony Wilson, motivational speaker and author, shares the inherent process we go through to create our reality and encourages readers to be more intentional about the thoughts we have in every moment.  

Everyone wants to feel good! The things we want or do are likely because we think these things will make us feel good or bring us joy. After a while, however, many of the things that once made us feel good, no longer have the same positive affect. Naturally, we seek out what will bring that good feeling back – leading to a constant striving, doing, or buying that ultimately causes us to feel more stress than joy.

There is a better way to feel good! The best part? It’s free and available to everyone at any time. We have all been blessed with a handy tool that can change our lives when used properly: the power of thought.

Thought allows you to be more intentional and gain more control of your circumstances. We each go through a moment-to-moment process to create our personal realities.

  1. Everything begins with a thought.
  2. Thoughts lead to feelings.
  3. Feelings lead to actions.
  4. Actions lead to results/reality.

Power of Thought Process

Unfortunately, most people are unaware that they are following this process moment-to-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day. Within each of us, we have the ability to stop this process at any point up to, and including, the action phase.

If you don’t like a thought, you have the capability to choose a different thought that’s more suitable to your values and goals – ultimately bringing you more joy.

According to Bruce Lipton, PhD stem cell biologist and author of The Biology of Belief, we have between 60,000 and 70,000 thoughts each day. In the book, Lipton explains how the process then turns into a cycle:

1. We think negative thoughts.
2. We secrete stress hormones into our body systems, producing negative feelings.
3. We experience these negative feelings then we behave in way that only exacerbates the negative feelings.
4. Feeling negative about our circumstances creates a negative reality.

The negative reality causes us to continue to think negative thoughts, secrete more negative stress hormones, and the cycle continues. If the negative cycle is allowed to consistently repeat over time, we generate a negative temperament and eventually a negative personality.

Understanding this powerful thought process can help you change your reality – and ultimately – the trajectory of your life. You are in charge of your thoughts. You are in charge of your reality. You are in charge of your life.

Read through the following activity to help you experience this thought process right now:

Imagine you’re sitting at a stoplight on a bright, sunny day. Your favorite music is playing and you are feeling secure, content, happy, peaceful, and calm.

Just as the light turns green, a car flies through the intersection and barely misses hitting your car. As if you are on autopilot, your first thought might be, “That jerk!” You start feeling angry. You cuss, make hand gestures, and maybe chase them down the street (actions). Before you know it, you find yourself angry and frustrated for hours or even days (result/reality). All because of that jerk, right? Not so fast. Did the jerk cause your thoughts, feelings, actions, and results/reality?

Let’s rewind and try this again.

You are at the same stoplight, on the same sunny day, with the same music is playing. You have the same feeling of contentment. Again, as the light turns green, a car flies through the intersection and barely misses your car. This time, you get a glimpse of the driver and see it is your neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, and her baby is flailing around in the car seat in the back. You know her baby has asthma and sometimes needs to be rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Your first thought is, “I hope she is all right.” You start feeling compassion for them. You follow Mrs. Johnson to the hospital (action) to see if you can help. And you find yourself staying with them in the waiting area of the emergency room (reality).

Why did you have such contradictory reactions between the two scenarios?

Following the thought–feeling–action–reality process, you discover it was your thoughts about the driver that caused your feelings and spurred you into each reaction.

Now that you understand and are aware of how you have created your reality, many times unconsciously, you can begin intentionally shifting your thoughts to become more positive, peaceful, and productive. You can begin looking for the good in any and all situations, changing the way you think, the way you feel, and the actions you take. Start today to be more intentional with your thoughts and you will find you will feel get better and better every day.

Tony Wilson is a local master facilitator, transformation specialist, motivational speaker, and author. Through his personal style of “magic” in facilitation, he has helped countless individuals regain hope and begin or continue their journey to joy. Learn more about Tony at www.mrtonywilson.com

Topics: Purpose, Health & Well-Being

Erin Drinnin

Written by Erin Drinnin

Erin Drinnin is United Way's former Community Impact Officer for Essential Needs and Health & Well-Being.