Soul Food Diet

Cookies, potato chips, French fries and sugary sodas may taste pretty good, but overdoing it can leave us feeling sick, bloated and eventually, overweight. We all know empty calories only last a short while. What we need are real, nutritious foods that sustain us and make us feel sated and healthy.

The same goes with our thoughts.

Negative thoughts are like empty calories: They easily fill our minds but eventually they leave us feeling insecure, sad or empty. 

Our mind needs wellness just like our body. One of my favorite quotes is from author and scientist Dr. Joe Dispenza, who says, “If our thoughts can make us sick, then our thoughts can make us well.” In other words, we can choose what we think about… and what we focus on is just as important as what we eat.

Changing thought patterns starts with eliminating toxic thinking. Let it go. No more free rent in your head. Instead, feed your mind a steady diet of healthier thoughts. Not “soul food” per say, but food for your soul.

Try this. For one week, wear a rubber band around your wrist. Every time a negative thought enters your mind, (each time you gossip, criticize, judge, complain or compare and despair) snap the band and replace that negative thought with a positive one. You’re going to actively erase any negativity that poisons your consciousness and replace it with the purity and purpose of positive thinking.

Try it. These also can help:

--Gratitude Practice

Write down three things you're grateful for each day. They can be as simple as, “It’s sunny, I lost a pound and tomorrow is payday.”  Or, “Thank God that lump is just a benign cyst.” You decide. Shifting your focus to positive aspects of life can help replace or eliminate negative thought patterns.

--Affirmations

Use positive affirmations to rewire your thoughts. Simple phrases like “I’m enough,” or  “I did my best” or even “Today was a pretty good day” create a foundation for positive growth over time.

--Visualization

Imagine yourself achieving your goals and feeling content and healthy. “Dream then do” as they say. Reinforce positive thinking and motivation.

--Connect with nature

Yes. Take a walk. Breathe. Feel. Smile. The calming effects of nature can clear your mind and bring a sense of peace.

--Creative Outlets

Activities like painting, writing, or playing music can help you process emotions and thoughts in a healthier way.

--Physical Activity

Regular exercise releases endorphins, which can boost your mood and help keep negative thoughts at bay.

Fill your mind with food for your soul one little bite, one little thought at a time. You decide what you think and how you feel. Take your power back today, one bite at a time!