Belief

I love Elly's idea about things not needing to be wrapped up, so here is an unfinished thought.  I may or may not follow up!

I think, that when I say I think something, what I am really saying is that I believe that something, whatever it is.
I think that bringing to the forefront, or spending any time on limiting my belief about a particular subject is totally counterproductive to producing that thing or bringing it to life..  Especially if I really want that thing or feeling.
Religious people will call it faith, and although I have no use for any kind of organized religion, I can see the value in believing that anything is possible.
I suspect most of you don't know that I am an extremist!  Not in the sense that we hear about everyday on the news mind you.  I am an extremist of positive thoughts.  So much so, that my rantings can often offend others who are not me.  I have noticed this more as I try to become more aware of my own failings and work on them.  In one sense, I think my children are the biggest sufferers of my extremism, but when I write that, it makes me wonder.  Are they suffering now for some form of payback in the future?  That may be a bit of a pipe dream, but I am going to think on it some more.  I found this definition of extremism online, and chose it because is best suits my purpose.
"activities (beliefs, attitudes, feelings, actions, strategies) of a character far removed from the ordinary."
(I feel compelled to tell you that even looking up this definition made me honestly wonder....is big brother watching?  I know just enough about technology to not underestimate the surveillance state we live in these days, but that is a whole other blog)
Sorry, back to beliefs.  I have such an aversion to focus on anything that could be the least bit negative, that I often come across as uncaring or unsympathetic.  When someone tells me they are feeling sick, I have learned to show a bit of empathy, but immediately respond with a comment about what else they should be thinking about.  "I feel really shitty this morning"...."oh that sucks...don't think about it, start thinking about good things, any good things....puppies, children playing, beautiful sunshine, the love you share with family, breathing, smiling, talking, walking, anything that helps make you feel good".  I am well aware that this will do nothing to erase the fact that they have the flu, or drank too much last night or are suffering some other malaise.  I do think (believe) that regardless of said malaise and it's realities, consciously committing to think those nice things will improve anyone's outlook, and by extension, lessen their suffering.

"It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen."
Muhammad Ali

Love Holij