Nina Obier, Joy Kuel Category Expert
“Choose Joy” – Sounds like a bumper sticker or even better a great saying for a t-shirt.
I imagine when you see those words you are either repelled by them or drawn to them. Especially in such a time as this.
As a brain trainer, one of the things I know to be true is our reticular activating system (RAS) is always standing at attention in our brain waiting to match our outside world picture with our inside world picture. My mentor and fellow brain trainer, Dana Wilde, calls this the “Cycle of Perpetual Sameness”
“From those thoughts & self-talk you reinforce them by the emotion you attach to it.”
Thoughts And Self-Talk:
What it means is that we all have a way we are viewing the world. From that worldview, there is the moment where you choose your reaction. Either, outwardly verbal or internally verbal. From those thoughts & self-talk you reinforce them by the emotion you attach to it. This then activates your inside world picture. While ultimately your RAS is standing at attention, waiting to match it up with your outside world picture.
You might be thinking, so what? Or what does this mean for me? My favorite example is being late. You continually say or think to yourself or others, “I’m going to be late. No matter what, I’m going to be late.” Your RAS says “Got it” and it matches up you being late. The real danger is when you inevitably are late and you get emotionally charged about it you have now successfully activated the cycle to yet again make you late.
“Let’s be clear, I am human, and I too can go down the rabbit hole in a less than positive way.”
Choosing Joy:
What does this have to do with choosing joy? Simply put, everything. Be honest, what is your current stance on the world? What is your outside picture? From that picture, what thoughts are you thinking? What does your self-talk sound like? Is there an emotional charge around your thoughts & words? From there what usually matches up?
Here’s the great news as you grasp this concept of how the brain works. You get to decide which stories & thoughts you desire to match up. Keep in mind the RAS does not know the difference between what is real or imagined.
Let’s be clear, I am human, and I too can go down the rabbit hole in a less than positive way. More times than not I’ve caught myself in time to make the choice to change the way I look and think about things.
How about you? Are you open to the possibilities to choosing joy?
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About the Author:
Nina is the acclaimed author of “Listen.Learn.Love.Lead” and “My Daily Clarity” In her keynotes, seminars, and workshops she brings her positive energy and a unique ability to make the complex simple. As Founder of Success Simplified, Nina’s mission is to provide action-oriented tools and strategies so that her audiences and clients gain the ability to remove doubt, discouragement, and distraction to replace it with clarity, confidence, and commitment.
Nina is passionate about personal development and is known for having the wisdom of a 90-year-old with the energy of a 9 year old.
