Sneaky thoughts...what are they? In this podcast episode, we explore the concept of "sneaky thoughts" - thoughts that sound great on the surface but actually make us feel terrible. Before we dive into that, it's important to understand how thoughts and feelings are connected. Thoughts are simply sentences in our minds that our brain uses to try to address what's happening in the world around us. When a thought connects in our brain, it sends an emotion through our body, which we experience as a vibration or sensation. The key to determining whether a thought is useful or not is to pay attention to the feeling it creates. Does it drive us towards actions that feel good and authentic, or does it steer us away from what we really want?
Trying on thoughts is like trying on clothes - we can see how a thought feels, and decide if it's useful for us. But some thoughts can be sneakier than others. They sound great in theory, but when we think them, they make us feel terrible. Examples of sneaky thoughts include "I just want everyone to be happy," "I just want everyone to like me," or "I just want to be a better person." As a missionary, you may have some sneaky thoughts such as, "I want to be the best missionary", "I want everyone in my district to reach their goals", or "I just want my companion to _____". These thoughts may seem harmless, but they often create emotions like pressure, overwhelm, self-doubt, and frustration.
So how do we spot sneaky thoughts? One clue is to look at the outcome we're wanting - if it's not within our power or influence, we may be setting ourselves up for disappointment. Another clue is to consider whether the thought acknowledges the human experience. It's unrealistic to expect ourselves or others to be happy all the time, or to be perfect in every way. If we recognize and accept the ups and downs of the human experience, we can cultivate more self-love, self-worth, and self-acceptance.
The bottom line is that our thoughts have a powerful impact on our emotions and actions. By learning how to identify sneaky thoughts, we can create more empowering thought patterns that support our goals and well-being.
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