STOIC WISDOM

How To Handle Your Negative Thoughts Like The Great Emperor

This is how he did it, and how you should probably do it, too

Being mindful is an essential part of living a happy life, but a more practical approach is often missing. The quote below, with an explanation, gives you a more practical solution.

Your thoughts consist of positive and negative thoughts, the positive ones are mostly very helpful. But what should you tell yourself when you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts?

The former emperor of the Roman Empire, Marcus Aurelius seems to have found the answer. Are you already using his advice on effectively labeling your negative thoughts?

“Four habits of thought to watch for, and erase from your mind when you catch them. Tell yourself:

This thought is unnecessary.

Most negative thoughts will both fall into this category as in one of the other categories. In this case, ask yourself which label fits best. Simplicity is key in labeling your thoughts.

This one is destructive to the people around you.

Even though most negative thoughts tend to be destructive to the people around you, this label is meant specifically for thoughts that are directly influencing your community.

This wouldn’t be what you really think (to say what you don’t think — the definition of absurdity).

Being honest towards yourself builds up integrity, not being honest towards yourself is the beginning of your downfall. When you start being more honest with yourself in your head, you will notice that you start to feel more reliable.

The more divine part of you has been beaten and subdued by the degraded mortal part — the body and its stupid self-indulgence.”

— Marcus Aurelius

With the divine part of you Marcus means your capacity of rational thinking, and according to him, thinking negatively is unhelpful and against the nature of the whole. Setting your thoughts right by letting your rational mind have full control again is what nature demands of you, and as a human being, you have been given the strength you need to do this.

Conclusion

When you notice you are caught up in negative mental chatter, the proper response is to label the thought according to the content of the thought. Then bring your mind back to calmness.

To aim your actions and perceptions properly, read this short post.

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