We Are What We Repeatedly Do

We tend to more often hear a variation of this phrase; "You are what you eat". Yet this latter is but one aspect of the reality which we create for ourselves through acts which we continually and most often automatically repeat. And these acts are continually repeated only because of thought processes which remain unchanged. The key to positive change lies in seeking to examine ones thoughts and to find ways in which they can be altered for the better.

I believe it was Aristotle who commented that excellence is therefore not an act, but a habit. Excellence truly is a habit. Think of anyone who has achieved excellence and seek to discover their habitual actions and you will see that these are indeed habitual. Let's take the young British diver, Tom Daly, who recently took the gold medal in the world diving championship in Rome. Just imagine the habits which he has ingrained to enable such a feat? If he did not habitually train in a particular manner or think in a habitually focused and positive manner, do you think he could have achieved even half of what he has so far in his young life?

What is a terrible shame is that although the majority of people admire Tom for this, there are some who are just plain jealous. Earlier this year he was forced to change schools due to the amount of bullying he was being subjected to. Apparently although it started with name calling it ended with him being threatened with having his legs broken. Tom's life would seem to be a lot happier since he moved to his new school and certainly his diving is going from strength to strength.

Those green eyed bullies should remember that the phrase "what goes around comes around" is actually based on the fact that the thought energy which you give out will eventually be returned to you. If you give out positivity, like Tom Daly, you will achieve positive things. If, on the other hand, you were to emit negativity, your own life is what ends up negative. Things which are good and loving and positive do indeed prevail in the end.

Unfortunately there are many negative influences in this world and it is up to us each individually and as a group to protect against these destructive vibes. We can do this in several ways. Like Tom, we can remove ourselves physically from that environment. If this is not possible then we have to use mental tactics or mental skills with which to protect ourselves.

Faith is essential. As a great example of having faith, I read a story the other day about a lady who was pushed into the boot (trunk) of her car and locked in by someone who was intent on theft. She said afterwards that she just had faith that someone would discover her, and because of this she remained calm until she was indeed rescued. Without faith she would have been anxious and panicky and who knows what she might have ended up unintentionally putting herself through because of uncontrolled negative emotions?

I personally use a couple of protective mental skills. Sometimes I imagine that I have a shield which is like a mirror; as I visualize holding it up against the source of negativity it is easy to send those vibes straight back to the sender in duplicate form. Try it; it's an easy thing to visualize and extremely effective. Another mental skill which comes in handy is to imagine that you are wearing body armor which protects you; this could just be a strong material, or it could once again have a mirrored surface. A friend of mine likes to imagine that she is surrounded by a pink balloon which keeps her warm, bright and cozy, whilst at the same time allowing anything negative to simply bounce off it. There are many variations on this theme and you will find ones which appeal to you and work incredibly well for you too.

I also have to admit that I don't keep track of world affairs as much as I probably should as I really do not like to hear all of the negative things which happen. As my dad always said "good news rarely makes the headlines". If only the newspapers. Television and radio had a policy of spending 75% of their time on the reporting of positive, happy and loving things and only allowing 25% to be on negative events, perhaps I'd spend more time keeping abreast of current affairs!

It is certainly well worth getting into the habit of using mental skills and techniques to protect yourself from negativity and to focus upon the good and positive in life. This should become a habit for all of us and then the world would inevitably be a better place. What goes around does indeed come around; we are what we repeatedly do.

Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis downloads for self-improvement, self-confidence and well-being.

With a degree in psychology and qualifications in hypnotherapy, NLP and sports psychology, Roseanna Leaton is one of the leading practitioners of self-improvement. You can get a free hypnosis download from http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com and peruse her extensive library of hypnosis downloads for self-confidence.