I’d like to share an experience I had last night. It was a powerful reminder of how much our thoughts shape our feelings and behaviour.
What Happened:
Just before going to bed, a thought hit me:
“I haven’t spoken to my parents for a few days. I should say hello.”
So, I called them—but no answer. Then I called my brother, who always answers his phone. Still, no reply. I tried calling him several more times. Nothing.
That’s when my mind spiralled.
Negative Thoughts Took Over
Suddenly, a flood of negative thoughts rushed in:
“What if something happened to them?”
“What if they were in a car accident?”
“What if their house caught fire?”
Within minutes, I was in full panic mode:
My heart was racing
I had a headache
I was sweating
I felt frozen and helpless
For ten minutes, it felt like I was living in a nightmare. I even started thinking:
“Should I call the police station near their house to check on them?”
“Should I book a flight right now to go see them?”
“How will I explain this to my boss?”
I was horrified.
Then, Relief
Finally, I called one more time.
My brother answered.
He calmly explained they were just busy and couldn’t pick up the phone earlier.
The Lesson: Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviour Are Connected
This experience reminded me of a core concept in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):
Your thoughts influence your feelings, and your feelings influence your behaviour.
Here’s how it played out:
Thought: Something terrible has happened to my family.
Feeling: Panic, fear, helplessness
Behaviour: Crying, racing thoughts, physical symptoms, no motivation
What I Learned
This experience taught me an important lesson:
Focusing on positive, helpful, or realistic thoughts can completely shift your mood and energy.
For example:
“Today is my last day of work for the week.”
That simple thought makes me feel lighter, happier, and more motivated.😄
Takeaway:
Be mindful of your thoughts—they are powerful. Choose ones that support your wellbeing.
You really are what you think.
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