I have recently been listening to “Change Your Brain, Change Your Body”.

One of the interesting concepts in the book is what the author calls “ants”. Automatic negative thoughts.

Two little tidbits that really stuck out to me in his discussion of this topic.

First – we don’t have to believe every thought that pops into our heads. When something negative or worrisome pops into our heads, we shouldn’t just believe it to be true. We should ask ourselves if it is true.

Some examples:

I’ll never be able to save that much money.

I’ll never be able to lose that much weight.

I’ll never be able to start getting up early.

Thoughts like these are just flat out wrong. But most of us accept them as they come, not taking the time to think about whether or not they are true.

The second concept I really liked was what he called “anteaters”.

These are positive and uplifting thoughts that squeeze out or eliminate the ants.

Thoughts of gratitude are a particularly good example. It’s hard to be negative and down when you are thinking of everything you have to be thankful for.

Let’s all get those anteaters to work today and get rid of those ants.

Make it a great day.

Jake