Thought is powerful. It is the act of creativity, the precedent of action. Thought is the spark that lights the inferno that is activity. We are beings of thought, our experience is one continuous thought stretching from cradle to grave.

So what do we choose to fill our conscious thought with? Hopes? Fears? Action plans? When we think of something we add to it’s weight in the ideal realm, which at the very least shifts the focus of your experience. Things with a great enough density in the ideal realm tend to manifest in the material realm of our reality, whether that be through conscious actions or something more esoteric. Therefore it is important to choose which thoughts you amplify and attenuate, tweaking your thought process to achieve your desires. Try to cultivate a garden of positive thoughts as you weed away the negativity that tries to take root.

If there is a negative aspect of your life that seems like you are unable to change consider shifting your thoughts and actions away from it. This is often easier said then done. There are two ways to attempt this that can be used in combination or alone, depending on the situation. The first is to remove yourself from and avoid the situation that is causing you distress. Avoidance is a useful tool when a problem is too large or entrenched for you to solve it in a practical matter. If a mountain presents itself in front of the path you are taking then consider going around it rather than plowing on ahead. The second method is to redirect your thoughts through grounding or meditation. This is especially useful when you cannot extricate yourself from the problem situation. It takes practice, but you can clear or redirect your thoughts. There are many different methods of grounding and meditation, find the method or combination that works for you.

It is easy to take our positive thoughts and experiences for granted, but there are ways to actively grow them. The first and easiest is mindful enjoyment; when something enjoyable happens simply try to be present to actively enjoy the situation. Make a habit of checking in with yourself and consciously affirming good things happening to you: “Wow, this is fun” or “This is great!”. Adopt an attitude of playful gratitude, looking for positivity in places you may have previously overlooked or taken for granted and be thankful when you find it.

A second way to cultivate positivity is to envision a positive future and set yourself on the path to live it. Think of the life you want to live and take inventory of what is there. Make that future your goal, and then try to envision a pathway to it. Break that pathway down into small achievable steps that set you in the right direction. Even if the next step doesn’t thrill you or drastically improve your life keep going and celebrate each achievement. The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step, and as you work away at your goals you should pick up momentum as your actions feed into each other to propel you forward.

The third way is the path through the realm of ideas and spirituality. Our thoughts may manifest themselves in ways we don’t even understand. One such way is through prayer. Do prayers to higher powers or influential spirits increase the likelihood of the manifestation of the desire? Many believe so, though there exists a bit of a confirmation bias. Many who pray look for “answered prayers” and overlook “unanswered prayers”, chalking up either to a divine plan. However it is worth noting that even if no higher power exists that prayer is a type of focused thinking, where desires are brought to the forefront of the mind causing a conscious amplification of thought. That act alone may influence reality, the same as meditating on an idea, or deep contemplation. If prayer aligns with your spirituality then you should explore it.

However one need not believe in a higher power or pray in order to pursue positivity spiritually and in the realm of ideas. Mantras and affirmations can also be used to focus our conscious thoughts on concepts or outcomes. Even merely thinking something does little to directly manifest it (which depending on your beliefs may not be true) repetition and focus can alter your outlook on life and the path your actions steer you on. Mentally revisit the future life you want; on your mental vacation flesh it out even more and think about the path that gets you there. You should find yourself energized in your resolve to improve your life and give you the resilience and motivation to take action.

As a final thought: don’t be afraid to reevaluate what is positive for you. As you learn and grow you may find that the future you once wanted is not what you want anymore. Upon second thought, what looked like a negative may prove to be a blessing in disguise. If you remain receptive and malleable you will find it much easier to enjoy the life you live now, as well as forge a brighter future.