Building a Foundation for Change

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, "Red:"

          Have you are tried to change a strongly held belief? The Six of Swords and the Red card imply that to free myself from pain, I must change my ideas. Even the trees and butterflies are pointed in a new direction, but I'm not so sure about that bridge made of swords. It looks unsafe and scary. How do you transform habitual thought patterns? Positive affirmations have never proved useful for me, probably because I didn't believe a word of what I was saying.  I can distract myself with activities for a time, but those thoughts just wait patiently until I've relaxed my guard. I ran across a blog by mindfulness teacher Melli O’Brien, who wrote about changing negative thinking. Here is a summation of her four keys that can be a foundation for change:

1. Recognize Negative Thought Patterns
Negative thought patterns are repetitive, unproductive thoughts that serve no real purpose and directly cause negative emotions.
2. Dis-identify From Negative Thinking
Instead of trying to outrun your thoughts, watch them. Become an impartial witness, as if you were a scientist observing a subject.
3. Mindfulness of the Moment
Most negative thoughts flow from the past or the future. Use the five senses to bring your mind back to the here and now. Give the present moment your undivided attention.
4. Choose Constructive Thoughts Instead of Destructive Thoughts
Positive or constructive thoughts help you effectively face your day-to-day situations. These thoughts allow you to put problems in perspective and deal with them in a practical way. List your resources and options. What has worked well in the past? What are some new techniques to try? Make a simple, flexible plan of action.