“But there’s one nagging reason that keeps many of us from moving ahead in life.”

A thought by H. Norman Wright DMin. from his book, A Better Way to Think: Using Positive Thoughts to Change Your Life (p. 7). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

So, what is it, Bill, what is it?

Norman says, “It’s our thoughts: those seemingly insignificant sentences that pass through the mind, greatly influencing everything we say and do. From our thoughts, we hear messages that can propel us toward great accomplishments and positive change . . . or drag us into a negative spiral.”

He goes on, “Do you struggle with your own thoughts? Thoughts of worry, insecurity, frustration, and even anger? I do. We all do.

“For many of us, the thoughts that continually run through our mind are more adversary than ally. Left unchecked, our ‘thought life’ can become our own worst enemy, poisoning us from within. And it’s our choice.

“Surprisingly, many of us don’t see the relationship between our thoughts, our feelings, and the words that flow from our mouth. For so many of the individuals and couples I’ve counseled, their difficulties can be traced back to one root problem—the ideas they repeat to themselves, their ‘self-talk.’

“Yes, it’s true we all ‘talk’ to ourselves. I do. You do too. We all carry on conversations with ourselves. And it’s really okay. It’s not a sign we’re going over the edge.”

He continues, “Sometimes, we’re simply rehearsing conversations. At other times, we’re letting our imagination gallop along unrestrained, building tension and anxiety by worrying about possibilities that may never occur, and might not even be reasonable to consider, but telling ourselves that danger looms. It can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. What we tell ourselves, we can make come true—even if it’s something we’d desperately rather avoid.

“Truth be told, most of us have a bent toward negative or toxic thinking. And for some of us, the mind is a downright dangerous place, a battlefield fraught with landmines and hidden enemies poised for ambush. Our self-talk is attacking us from within.”

Norman then says, “It doesn’t have to be that way.”

And that is good news, isn’t it?

Yes, yes!