Get Your Mind off It… Listen

If you think about all the things we hear during the day, the news reporter hammering about the latest crime rates, the politicians fuming about the lack of something or the abundance of something else, the kids whining because they don’t have the latest gadget because they heard the advertisers tell them how wonderful it was. With this edition of “Get Your Mind off It…” we’ll discuss how important it is to monitor what we hear so that our stop smoking plan is not thwarted.

Of all the messages we are bombarded with during a 24 hour period, how many of them are positive? At first glance you might think that most of the things you allow to enter your mind are good, but think of all the advertising. The advertiser’s goal is to make you feel as though you lack something, and then show you how to fill that feeling with lack with their product.

Do an experiment. Turn off the T.V. for one whole week. Really, try it. Then watch just one program and pay special attention to the advertisements. I did this experiment and I was so shocked by what I saw, I stopped watching television all together. When I stopped the endless stream of lack messages, I was more aware of what the crafty advertisers were up to. They literally were able to put desire in my heart for things I didn’t really want and especially didn’t need.

Instead of allowing the advertisers to dictate what you hear, choose what you listen to. Sit down and let your child read to you. Go for a walk and listen to the wind go through the trees. Call a friend and share your struggles with him or her. Try attending a place of worship and listening to a positive message. These are just some ways you can get positive messages into your mind.

Messages telling you that you are worthy and needed can give you confidence and a positive self-image. With these tools as a good first step, you may just be able to finally put down the smokes for good.