This year try thought recycling:

It’s a New Year, and a great time to try thought recycling. This reprocessing method, is a personal way of extending the life and usefulness of things that have already served their initial purpose. And this mental activity can really benefit your life at home, school or work. 

How thought recycling works

We all know how to dispose of unwanted packaging materials and green waste into our household recycling bins. Or, to use garage sales, flea-markets and car-boot sales as opportunities for unwanted items such as furniture, clothing and kids’ toys to find their way on to good homes.

However, if our thinking has become cluttered with negativity or worry, we don’t want to recycle this mental litter. No one wants negative thoughts. They don’t bring anyone happiness or healing. On the other hand, positive, spiritually productive thoughts, are ready-made for inclusion in a mental recycling program. 

Over the years, I’ve been comforted, gained mental strength, and found healing from ideas shared in sacred poetry, books, and spiritual texts. I’ve also had the joy of passing along to others these inspirational thoughts that have enhanced my life. In this way, an inspired idea that has “served its initial purpose” – to benefit me, has now had its life extended. 

Tips to help you to try thought recycling

- Be selective. Check the type of thoughts you want to circulate to others before doing so. Is it something worth recycling - that contributes in a positive way to the environment at home or work?

- Bin unhealthy thoughts and fears ready for discarding. Don’t ruminate, reiterate or speculate over them. “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.” Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p.261:4

- Relate uplifting, reassuring, personal experiences. What’s learned from the good and hard times in life, can encourage someone going through a similar experience. Bless your family, friends and work colleagues with your kind thoughts. “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters”. Bible. Hebrews 13:1

- Recycle gratitude. It’s heartening to receive expressions of appreciation. Gratitude brightens a moment, encourages an individual, and later continues to remind them that they’ve done something worthwhile – they’ve done well. So, if you’ve had a kindness shown you, pass it on.  

- Be buoyed and enriched by the excellent ideas that others have found helpful and have taken the time to share with you. Beneficial thoughts are worth circulating in large quantities. So, pass them on to others. This year try thought recycling. It’s good for your health.

ABOUT THE EXPERT:

Beverly Goldsmith writes about the connection between spirituality and health and is a Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Twitter: @GoldsmithBev