“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another” is a quote by psychologist and philosopher William James (1842-1910). 

The Process of Choosing One Thought Over Another

Choosing one thought over another is not always so simple as thinking about something else. Sometimes, I have to relax with mindful breathing.

Here are some things that I do to change the things my thinking when I am regretting the past or start to worry about the future.

I take a deep breath and release that breathe as slowly as possible. Then I focus on my breathing.

For a few minutes, I box breathe. I breathe in to the count of four. Then I breathe out to the count of four.

I am Mindful and in the Present Moment.

Then I become mindful about where I am.

Then I go outside and sit in a chair on my deck. I focus on my yard. I specifically look at individual leaves. I focus on the grass. I focus on the sky. It doesn’t matter if the sky is blue or gray. The mental process of focusing on the sky take me out of my mind and into the present moment.

After this practice, I will make affirmations. I tell myself that I am smart. I tell myself that I am resilient. I make a list of my blessings in my life.

With these steps, I find I can choose one thought over another. I can see the world as a much happier, brighter place to live.

Other quotes from William James:

“People can create habits through their repeated choices and actions.”

“People can create their worlds through their habits.”

“People can direct their ‘stream of consciousness’ through their attention.”

People can choose to view the world as positive, negative, or meaningless.”

People can take risks and act on possibilities to create a happy life.”

“People can act ‘as if’ they are free or that life is meaningful.”

“People can go through a crisis of meaning and then experience a sense of renewal.”

“People can unify themselves and stop mental interferences through conversions.”