Chapter 7: The Courage to Stop Negative Thinking and Gossip
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 76-77
Acknowledge the ongoing nature of the struggle with negative thinking and the importance of continued practice.
Summary
This section is a reminder that expecting to completely eliminate negative thoughts isn’t realistic—but that doesn’t mean real progress isn’t possible. By consistently practicing presence and stillness, you can quiet the mental noise, catch yourself sooner when negativity creeps in, and create more space for peace in your daily life.
…it is unlikely that we will ever be able to entirely stop our thought chatter. What we can do, however, is quit allowing our negative emotional reactions to take over. It is only through consistent practice, bringing in stillness many times throughout the day, that we keep in touch with our vibrant inner life; the practice is what teaches and inner-conditions us.
— Choosing Presence, pp. 76-77
A Moment for Reflection
Pause for a moment and reflect on the following three questions:
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This question helps you reflect on your attitude toward negative thoughts and whether you approach them with self-compassion or self-criticism.
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This encourages you to recognize progress in managing reactions and to identify what has been effective in cultivating more presence.
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This prompts you to shift from an all-or-nothing mindset to embracing steady, meaningful growth in your practice of presence.
Deepening the Practice: Journal Prompt
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we need to completely eliminate negative thoughts in order to experience peace. But Choosing Presence reminds us that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. Negative thoughts may still arise, but through consistent practice, we can change how we respond to them. Instead of letting them take over, we can recognize them, return to stillness, and reconnect with the present moment. The more we practice, the more natural this process becomes.
Think of a time when a negative thought or emotional reaction took hold of you. How did it influence your mood or actions? Now, imagine if you had paused in that moment—taken a breath, stepped back, and allowed stillness to settle in. How might your response have been different? Instead of aiming for perfection, what is one way you can remind yourself to practice presence the next time negativity arises?