Turning Toward Presence
Moving Beyond Negative Thinking and Gossip
Turning Toward Presence
There are moments when I catch myself slipping into negative thoughts. A small frustration appears, and suddenly I’m replaying old stories, judging myself or someone else, or imagining situations that haven’t even happened. It’s startling how quickly the mind can spiral into patterns that feel familiar but leave me heavy and tense inside. In those moments, it becomes clear how much negative thinking narrows my world and pulls me away from the peace that is always available.
Jim Heaney writes that negative thinking is a form of unconsciousness, a quiet force that erodes our inner confidence and disconnects us from God’s presence. And then there is gossip, that outward expression of inner unrest. When I find myself tempted to share something unhelpful or unkind, it almost always reveals something unsettled in me. It’s humbling to admit, but necessary, because awareness is frequently the pathway back to presence.
It takes courage to interrupt these patterns. When I pause to breathe, and ask myself how I feel inside, something shifts. I can sense the difference between the turbulence of my thoughts and the steady quiet beneath them. In that pause, the negative storyline loses its grip, and the impulse towards negative thinking fades. I remember that I have a choice. I can return to the present moment, where God’s Spirit gently reorients me toward truth, compassion, and peace.
This is the gift of presence. It doesn’t shame us for our negative thinking or deny the hurts that trigger it. Instead, it offers a way through—a simple practice of noticing, breathing, and choosing again. Every time we step out of negativity and return to presence, we reinforce a healthier, more loving way of being. And slowly, almost imperceptibly, our inner life begins to change.
Take the Next Steps in Presence
Ready to go deeper? These journaling questions will help you reflect on Chapter 7 of Choosing Presence and explore how letting go of negative thoughts and gossip opens the heart to peace.
Negative Thinking – Enroll in Awakening to Presence and experience how redirecting negative thinking restores your heart to the calm and clarity of God’s presence.
Brian Mueller – Poet, Community Organizer, and Spiritual Guide
Brian Mueller is a poet and community organizer based in Dayton, Ohio. He serves as Director of Education & Engagement for ChoosingPresence.org and is an active member of the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, where he co-leads writing retreats that support men’s spiritual journeys. As a writer, Brian is known for his candid, accessible poetry, with works including Cock‑A‑Doodle‑Doo: 100 Morning Haiku, the Poem of the Day series, and the Bull Series. Inspired by poets like Rumi and Mary Oliver, he believes everyone carries the voice of a poet within.
