When a disturbing thought enters your mind, be still until you have chased it away. Don't allow it to pass your lips.
If it won't stop pestering you, speak about it in confidence with a friend, someone who can empathize and provide encouragement and strength.
HM Thoughts Happyminyan, the point is not that you're not going to have negative thoughts, the point is that you don't turn five cents worth of annoyance into a churban. Reply
For Hadahra
The practical advice I received from a wise friend: Put aside a time, once a week, or once a month, to look over finances and determine a strategy to deal with them. Then just follow your decision and get on with life.
Everything needs boundaries.
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How can one NOT have negative thoughts when Gilad Shalit is still captive, the gov't is in collusion with Cond Rice to turn over parts of Jerusalem and most of Judea and Samaria on paper, and terrorists continue to be released? What has happened to us? Why this capitulation? Wouldn't it be a desecration of G-d's Name to not utter condemnation? Isn't righteous indignation justified? Mustn't there be speech that is brief but eloquently brutal followed by unified action? Reply
Sharing Negative Thoughts
Your advice is good - not to allow negative thoughts to pass one's lips. On the other hand I have found speaking to others about concerns may not be so good, unless you are 100% sure it is a person you can trust.
Now who can we trust 100%? No one. Only G-d can we trust with all of our thoughts. My experience has been with my dearest friends that they do the best they can, but sometimes they have a bad day or who knows, but words I have shared come back to haunt me. Words are powerful and can cut like a knife.
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advice on thoughts
Tzvi, my mentor and friend advised me to use the technique you describe some twenty years ago. Yes, it does help you maintain a positive mind set.
Your advice has helped me a great deal in many areas of my life i.e. making decisions, evaluating obstacles and keeping my mouth shut until I think before I speak on matters of importance and much more. Thank you.
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Thank you Tzvi for this small article.
This would then apply too to negative thoughts about ones life situation....no job...piling up bills etc...?
How to calm ones mind in those situations...
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Good thoughts Thank you. While it is hard never to say anything negative this would make us think before we speak. Although 52 I am trying to learn from the many thoughts I receive from Chabad. I will be more careful in the future.