What you feel deeply is far more important than what you are thinking. You may think about doing something for a long time and never do it, but when you feel something deeply you are spurred to act.

That which you feel yourself to be you are, and you are given that which you are. So, assume the feeling that would be yours were you are already in possession of what you feel, and your feeling must be realized in one way shape or form.

“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” Lao Tzu

Our thoughts are tied to our emotions, so when we try to become more aware of our emotions, we must first understand our thoughts and thought processes. Throughout the day, take note of what you say about yourself, how you talk about yourself, and what you say about situations you encounter.

If you notice your thoughts are more negative, practice mindfulness to discover why your thoughts are that way. Then, after reflecting, try to have more pleasant thoughts or thought processes. You might have to force it — you might not even believe it! But over time, it will influence your thoughts to be more positive.

Your perceptions come from your personal experiences, what you expect from yourself, and what you believe your abilities are. If your self-concept is healthy, you are more likely to take on challenges, achieve goals you’ve set for yourself, and live more positively overall.

Explore your self-concept and if you don’t believe it’s healthy, make an effort to change how you perceive yourself. This may be easier for some people and much harder for others — but it is possible.