I take a class on Monday and Wednesday nights at my gym. It's a very tough, "boot camp" style class. Some days it's hard enough just to get there in time for the 5:15pm start. This is not one of those classes that make exercise so fun that you don't think about how hard you're working out. You know very well how hard your working every minute you're in there. At the most recent sessions I've noticed a phenomenon I've heard about and read about and certainly believed was true, but my exerperience in class really hit home.
You've probably heard reports that have talked about the impact of upbeat music on your mood and especially your workouts. The instructor on a recent Monday night played so many great classic rock tunes that -- while the class was still very hard -- certainly seemed to make the effort seem a little easier. While the Wednesday night instructor (probably half my age) played his usual tunes that are just background noise to me. Since Monday night was so fresh in my mind, the memory was very vivid.
Add to the Wednesday night experience the fact that I was near a person who thought she'd share with me how much she hated certain exercises. By the time class was over I could tell that I hadn't been pushing myself as hard as I usually do.
The point is that people in our environment and who we listen to impacts our own thinking even when we don't intend for them to. Our mood is so easily influenced that even music can help us feel more upbeat.
So if you're thinking negatively about your work environment...if you're thinking unChristian thoughts about the people you work with and the clients you serve...then it's time to think about how you're allowing yourself to be influenced by others in your environment. How can you bring more positive people into your circle? How can you stop (or at least minimize) the impact of the negative people in your environment?
As you surround yourself with people who are more positive and kind you'll discover more positive thoughts and beliefs finding a home in your heart and mind.
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