“It is written – here, in my mind.”

Did you catch The 87th Academy Awards last month? I saw The Birdman recently and really enjoyed it.

If you look back at the winners of the Oscar over the past 20 years you’ll see that more than half of the winners for Best Motion Picture are about the ability of the human spirit to triumph over adversity and our own human weaknesses. We love going to the movies because we love to be moved and inspired. Movies like “Slumdog Millionaire”, “Crash”, Million Dollar Baby”, “Lord of the Rings”, “Gladiator”, “Titanic”, “Braveheart”, “Forrest Gump”, “Schindler’s List” move us with themes of redemption, heroism, hope, and triumph.

On the other hand, have you ever walked out of a movie feeling like you got ripped off? Like you were expecting something interesting to happen and nothing happened? What about a movie that leaves you worried or anxious? Would you go see that film again and again and again?

Yet, in a way, that’s what many of us have a tendency to do.  We  play scary movies in our head over and over. Angst- filled mind movies with themes such as  loss, hurt, pain, failure, futility, desperation and hopelessness.

So what about the movies in your head? Are you currently running inspiring tales of adventure and victory like Lawrence of Arabia or disaster films Doomsday Prophecy? Would you get an Academy Award  for  the stories you consistently tell yourself or would you get a big fat Razzie?  I call these stories that we play in the theater of our minds Mind Movies.

Like a film you watch in a cinema, the stories you hold in your mind will affect you, either positively or negatively. You typically don’t go to the theater and see the same film every day. But your mind movies are always with you. In a large part, they will determine your level of happiness and success in life. If you run scary and frightening scenarios in your mind then that’s how you’re going to feel. On the other hand, if the pictures in your head are of you overcoming challenges and moving forward in the direction of your desires,  then you will feel hopeful and energized.

You are the theater owner, determining what films will be shown in your mind.  But you are also the director of your mind movies.  What are the scenes in your head doing for you? Are they serving you? Or are they keeping you in a constant negative state by scaring the spit out of you? (Ever been so scared your mouth went dry? That’s what I’m talking about)

If what is playing in your head is not keeping you inspired and hopeful, then pull that reel off quick and put something else on that big screen! Here’s how to do it:

• Visualize what you want. First thing in the morning and last thing at night, imagine yourself accomplishing your goal. Put an inspiring and moving soundtrack to it. It doesn’t take very long, and it’s a powerful form of self-hypnosis.
• Get out a pen and paper and write the screenplay for your compelling  mind movie. What is the story that you most want told about your and your life? Make it exciting and  inspiring. We’re talking about writing down goals.
• Go out and rent movies that make you feel good. There are so many films out there that tell amazing stories of people overcoming the most incredible challenges. Notice how really inspiring movies stay in your head for a while?
• Create a vision board. Cut out pictures from magazines and catalogs of what you want and what you want to do. Make a collage on a bulletin board or firm poster board. Put a cut out photo of your head on the bodies of fabulous people doing fabulous things.
• Avoid watching stuff that brings you down! How much negative news do you really need?

Remember, images are the language of  the subconscious mind, the seat of your deepest habits and though patterns. Whatever images you hold consistently in your mind have a tendency to show up in your life. If the Mind Movies you are watching are the type that go straight to video and then end up in the bargain bin, then contact me and I’ll give you a ticket to a better film (using the magic of hypnotherapy.)

To hear a podcast of this blog, check out episode 45 at www.Tedinyourhead.com.

Ted