You are not your thoughts. Every day we have 1000s of thoughts, emotions, urges, memories and feelings. From the time we wake up in the morning, all throughout the day, to when we lay down to sleep at night. No matter who we are, we all have thoughts swirling around in our heads. We even think and feel in our dreams.

Often, we don't realize how many thoughts we're having, and we get lost in them. Sometimes we're not even aware that we're thinking, we seem to be swimming in a sea of our own thoughts. When we are surrounded by our thoughts, it's easy to get caught up in them and react automatically. Sometimes, in ways we don't even mean to react. We might hold on to some thoughts, even when we don't want to. And it can feel like our thoughts are overwhelming. But thoughts are not facts. And they are not always true, even if they seem to be. Next time you feel caught up in your thoughts.

Try paying attention to them with curiosity, and not judgment. It doesn't matter if they were true or false, right or wrong. Just notice them. How fast or slow are they? Are they all very different from each other. Or perhaps you're having the same ones over and over again. Me maybe they're even focused on one theme. Some of these thoughts may be unwanted. But instead of reacting to them, notice what happens to your body sensations and your emotions when you have these thoughts. Perhaps you will notice if they are bringing you closer to or further away from what is important to you, or the goals you have for yourself. Observing your thoughts is a skill that takes practice, like playing an instrument.

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