I’ve been cleaning out my closets and have three piles going (keep, give away, and I’ve got to think about it). I’ve also been cleaning out the closets of my mind and am sorting my ideas and thoughts too into three categories: “Hell yes, hell no and maybe.”

It’s amazing what makes it into your closets. You pay more attention to what clothing ends up in your wardrobes than what thoughts you allow to take up residence in your minds.

Once you start to pay attention to what thoughts catch your attention, you can deliberately invite thoughts that feel good. You can choose thoughts that provide nourishment and support for your dreams and discourage the others – the negatives, the downers.

Starting a meditation practice (if you don’t already have one) is the best way I know to clean out your mental closets on a regular basis and create space for expansive, heart-centered thoughts and for no thought…

When you meditate you get up-close and personal to the ever-present stream of your thoughts. "Monkey mind" refers to that mental chatter that is your constant background commentary. It is mostly negative, petty and disempowering. It’s the chatter that talks you out of following your dreams, taking risks and going for it.

Monkey-mind chatter/negative self-talk belongs in the "to go" or “hell no” pile. Every time you hear yourself say, “I’m too fat, too old, too tall, too anything….” notice it and bleep it out. Replace it with any positive statement about yourself. This takes commitment and practice but the results are priceless.

There are many practices to support you in choosing the thought that feels better and discovering and releasing old beliefs that no longer serve you. You can learn to filter your thoughts and create new default thought patterns. You really do get to choose what hangs in the closet of your mind.

I’ll continue to share tips about cleaning the closets of your mind, creating space and choosing what ideas and thoughts to invite in, ready to wear. Learn more about my Life Coaching and Law of Attraction Coaching services by visiting my website: www.lifecoachparadise.com