Uploaded August 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This presentation describes the research findings that led to the creation of the course I designed and that I teach in the Community Education Department at the College of Marin, called In Your Own Hands: A Course in Self-Empowerment. We don’t have to believe all our thoughts. The brain creates a constant barrage of thoughts. The ability to objectively observe those thoughts rather than being a slave to them is what creates wellbeing. Self-limiting beliefs are particularly destructive when we fail to recognize them as simply insubstantial mental constructs and mistake them for reality. It can be useful to believe our thoughts when those thoughts create hope, a sense of control, empowerment, self-efficacy, confidence, and any attribute associated with health. However, with thoughts that make us feel bad about ourselves or that take away our hope, it is important to learn how to defuse or disentangle from those thoughts so that they cannot harm us.
Every thought affects physiological functioning, but the degree to which we can objectively observe our thoughts has either a healthy or pathogenic affect on every cell in the body.
From my literature reviews, I discovered that more than any other single factor, good social connections and a sense of belonging within a community contribute the most to health and wellbeing. The second most important factor was meaning and purpose. It is important to identify our personal values and to then live our lives in harmony with those self-identified values, which then confers meaning and purpose.
For more information on the college course, visit: bit.ly/self-empowerment
This presentation describes the research findings that led to the creation of the course I designed and that I teach in the Community Education Department at the College of Marin, called In Your Own Hands: A Course in Self-Empowerment. We don’t have to believe all our thoughts. The brain creates a constant barrage of thoughts. The ability to objectively observe those thoughts rather than being a slave to them is what creates wellbeing. Self-limiting beliefs are particularly destructive when we fail to recognize them as simply insubstantial mental constructs and mistake them for reality. It can be useful to believe our thoughts when those thoughts create hope, a sense of control, empowerment, self-efficacy, confidence, and any attribute associated with health. However, with thoughts that make us feel bad about ourselves or that take away our hope, it is important to learn how to defuse or disentangle from those thoughts so that they cannot harm us.
Every thought affects physiological functioning, but the degree to which we can objectively observe our thoughts has either a healthy or pathogenic affect on every cell in the body.
From my literature reviews, I discovered that more than any other single factor, good social connections and a sense of belonging within a community contribute the most to health and wellbeing. The second most important factor was meaning and purpose. It is important to identify our personal values and to then live our lives in harmony with those self-identified values, which then confers meaning and purpose.
For more information on the college course, visit: bit.ly/self-empowerment
