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You Are Not Accountable for Your Thoughts, Only Your Actions
“We don’t make thoughts appear, they just appear.” Byron Katie
Have you ever had a thought that shocked or embarrassed you? Maybe you imagined saying something hurtful, or a completely random, bizarre idea popped into your mind.
It happens to everyone and is part of how our brains work. While thoughts may seem alarming at times, they are often involuntary and not a reflection of your character.
What truly matters is how you choose to respond to them. Actions, not thoughts, define who you are. Understanding this distinction can help reduce guilt, build self-compassion, and empower you to focus on living intentionally and ethically…it’s the real you.
Understanding Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are those annoying, often unsettling ideas that barge into our minds uninvited. They’re super common — pretty much everyone has them.
We’re talking about stuff like suddenly imagining yourself yelling in a quiet library, worrying you left the stove on, or having a random violent or sexual thought that makes you go, “Whoa, where did that come from?”
These thoughts can be about anything: harm, sex, religion, you name it.