Upstream or downstream?

Easiest way to sift through thoughts that work for or against you

Photo of water in motion from Cristian Mercado on Unsplash

I love super-simple ways to bring in greater ease, clarity, and joy.

Since our thoughts shape our reality—and also show us how we’re viewing, holding, and moving through our reality—I love looking at thoughts to notice, very simply …

Is this an upstream thought or a downstream thought?

I got this from Abraham-Hicks.

Is this thought taking me toward stress, fear, disempowerment, a sense of doing it wrong [or not doing enough, or working with the cards stacked against me, or keep filling in the blank to match what you steer yourself into]? Or is it taking me toward greater ease, trust, joy [or empowerment, or a sense of potential & possibility, or keep filling in the blank to match what you prefer]?

Upstream or downstream? Am I riding the current to get to where I want to go with ease and efficiency? Or am I pushing against the current and costing myself a whole lot of wasted energy as I feel increasingly exhausted and lose any sense of well-being?

And note that thoughts, much like potato chips, aren’t really interacted with one at a time. So in a series or sequence of thoughts, you might notice what’s upstream and what’s downstream.

I can’t seem to get ahead.
Upstream thought.

I work so hard but it’s not really getting me anywhere.
Upstream.

I’m really just bad at the whole money thing.
Upstream.

Things really aren’t great in my field for anyone right now.
Upstream—maybe thinking about pointing downstream, because now it’s less personal and contains less self-blame, but it has a victim component and isn’t exactly hopeful or empowering. Still, maybe you’re trying to tilt the paddle the way the instructor showed you works better. …

I’m really trying.
Upstream (maybe masquerading as downstream, but nope, still no).

I just can’t seem to get ahead.
Squarely back upstream.

Um, so how do you get downstream from there?
​

The problem with those potato-chip thoughts is, you keep grabbing the next one, the next one, the next one, and there’s a momentum that revs up. It gets harder and harder to go in the other direction.

So INTERRUPT the upstream thinking as soon as you notice it. The quicker you interrupt it, the less momentum it builds taking you the way you actually don't want to go! Then just reach. One thought at a time. Reach for the easiest downstream or canoe-shifting or oar-reposition thought you can see to reach for.

I’m actually okay right now.
Definitely heading the right direction.

My basic needs are met.
Downstream.

I’m actually well.
Downstream.

I usually like my life.
Angling a bit upstream, especially if the focus is on usually, but not bad, not bad.

I’ve really come a long way with money stuff.
Downstream.

I’m doing better than ever.
Downstream.

I wasn’t sure I could pay off that credit card debt, but I totally did.
Downstream.

Of course, I still have no savings.
Upstream!

I’m fortunate to have a job that many would be happy to have.
Okay, heading roughly in the right direction. Especially if you’re not feeling that in any way that resembles, I really should be grateful or this job, too, will be snatched away. (Ay, the gratitude thing can be slippery.)

I actually like my job.
Downstream.

They’re not paying me what I’m worth, though.
Upstream.

I mean, I often love my job.
Downstream.

And I’m getting better and better at what I do.
Downstream.

That could actually mean more money.
Downstream.

Someday.
Um …

But with my luck--
Upstream!

I did get a raise last year.
Downstream.

From there, you could go upstream (So Goddess knows how many years till the next one) or downstream. You can always next go upstream or down with your next thought.

Let’s string together a bunch of downstream thoughts, because that’s where I want to invite you to take yourself when you do this at home. (Go ahead! Boldly try this on your own at home!)

So between that and the debt I paid off, it really is better.
And there are more ways to make money besides raises.
And in the meantime, I love my life.
I don’t need to figure this money thing out right now.
I don’t even need to give it my focus.
I’m open to inspired ways to bring money in and feel good about what goes out.
I’ve gotten so much better at things I used to think I’d never do better with [even better, name one or more specific things], so I can get better at money too.
Money, to the Universe, is no thornier or trickier than any other topic, and I’m willing to keep shedding old ideas about my identity as hopelessly money-challenged.
Nothing is hopeless. Everything is hopeful.
In fact, things work out for me.
Things are always working out for me.


It really helps to do this out loud or on paper, not in that morass of the mind.

Write down your thoughts about money (or whatever) so you can see a sequence in black and white. Do that, then go back and ask about each one, Upstream or downstream?

Or ask someone you love to hear you speak your thoughts out loud, and do that one sentence at a time. Have them simply ask after each sentence: Upstream or downstream? And you answer.

Say a few typical thoughts, and once you get the feel of what you’re doing to yourself with your upstream line of thinking, consciously head downstream!

With a little practice, you could get really good at cultivating downstream thoughts, and living the downstream life!

Love & blessings, Jaya

If you'd like to play with reaching for better-feeling thoughts, check out this simple guide to doing just that.