Mind reading is the second type of negative thinking that occurs when we quickly jump to conclusions. While fortunetelling involves falsely assuming that situations will turn negative, mind reading involves making untested negative assumptions about people.
For instance, you may assume that others dislike you or will not respond positively to your suggestions, even though these assumptions are simply products of your negative thoughts. With mind reading, you firmly believe that you know how others feel about you, even when they have not expressed or done anything to suggest such feelings.
Ultimately, instead of engaging in conversation and genuinely understanding what others think of you, you prefer to torment yourself with negative beliefs. However, the reality is that you cannot truly know what others think about you unless you inquire. Occasionally, there is no denying that some people may indeed not like you, and there will always be critics in everyone's life, particularly when you stand up for something.
But if you refuse to let them, they cannot truly harm you. You always have the opportunity to focus on those who support you and to embrace and understand those who criticize you. The only question is where you choose to direct your mental energy.
The absurdity of mind-reading lies in the fact that assumptions are made about others before any real understanding is gained. One has no knowledge of another person's opinions, yet a negative construct is constructed in the mind to fuel negative thoughts and emotions.
Most importantly, your mind becomes your own worst enemy. Wouldn't it be preferable to visualize positive things instead? Ensure that your mind becomes an asset rather than a liability.
Why do people seek out fortune tellers?
Fortune-telling is a thriving industry. When your mind indulges in imagining all the potential negative outcomes, you seek a way to restore balance. Reassurance is needed to counteract the exaggerated negativity created by your mind.
That's when you visit a fortune teller, hoping to hear that everything will be fine, one way or another.
In the end, it is possible to observe positive signs. Eventually, you begin to trust yourself and have faith in life. This is why individuals often seek out fortunetellers.
In addition, there is no doubt that people lack trust in themselves and in life, leading them to search for external validation that things can turn out well. This provides them with hope, which in turn fosters a positive perspective.
However, relying on fortunetellers is merely a temporary solution with limited support. Before long, your mind may revert to negative interpretations of reality, such as jumping to conclusions or engaging in cognitive distortions.
As a result, people often find themselves repeatedly visiting fortunetellers to alleviate their insecurities. Unfortunately, this can become quite costly.
Therefore, a much better alternative is to gradually cultivate self-trust and faith in life. This involves developing a solid life strategy, acquiring skills that align with your challenges, and effectively managing your thoughts. Once you learn to manage your mind, external crutches become unnecessary.