This time of year makes me think of growth. It happens most often when I see flowers start to bloom in my garden. But this year, I’m thinking of personal growth that came by way of a nonfiction book.

Although nonfiction can be challenging, it often contains important voices that draw us toward spiritual, intellectual, and emotional health. That why I became determined to read a book by a cognitive neuroscientist. Who Switched Off My Brain: Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions by Caroline Leaf contained some technical content, I didn’t understand (or care much about), but I wanted to see if her research validated the theme for our historical fiction books, THE CHOICE Series. And it did!

Toxic Voices Influence Our Thoughts

Right up front, Leaf connected “Toxic Thoughts” with “Toxic Emotions.” She defines toxic thoughts as

Stored in our minds and cells. Wow! No wonder we hear self-destructive voices in our minds that factor into our choices. Leaf took that idea even further:

So, we’re not alone in our struggle with those voices. All kinds of people battle with this poison. Remember how my mother’s voice told me I should have an affair in my book, The Windblown Girl? Do you ever hear someone’s voice in your mind accuse you of being stupid or too fat? Or maybe that internal voice of Jealousy and Bitterness says “she didn’t deserve that promotion. It should have been mine.” “”Why does he get a Corvette, when I work just as hard as he does and can’t afford one?” Maybe that voice in your mind drips Self-Pity and Negativity. “If only my spouse would change.” “Poor me. My family doesn’t care.” “If only, I weren’t going blind, didn’t have arthritis, or made more money.” Or maybe Pride makes you feel superior–“I’m smarter, prettier, better . . .” And, on and on it goes.

Who We Listen To, It’s Our Choice

The good news is we don’t have to listen to negative, self-destructive thoughts. That’s huge. Leaf says:

Leaf goes on to say:

When we decide to reject thoughts related to Anger, Jealousy, or Self-Pity and choose Kindness, Love, Gentleness, Patience and so on–we’re transformed. Just like the Bible says in Romans 12:2.

Because Leaf’s a Christian, she validates that, too, and proposes a plan for how to make that transformation. If you’re struggling to make those changes, her plan is similar to how the Holy Spirit has worked this out in my life. For me, it involved identifying negative thoughts, rejecting those that are harmful (like jealousy, anger, resentment), and reflecting on God’s Word to implement different behaviors. That’s generated incredible transformation in my life. And, it’s why I write.

THE CHOICE Characters Struggle Like We Do

Nan Rinella and I are continuing to work on THE CHOICE Series because we hope readers will exchange toxic voices for those that nourish their souls. Like our characters, readers can be transformed away from self-destructive behaviors into those more and more satisfying. In that process, they’ll exchange their chaos and confusion for stability and peace–like I did in The Windblown Girl..

If you’d like to stay informed of our progress on THE CHOICE Series, please sign up for our free e-newsletter (see the form at the bottom of this page.) We’d love to have you come along on this journey with us.