“As a man thinketh . . . .”
That being true, your thoughts become exceedingly interesting. What are you thinking?
Positive or negative. I can either want X and or I can not want -X. Mathematically or logically, they are the same.
By spiritual impact, they are opposites.
“I want to be calm” and “I don’t want to be stressed” may seem interchangeable, but they are not.
A thought of “calm” introduces an image of calm in your head. A thought of “don’t stress” introduces an image of stress, then resistance to stress.
Which is preferable? The answer is obvious.
Action: every time you use the words “not“ or “no” or “don’t” immediately say to yourself “So, what do I want?”
Refocus your mind on what you’re running toward, instead of what you’re running away from.