You're not responsible for your first thought—but you are for the ones that follow.

We cannot control these initial thoughts, but we can observe them.

With our awareness, we can pause and choose which thoughts to entertain and which to disregard.

Compassion for that first thought—knowing it’s not in our control—acts like a net, catching us before we spiral.

The thought could be anything: "She is so beautiful." "I am a failure." "I am hungry."

When we can see them for what they are—a thought, not who we are, not what we are, not the truth of us—we keep ourselves from the trappings of fantasy or negative self-talk.

When we stop blaming ourselves and meet our minds with compassion, we take back the wheel. That’s the path to a healthier, happier inner world.

That first thought isn’t your fault. What matters is where you let your mind go next.