---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We all have negative thoughts now and…"
description: "\"“We all have negative thoughts now and then, but we can choose not to dwell there and not to let them control us.”\" — Roy T. Bennett"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/523/roy-t-bennett-1606_inspiration_we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-th_30354.jpg"
---

#  We all have negative thoughts now and then, but we can…

![“We all have negative thoughts now and then, but we can choose not to dwell there and not to let them control us.” quote by Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/523/roy-t-bennett-1606_inspiration_we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-th_30354.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/523/roy-t-bennett-1606_inspiration_we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-th_30354.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/523/roy-t-bennett-1606_inspiration_we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-th_30354.jpg)

> ““We all have negative thoughts now and then, but we can choose not to dwell there and not to let them control us.””

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

We can acknowledge negative thoughts without allowing them to dominate our mental state.

**In simple terms:** Mindful detachment from harmful thoughts

Key Takeaway

Choose awareness over rumination

Themes

self‑awareness emotional regulation mindfulness cognitive control

Mood

calm reflective

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

- stressful workday
- personal setback
- argument with a friend

Key Concepts

thought patterns mental resilience

Practical Applications

- cognitive‑behavioral therapy
- mindfulness meditation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you notice a negative thought without reacting?
- What habit can replace rumination?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Inspirational attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-attitude/) [Inspirational life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-life/) [Inspirational quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-quotes/) [Inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life and living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-and-living/) [Life lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-lessons/) [Life quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-quotes/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Negative thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-thoughts/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Optimistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimistic/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Positive affirmation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-affirmation/) [Positive life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-life/) [Positive thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-thinking/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/)

## Related quotes

> [“Be careful the stories you're telling yourself about your current circumstances; a head full of negative thoughts has no space for positive ones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/be-careful-the-stories-you-re-telling-yourself-about-your-current/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“When we allow negative messages to fester in our head, they take on a life of their own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lolly-daskal/when-we-allow-negative-messages-to-fester-in-our-head-they-take-on-a/)

[Lolly Daskal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lolly-daskal/)

> [“It takes sunshine and rain to make a rainbow. There would be no rainbows without sunshine and rain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/it-takes-sunshine-and-rain-to-make-a-rainbow-there-would-be-no/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Failure is a bend in the road, not the end of the road. Learn from failure and keep moving forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/failure-is-a-bend-in-the-road-not-the-end-of-the-road-learn-from/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“When you do the right thing, you get the feeling of peace and serenity associated with it. Do it again and again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/when-you-do-the-right-thing-you-get-the-feeling-of-peace-and-serenity/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Great things happen to those who don't stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/great-things-happen-to-those-who-don-t-stop-believing-trying-learning/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Make improvements, not excuses. Seek respect, not attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/make-improvements-not-excuses-seek-respect-not-attention/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“If you care about someone enough, you’ll always be there for them no matter what.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/if-you-care-about-someone-enough-you-ll-always-be-there-for-them-no/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Don't Just Don't just learn, experience. Don't just read, absorb. Don't just change, transform. Don't just relate, advocate. Don't just promise, prove. Don't just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/don-t-just-don-t-just-learn-experience-don-t-just-read-absorb-don-t/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/listen-with-curiosity-speak-with-honesty-act-with-integrity-the/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Make peace with yourself before you move forward. Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/make-peace-with-yourself-before-you-move-forward-accept-yourself-love/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Focus on your character, not your reputation. Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/focus-on-your-strengths-not-your-weaknesses-focus-on-your-character/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Nothing can disturb your peace of mind unless you allow it to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/nothing-can-disturb-your-peace-of-mind-unless-you-allow-it-to/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/life-is-about-accepting-the-challenges-along-the-way-choosing-to-keep/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Be where you are, stop over-thinking, and focus on what you are doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/be-where-you-are-stop-over-thinking-and-focus-on-what-you-are-doing/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

## More by Roy T. Bennett

> [“Be where you are, stop over-thinking, and focus on what you are doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/be-where-you-are-stop-over-thinking-and-focus-on-what-you-are-doing/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/life-is-about-accepting-the-challenges-along-the-way-choosing-to-keep/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Top 15 Things Money Can’t Buy Time. Happiness. Inner Peace. Integrity. Love. Character. Manners. Health. Respect. Morals. Trust. Patience. Class. Common sense. Dignity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/top-15-things-money-can-t-buy-time-happiness-inner-peace-integrity/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/attitude-is-a-choice-happiness-is-a-choice-optimism-is-a-choice/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/learn-to-light-a-candle-in-the-darkest-moments-of-someone-s-life-be/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Nothing can disturb your peace of mind unless you allow it to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/nothing-can-disturb-your-peace-of-mind-unless-you-allow-it-to/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Focus on your character, not your reputation. Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/focus-on-your-strengths-not-your-weaknesses-focus-on-your-character/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Make peace with yourself before you move forward. Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/make-peace-with-yourself-before-you-move-forward-accept-yourself-love/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/listen-with-curiosity-speak-with-honesty-act-with-integrity-the/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Don't Just Don't just learn, experience. Don't just read, absorb. Don't just change, transform. Don't just relate, advocate. Don't just promise, prove. Don't just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/don-t-just-don-t-just-learn-experience-don-t-just-read-absorb-don-t/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“If you care about someone enough, you’ll always be there for them no matter what.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/if-you-care-about-someone-enough-you-ll-always-be-there-for-them-no/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Make improvements, not excuses. Seek respect, not attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/make-improvements-not-excuses-seek-respect-not-attention/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Great things happen to those who don't stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/great-things-happen-to-those-who-don-t-stop-believing-trying-learning/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“When you do the right thing, you get the feeling of peace and serenity associated with it. Do it again and again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/when-you-do-the-right-thing-you-get-the-feeling-of-peace-and-serenity/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [“Failure is a bend in the road, not the end of the road. Learn from failure and keep moving forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/failure-is-a-bend-in-the-road-not-the-end-of-the-road-learn-from/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

[Explore all 223 Roy T. Bennett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

## More Inspiration quotes

> [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/)

[H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/)

[Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/)

> [“Success is for a man whose stories of sruggles and chalenges are inspirations to and up coming generation..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelly-sanaba-c/success-is-for-a-man-whose-stories-of-sruggles-and-chalenges-are/)

Nelly sanaba .c

> [Loving you is the best feeling have ever had, and you loving me is the greater gift I have..I will be brave, I wont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fash/loving-you-is-the-best-feeling-have-ever-had-and-you-loving-me-is-the/)

Fash

> [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/)

[St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/)

> [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/)

Isaiah Harden (Me

> [You make me feel brand new today. Even my day is full of trials and pain…Thanks for everything...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lantapi/you-make-me-feel-brand-new-today-even-my-day-is-full-of-trials-and/)

[Richard Lantapi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lantapi/)

> [I have learned that you can go anywhere you want to go and do anything you want to do and buy all the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c-2/i-have-learned-that-you-can-go-anywhere-you-want-to-go-and-do/)

[C JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c-2/)

> [Every human creates his own problems. Problems are ones private property and we shouldnt meddle into them self-initiatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/every-human-creates-his-own-problems-problems-are-ones-private/)

[Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/)

> [“Serve in the grace of strength within thy soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/serve-in-the-grace-of-strength-within-thy-soul/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Be proud of who you are &amp; who you represent.You are unique, there is no other exactly like you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/be-proud-of-who-you-are-who-you-represent-you-are-unique-there-is-no/)

[Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/)

> [Have a Blast; Life wont last! Make the best of the journey before it is over!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-a-blast-life-wont-last-make-the-best-of-the-journey-before-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/)

[Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/)

> [“Complete - Yourself! Others may only enhance your completeness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lashauna-d-hinton/complete-yourself-others-may-only-enhance-your-completeness/)

Lashauna D. Hinton

[Browse all 17,129 Inspiration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We all have negative thoughts now and then, but we can choose not to dwell there and not to let them control us.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Roy T. Bennett"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-then-but-we-can-choose-not-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Inspiration"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-then-but-we-can-choose-not-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/523/roy-t-bennett-1606_inspiration_we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-th_30354.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/523/roy-t-bennett-1606_inspiration_we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-th_30354.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/523/roy-t-bennett-1606_inspiration_we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-th_30354.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We all have negative thoughts now and then, but we can choose not to dwell there and not to let them control…” — Roy T. Bennett",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Roy T. Bennett",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We all have negative thoughts now...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-then-but-we-can-choose-not-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/we-all-have-negative-thoughts-now-and-then-but-we-can-choose-not-to/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
