Turn a negative thought into a positive action

The enlightened ones I have read all seem to agree that it is difficult to harness the conscious mind. It seems to have a life of its own. One way I have found to surrender to negative thoughts is to answer a recurring negative thought with a positive action.
I recently left a job in which there was a real strained relationship with the business owner. I set my intentions on rebuilding and then maintaining a positive relationship with my former employer. Yet still negative thoughts would come forth. Instead of beating myself up or scolding myself for these thoughts or worse giving them credence and validity, I accept them while not believing them to be true and then look for positive ways to respond. In this particular case one of the big issues with my former employer from his side was my poor time and expense accounting. After being let go from my employer, I started up a family run business of our own. We found an excellent time and expense tracking system that we then procured and started using.
I recommended this time and expense tracking system to my former employer, even though they are now a competitor (technically speaking - hopefully more on competition later). This time and expense system, if they choose to adopt it, could provide them considerable benefit. I wish them well.
For me these unilateral positive steps create dissonance for my negative thought patterns. My conscious thoughts will soon magically start to comply with my positive actions, as the conscious mind tries to avoid inconsistency and dissonance.
Forgiveness is for one's self it is not for those to whom the forgiveness is directed.