The Power House
The turning point of each stage/level of our lives depends largely on our mental attitude. The mind illuminates the whole body whether physical or spiritual. Whatever action taken or about to be taken goes through the mind first. The mind is a set of cognitive faculties that enables consciousness, perception, thinking, judgement and memory, (by wikipedia). After a lengthy tradition of inquires in philosophy,religion,psychology and cognitive science it's been concluded that the mind enables a being to have subjective awareness and intentionality towards their environment.
This emphasizes that we are in control of our thought process and responsible for everything that comes out of us which mostly translates to words and show of emotions or our actions. So if we are in control, doesn't it mean that we express what we have permitted our minds to feel?
You smile because YOU permitted a smile, you shout because YOU permitted a shout, you cry because YOU permitted a cry, you fight because YOU permitted a fight, you are silent about an issue because YOU permitted silence, you feel sad because YOU permitted sadness, you feel unhappy because YOU permitted unhappiness, you feel depressed because YOU permitted depression, you feel incompetent because YOU permitted it, you feel inferior because YOU permitted it, you tell your self 'i am a failure' because YOU permitted yourself to see you in that light, you feel incapable because YOU permitted. I could go on about the many things we see and feel we are, but you fill in the space, I feel ... because i permitted ..., I am a ... because I permitted ... Now the question is, what would you do differently?
I hear people make this particular annoying phrase " sorry, i didn't have a choice " I don't know what you think (would love to know though), but i think that every choice we make is the choice we made, so the decision we make when it seems like we don't have a choice, is exactly the choice we have chosen. It is one of two things, a yes or a no. So in the context of what i was saying, you alone decides exactly what you want to feel, (easier said than done right?) i know and i totally agree with you, but we have to make an effort, because the way you see yourself is the Way you are, which means you can never be lesser or higher than you see yourself .
A physician said, "many of my patients have nothing wrong with them except their thoughts. So I have a favourite prescription that i write for some, (Romans 12 vs 2) it reads "be you transformed by the renewing of your mind..." I totally recommend this prescription, when you direct your thought pattern positively, the outcome is going to be positive and if negative then negative it will be.
Our bible says, "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh..." so in agreement, i say out of the abundance of the mind we respond. Abundance in this context means it's been gathered, YOU put it there, so whatever you have inside is what you proclaim, so begin now to filter and declutter.
Meditate on this truth ; Romans 12 vs 2
"You are essentially who you create yourself to be and all that occurs in your life is a result of your own making" - Stephen Richards
Love,
Chidimma
Comments
For instance, it is most obvious that due to the heat, hectic and fast pace society like Lagos, people tend to have a harsh or abusive response to fellow drivers whilst on the road. At the instant (seconds), people have little or no time to think prior response, hence they react harshly. I have been a peculiar victim to the point I had the right words for every annoying driver on the road.
This attitude also affects our life style and how we respond to other people. Following proper self-examination. I unknowingly worked according to Romans 12:2. I knew I couldn't do it alone so I prayed about it.
Results - Totally revamped expressions :). Last time a man abused me on the road. I later drove next to him and smiled to say I was sorry. He laughed back and apologized for what he said.
Great piece again :)