Our Powerful Mind

Recently all our lives have become fraught with uncertainty, conflict, and anger.  You cannot live in this country (and probably the world) without feeling the unrest, stress and tension present everywhere you go (even if you never leave your home).

We are being bombarded by negative messages, nastiness, and even lies, which are almost impossible to avoid hearing or reading.  It is extremely difficult to decipher truth and reality from these tweets, posts, ads, and news stories.

In my opinion, the only thing I have total control over, is my own mind.  I can decide if I am going to let these negative messages affect my thinking.  I can make the decision to live in the now and believe in my own truth.

I have been faced with a situation that was not easy for me.  After quarantining and working at home from March till August, my employer expected me to go back to the office.

I had spent 5 months…

• Not going anywhere except the grocery store. 
• Not visiting my children or family all summer.
• Not eating any food that wasn’t cooked in my kitchen.

I was filled with an uneasy feeling, even fear, at going out into the world again.

I made a decision to stay mindful and not let my fears overtake me.  I would do all I could to stay safe and not get caught up in the fear.  This was a decision I could make where I would do my job and stay safe at the same time.

“Our life is shaped by our mind, for we become what we think.”

Buddha

So many times my mind will take me to crazy places.  It usually takes me a couple of minutes to realize what’s happening and to rein in my thoughts.  My daydreams tend to travel to the future and, “What If…” scenarios.  Believe me, they are never happy endings.

Things we can do to take control of our mind:

• learn to live in the moment – be aware of times your mind tries to wander
• use exercise as a way to focus your thoughts on your body
• be aware of the food you put into your body and focus on it while eating
• be aware of the effect other people’s opinions have on your thoughts
• meditate/sit quietly each day to train your mind to find peace

I know that if I fail to control my own mind, I cannot be in control of anything else.  Committed to these small practices has greatly improved not only my mental, but my physical being also.