Protect Your Mind

The mind and its thoughts deserve protection. The mind is susceptible to the myriad influences that is our surroundings and experiences. Remarkably, the state of our mind can exacerbate an illness or hasten recovery. Truly, the mind is an extraordinary entity.

Quick Story

When I was a teen, there were several horror movies that gained popularity amongst my friends. Think 'Horror movies of the eighties' and you'll know the ones to which I am referring. In any case, I always felt omitted from any of my friends' conversations about head spinning demons, random blood at parties, or murderous cars. Years later I asked my dad why I never got to watch those movies. He stated that the movies were simply not for me. The end. No deep conversations. And, in my adult life, I thanked him for protecting my young mind in that way. I understand that today's challenges are not the same as yesterday's challenges. My children have access to so much more and it is a constant conversation about appropriate content, physical activity, and balance. My dad said, 'No you can't see that movie.' and we moved on.

What we know so far

(Reasons to monitor input)

For a long time, people thought humans acted only through conscious (aware) thoughts and choices. But in the 1800s, ideas like hypnotism and evolution showed that unconscious (unaware) processes might also influence our actions. Even today, many scientists think that conscious thinking is the main driver of human behavior, partly because most studies on the unconscious have focused on things we barely notice, like subliminal messages.

However, new research suggests that the unconscious mind is more powerful and helpful than people thought. Instead of only reacting to hidden signals, the unconscious handles actions and decisions without us realizing it, often based on things we do notice but don’t think about deeply. This is especially useful when our conscious mind is distracted, like daydreaming about the past or future. It’s like the unconscious is running things smoothly while the “boss” is away.

Bargh JA, Morsella E. The Unconscious Mind. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2008 Jan;3(1):73-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.x. PMID: 18584056; PMCID: PMC2440575.

Cortex and Calves

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Activity I've done...

Journal this response: When do I act out of fearful thoughts, and when do I act out of loving thoughts?

Try this: List the shows your watch and the books you read. Are they giving you positive messages or negative messages? After you’re done with a show, book, or even a conversation, do you feel negative and judgmental about people and the world? Or do you feel happy and excited? Decide to skip the things that insert negative messages about people and the world into your mind. There is lots of good in people and the world. Just look for it.

A gift for readers ages 9 and up!

Sci Fi Book Set!

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Quotes

Our minds are fed by us. The mind will be whatever we feed it.

Happiness, or misery, is in the mind. It is the mind that lives. William Cobbett

Fortune favors the prepared mind. Louis Pasteur

The energy of the mind is the essence of life. Aristotle

If we can grow to have deeper levels of thinking, our thoughts can become more powerful.

Thoughts are in your mind. The thoughts in your mind create and change the world you experience.

To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. Buddha

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha

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DF Darwood