We have examined in detail the immense power that we have over our own emotions. Learning to galvanize the qualities, which make us unique we can become beings of action instead of beings of reaction. When we control our own emotions then we have set our spirit free from the will of external factors. No longer can someone or something affect the state of our own mind. We harness our imagination, our independent will, and our ability to reflect with conscience in order to fight off offenders. This battle will not cease. As we grow stronger the attacks upon our spirit grow stronger. Our darkest weaknesses are brought to the fore.
In this leadership journey we cherish the moments we have to spend alone in reflection. This is our medicine. We develop the unique skills we have been granted by our creator during meditation. We can decide now, while unabated, how we plan to control our own mind and our own emotions when under attack. We use our imagination to prepare our spirit for future events. The battle from without is not the only one, however. The purveyors of wickedness have already planted seeds in our mind, which have yet to germinate. When they do we find our self at war with our own mind.
The apostle Paul reminds us that our war is not with the flesh but rather our battle requires, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." It is instructive for us to investigate the forms in which our own imagination is at war with our spirit. At the moment let us draw our attention to one of the subtlest forms of this battle. It is the great evil, which places our own self under near constant attack from within, worry. We may master the ability to ward off emotional attacks from those around us, but the worry generated in our own mind is a most formidable opponent.
Imagine now the range of speculative events in which our own mind has to choose from. The repertoire of weapons is nearly infinite. Will a meteor strike the earth tomorrow? What is it with all of these natural disasters? Will my car get stolen? What will happen to my loved one? Am I sick? Does my boss think I'm doing a good job? Did I upset my spouse yesterday? Will my children lead happy lives? What will happen if all of the rivers are polluted? Will the economy ever recover? How will I pay all of these bills? Will this politician save us? When is our savior returning? What did my friend think about my new pair of shoes? Of course we could go on and on and on listing more fears that bear down upon our own mind. Are we men and women of action? We have learned to defeat reaction. What is preventing us from muting the fears in our own mind? Can we change anything by simply worrying? Fear morphs reason into fanaticism. Only we can decide the outcome. Who stands to gain if we live in fear? We must resolve that fear shall never control our own mind, nor shall fear nullify our ability to reason.
Copyright © Robert Clinton Chedester 2012
In this leadership journey we cherish the moments we have to spend alone in reflection. This is our medicine. We develop the unique skills we have been granted by our creator during meditation. We can decide now, while unabated, how we plan to control our own mind and our own emotions when under attack. We use our imagination to prepare our spirit for future events. The battle from without is not the only one, however. The purveyors of wickedness have already planted seeds in our mind, which have yet to germinate. When they do we find our self at war with our own mind.
The apostle Paul reminds us that our war is not with the flesh but rather our battle requires, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." It is instructive for us to investigate the forms in which our own imagination is at war with our spirit. At the moment let us draw our attention to one of the subtlest forms of this battle. It is the great evil, which places our own self under near constant attack from within, worry. We may master the ability to ward off emotional attacks from those around us, but the worry generated in our own mind is a most formidable opponent.
Imagine now the range of speculative events in which our own mind has to choose from. The repertoire of weapons is nearly infinite. Will a meteor strike the earth tomorrow? What is it with all of these natural disasters? Will my car get stolen? What will happen to my loved one? Am I sick? Does my boss think I'm doing a good job? Did I upset my spouse yesterday? Will my children lead happy lives? What will happen if all of the rivers are polluted? Will the economy ever recover? How will I pay all of these bills? Will this politician save us? When is our savior returning? What did my friend think about my new pair of shoes? Of course we could go on and on and on listing more fears that bear down upon our own mind. Are we men and women of action? We have learned to defeat reaction. What is preventing us from muting the fears in our own mind? Can we change anything by simply worrying? Fear morphs reason into fanaticism. Only we can decide the outcome. Who stands to gain if we live in fear? We must resolve that fear shall never control our own mind, nor shall fear nullify our ability to reason.
Copyright © Robert Clinton Chedester 2012