We have all heard the expression, “You are what you eat,”
but have you ever considered, “You are what you think?”
I’d like to share a story with you.
Quite a few years back, I held my first position as a columnist for a
local newspaper. It was not long before I realized I needed a tougher skin if I
were to take the often very harsh comments by readers who seemed to take
enjoyment in publicly belittling others. “How could they be so cruel?”
I would ask myself, “Don’t they realize how hateful they sound?” The
more I pondered the nastiness of others, the more such feelings as inadequacy,
frustration, and bitterness filled my heart. Pride forced me to resign from
that job, but what would have offered me greater service would have been a
stronger ability to control my own thoughts. Admittedly, each time a scathing
letter to the editor was printed, I would not only allow myself to take it very
personally, but I also allowed the bitterness it caused to sour my whole day,
and thus, a wonderful opportunity was destroyed through no fault but my own.
How often are we all guilty of allowing negative thought patterns to
adversely affect our lives? Sad to say, it is a common practice, and thus, the
reason for numerous individuals walking around with heavy emotional baggage.
This baggage affects our relationship with God, and how we relate to others. A
heart filled with fear, bitterness or lust cannot be blessed by God. As your
thoughts are sown, so shall ye reap.
Before we can love God and others, we should learn to become your own
best friend. When you step before a mirror, rather than finding flaw, why not
first look for the positive? Rather than being quick to doubt, fear, or expect
the worst, why not give each individual and opportunity a chance to succeed?
Instead of entertaining and holding on to unproductive thoughts that do nothing
to draw us nearer to God or others, why not free your mind so that you may
invite love, peace and joy in?
Just as we have the choice to reach for junk food or a healthy snack,
so too, do we have the choice to control our mind, or to allow it to control
us.
