Nurture Your Mind
“You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.” — Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes
Most people’s problems result from thoughts about a situation outside their control. Allow me to unpack this in more detail. Reflect on an area of life causing you frustration. What if you were to hand it to an outsider and ask them to assess it from their perspective? Would they feel the same about it? You might think not because they are less invested in it than you are. Therein lies the problem. Your attachment to unpleasant circumstances closes your eyes to seeing it from another viewpoint. What if there’s a better way of taking ownership of your thoughts?
Since you cannot see your thoughts until they manifest into reality, you may question whether you contributed to your problem. The mind can be a powerful ally or foe. I liken it to the tale of the Two Wolves Within and The One You Feed. You can feed the good wolf or the bad wolf. Either way, we should tame the mind with the right stimuli to experience greater success. It was the late American motivational speaker Zig Ziglar who said: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.” Therefore, nurture your mind with empowering thoughts to become a powerful asset. Does this make sense? Are you willing to continue working on yourself despite outside forces acting upon you?
There’s A Reason For Everything
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” — Plutarch
It’s no secret that everything in your world begins at the level of the mind, as thoughts. The Hermetic aphorism states: “As within, so without.” What you hold in mind will become your reality, whether or not you like it. This is empowering because it allows you to become the architect of your life, not a mere spectator of your destiny. If you are unconscious of your thoughts or carrying unresolved childhood traumas, they are likely to manifest somewhere in your future. The father of psychoanalysis, Carl Jung, said: “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
The greatest minds in history knew that success results from mental discipline and knowing oneself at a deeper level. For example, many people don’t know what they want until it shows up, which is not as they imagined. Similarly, their reality is built around unconscious thoughts because they are unaware they exist. They are not clear on their ambitions or dreams but are pulled along by life, hoping they will end up where they need to be. This is the person who proclaims: “There’s a reason for everything,” but has no clue what the reason is.
For example, most people want to be in a loving relationship and have a list of qualities their ideal partner should have. They might attract their romantic interest after a while since they have given it their attention and energy. However, once the partner enters their life – if the individual has not reconciled their unconscious thoughts from the past – it will likely cause problems in the relationship since the other person will mirror their insecurities.
Develop a Greater Sense of Self
“There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind – you are the one who hears it.” — Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul
The self-aware person attracts circumstances consistent with their highest self, not just to satisfy their ego’s needs. To discipline your mind, focus on self-development and cultivate a greater sense of self. As the saying goes, success is the by-product of the person you become. The self-aware person spends years honing their strengths and managing their weaknesses. In her influential book Mindsight, Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck distinguishes between a fixed and a growth mindset. A person with a fixed mindset believes intelligence is static, often getting absorbed in their problems. On the other hand, a person with a growth mindset sees intelligence as something that can be developed through nurturing and discipline.
Positive thinking alone does not improve your situation; it merely masks what lies beneath the surface. The key to greater success lies in integrating the fractured aspects of your character into the wholeness of your being. To discipline the mind, focus on what you wish to see in your world and hold an unwavering commitment to make that your reality. You will be tested and pushed to your limits, but your investment in personal growth will serve you well during these times. Have you experienced this in your own life?
Success in life results from forging the mind just as a blacksmith tempers hot steel, fabricating it into a finished product. The eminent theoretical physicist Albert Einstein proclaimed a century ago: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” After all, if you wish for greater success, develop a new mind and paradigm to perceive the world around you instead of being at the mercy of your unconscious mind.
Are You Ready to Transform Your Life with Confidence?
Are you ready to transform your life and unlock your potential? Start your journey with me today! My Life Coaching Program has empowered many to achieve lasting change. Schedule your FREE 30-minute consultation now and take the first step towards a brighter, more confident you.
Tony Fahkry
Expert Life Coach
