Does it really matter what we store up in our minds? A question that has weighed on me for some time now. It was not until recently that I got to know the extent to which our minds work. To begin, it is a known fact that we were all born with a clean slate, I mean we arrived as babies with no programmed opinions. There was absolutely nothing-'nada', just nakedness, no tags or emblem crested-on our little selves upon arrival. No labelling on the child reading, "good, bad, smart, genius, average, loser!" We all came plain and void, prepared to learn about this beautiful earth, our new home. Hence, whatever we have learned from birth until now are things we've heard, seen, experienced and believed, to mention but a few.
These funnels of communication inlets just mentioned have made it possible to form all our opinions as to what we can and can’t do; how far we can go and can't go. Our beliefs have however been formed and established as a result of the connection our senses make with our environment. There’s absolutely more to this, but in the meantime, let’s work with our concept on this platform.
Our surroundings have played an enormous part in forming our usual opinions and judgements. In light of the above, it is now left to us as individuals to take care of what we let in and how they are placed strategically to avoid any weeds (unwanted elements that can negatively affect our way of life).
The mind must be clean and organised in order to be productive, as it is what we let in that forms our opinions, beliefs and judgements. If there’s ever going to be substantial progress in our lives, the mind must be guarded and well looked after.
I have taken the liberty to illustrate the three (3) different conditions that our minds are usually placed on and what that means to our very own person as a whole. Basically, this is how it all started, I switched on my laptop, found a messy desktop staring back at me and so I decided to do some housekeeping; that’s where the inspiration came from, twelve minutes later, a picture of a "clear mind" appeared. These are now illustrated and highlighted in the screenshots below; let’s roll through.
1. The state of mind when we don’t watch the weeds grow….
2. State of mind when we clear out the weeds often enough (9 minutes later)
3. State of mind when we guard it with all vigilance against any weeds (3 minutes later)
Can you spot the difference between the three pictures? Obvious right? Let’s work through it then, briefly:
Picture-1. All cluttered and clogged, we can’t even see the background picture, very disorganised; the state of our minds when we allow almost-just-anything inside, how can we then be productive with this state of mind? Can we do better?
Picture-2. Much better, we can now see the background picture after doing some organising, grouping and managing? The state of the mind begins to get clearer and less clogged, there is a greater potential of productivity, focus and consequently, tangible results. Could this be done better and even neater?
Picture-3. Yes of course! You can now see everything in the background picture, it looks now more organised compared to twelve (12) minutes before; it looks even more attractive. Now much easier to locate files and navigate through the different folders without much hassle. The mind is clearer and we can become more creative with a purposeful platform. Real beauty resurfaces and shines as new light. Could it be done better, maybe, maybe not?
As you read through this, what’s going through your mind, I mean right about now? The thing is, you don’t want your mind to be empty with nothing of essence placed in it, otherwise the wrong things will fill it up and that’s even worse. You want to leave in your mind just the right ‘kinda’ things to set you up real good and to keep the weeds away. When you guard your heart and mind with all vigilance and diligence, you’ll always remain sharp and focused and will never be distracted, no matter what happens.
The screenshot of my desktop highlighted above expounds on the different state of your mind when you either do something about it, do nothing about it or guard it completely-keeping it in a perpetual state of cleanliness. “We are what we think”, the famous words by the well renowned Earl Nightingale; you are really what’s inside. Change how you look inside and you radiate something totally different and unique, a beauty unimaginable and unpredictable but awesome and inspiring.
Spend time with yourself and enjoy who you are, celebrate your essence and be proud to be to “you” for real!
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (King Solomon).
What are you doing about guarding your mind and keeping the weeds out? Are you being proactive? Are you procrastinating? If so, why? Please share and let’s get started right here!
