Does It All Begin In The Head
Posted: Friday, June 05, 2009
by Susan Thom
The way we think may very well be our biggest asset while on this Earth. And yet, without the proper training, we can be like fish floundering on a dock. Even with the proper training, we may be negatively influenced by situations and people who harm us and alter our way of thinking. If we are constantly being hurt by others, we may either turn inward and stay to ourselves, or become angry, bitter, and out to fight the world and all in it.
Is the Faith we profess hidden behind our hearts when someone or something annoys, aggravates, or angers us? Faith is simply a concept that we first think up in our heads. It calms us when we are upset, and strengthens us when we are weak. It then allows us to feel there is a Supreme Being loving us, watching us, protecting us. It's starts in the head. If that is the case, then we should be able to reason with ourselves, and be the type of person God would want us to be.
We have the power and the privilege to think whatever we want. If our neighbor's trees are a little on our side of the fence, we can just cut them. If someone says something nasty to us, we can dig down deeper and throw it right back in their faces. If someone cuts us off, we can yell at them at the stop light. But where does our Faith in humankind and the world go? It's alive and well while everything is going okay, but as soon as someone crosses us, look out.
And the strange part is, most of us still say our prayers each night. We've talked ourselves into believing that what we did was justified. "We've Talked ourselves", it's all in the head. We need to use the voice of reason more, and calm ourselves down. So what we were cut off? What does it mean in the realm of life? We have our spouse and kids at home waiting, and we think we're going to do damage to a six foot four biker?
We're going to walk down the street with a friend, laughing at the dress and stature of the person in front of us, and next thing you know, we're being shot and rushed to the hospital. When will we use the minds God gave us to think before we act or speak or decide to do something that won't be in our best interest, as well as others. It starts in the head. We all have the possibility of thinking in a kind, compassionate, loving way.
That thinking lends itself to action, and that action, when positive and good in nature, can change the world, one step at a time. There is no perfection. We all get angry, we all say things we don't mean, we might even throw something if we're mad enough. If that isn't our usual style, we will be very disturbed by our behavior. However, progress, not perfection, is the key. We can all handle a little progress.
If we do something we aren't happy with, the best solution is to think about it. Why did we act that way? How could we have acted differently? Can we work on our reaction to our emotions? Can we read something that will help us understand emotions better, and how to tame them to our advantage? Can we learn? Or are we so wonderful we don't need to?
Life is a constant journey. Every minute of the day is passing by. Is it nicer to spend those minutes harmoniously or worrying about what your last words to someone were? The brain we were given can be used in our favor, if we just learn how to tame the shrew and bring out the beauty. Words do hurt, sticks and stones do break bones, and yet, we all have the methods to stop our nasty words before they come out of our mouths. It all starts in the head.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Yeah Susan, I suppose it all starts in the head although sometimes before we speak some of our words come from the heart then to the head. What do you think?Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,i do think some things start in the heart, thankfully, i just wish people would start analyzing their thoughts before they do damage to others, in the same way that good comes from those who speak from the heart.thank you for reading and commenting,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
As a person of faith I need to try to put this scripture verse in action: Romans 12:2 "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."Please log in to respond to this comment.
let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."amen.i know i have come a long way from rebellious teen to the person I am today, and it all happened by me changing the way I thought.thank you david, for reading and commenting,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Sue, just moments ago I was derided because I don't freak out. They were not aware that I could hear their conversation, but as you stated, "We have the power and the privilege to think whatever we want."It's clear thinking that can save us, as I gleaned from your well-written and relevant article.Awesome ...Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi ken,as you know, the heart feels something when someone leaves a kind comment. thank you for warming my heart,best regards to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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