Never underestimate the power of the mind.
Our thoughts are the most powerful thing in the world. How we think creates the emotions we feel.
And the emotions we feel are triggered by an event and how our brain chooses to deal with that event.
If a close friend fails to answer my call, I can jump to the conclusion that he or she doesn’t want to speak to me. Naturally, that thought is likely to make me feel upset and insecure.
By the same token, I can think rationally. He or she is probably busy or doesn’t have access to their mobile. Not such a big deal is it? I feel fine.
If our thoughts are mostly rational and positive, are emotions are pleasant and our frame of mind optimistic.
The world is your oyster. Nothing is too hard. Nothing is too big.
Most people at some stage in their life will fall to the dark side.
Their ability to rationally assess a situation wanes. Their emotions become distressing. Suddenly the world we live in is filled with sadness. Others around us are bad people. The community we once loved is one we now despise.
The only thing that makes a bad world bad is how we choose, or subconsciously gauge, the events that surround us.
A relative of mine has had his fair share of battles with schizophrenia. Everybody loves my cousin. He is charming, laid back, funny, warm and honest.
But on more than occasion, he has lost complete control of his mind and slipped into a psychosis; a state of mind where hallucinations take over and an evil demon seizes control.
The schizophrenia has been so severe at times, my fun-loving relative has attempted to seriously harm his parents.
The loveable character who wouldn’t harm a fly suddenly loses control of his thoughts and becomes capable of doing the unthinkable.
That’s the power of the mind.
Twenty years ago, a bloke would never admit he was depressed. ‘Depression means you’re weak’, his friends would say. ‘Harden up. Get on with it.’
Fortunately, awareness of mental health is growing each day. Honest identities like Garry McDonald and Craig Hamilton have openly spoke of their battles with depression and anxiety. This helps break down the vibe associated with serious mental health issues.
A person with a broken arm is obviously physically hindered. Depending on his or her job, it’s likely that person will be looking at stint at home on sick leave.
A person who is so wound up that leaving the house seems like climbing Everest, may be as fit as fiddle. Others will fail to see the trauma and ‘sickness’ that person feels.
And that person will begin to feel responsible, guilty and worst of all, weak.
Luckily the mantra surrounding depression is changing. It’s widely acknowledged and the general population understand the condition more often than not has nothing to do with the events shaping that person’s life.
But there’s still a long way to go.
A couple of years ago, on the school bus through to Canberra, a few of the lads were discussing the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. One of the boys remarked on how Marcus Trescothick had pulled out of the series to face the demons of depression.
“Trescothick’s a weak c@#*. He’s got depression. What a baby,” the boy said.
The comment was enough to make my blood boil.
Fortunately, that outlook is beginning to change.
More people now realise the key to happiness lies in your thoughts. The event (A) is always followed by a thought (B) which results in an emotion (C).
If we can learn to develop some sort of control over B, our lives are likely to be pleasant and the environment we live in peachy.
Never underestimate the power of the mind.
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