3 February 2021
I am concerned for the collective, human species and the overall wellness of our minds. An unhealthy mental state is one that, like a cancer, destroys one’s wellness bit by bit. The mind is pillaged by thoughts of fear, paranoia, rage, confusion, and self-loathing. The unhealthy mind perceives danger in all things, with all people, and in all places. The unhealthy mind generates a fearful, dream-like state that, to it’s host, seems like reality. An unhealthy mind fully absorbs the attention of its host, and it leaves no room for anything but fear and loathing.
Mental health, however, is stepping away from that unconscious, dream-like state. In a dream-like state, reality is “covered” like a blanket, and truth is distorted like in a fairytale. Today, think about how you might become free from the trappings of an unhealthy mind. The freedom of which I speak is your ability to decouple from fearful thinking, to disengage from negative speaking, and to become skeptical of what the minds says. A healthy mind has space to know the difference between thought and reality. Furthermore, a healthy mind knows the difference between truth and falsehood – you don’t have to believe the thoughts that make you panic.
A healthy mind needs nourishment. Like the body, feeding your mind healthy activities is paramount in it’s road to recovery. To restore the mind to health is to give judicious care to what you consume. Consumption of negative comments on social media is not nourishing content to “feed” your mind. The mind needs images and words of beauty, of joy, of truth, and the truth is – you are OK. And we need to be reassuring to those who suffer. The truth is that you are not in control of your future, so let go of the pretense that the mind creates about it. Nourish your mind today and restore it to health by using healing words, encouraging thoughts, and most of all make time for mental quietness. Rest the mind, not by vegging in front of the TV, or by scrolling through social media. Turn off the noise, shut off the stream of thought, and experience the joy of the present moment, even if just for a minute or two. Nourish the mind with silence, if you can. Nourish the mind with goodness, so that it will become healthy, and wise. Wisdom can only come from a healthy mind, so do your part to restore mental health in the world. If your mind is healthy, it will give you the wisdom to effectively help others who are desperately struggling.