Tag: mind

Tug of War!

Jennifred Jones

It’s a game of tug of war in my mind very often!

This morning, thinking what to accomplish, I was envisioning a sewing project already begun…kind of got excited about working on it and imagining how it could look. All of a sudden another thought pulled on my string of thoughts…’you don’t want to begin today. It’s too hot and you don’t really have enough time…’ (none of which was true)

It is like a game of tug of war in my mind sometimes. Who will be the strongest? Which thought will win? Which thought will I allow to win? Which will I cheer on and give the victory to?

Here are some of the strongmen holding the rope… negative and positive.

  • I can or I can’t
  • Should I or shouldn’t I?
  • I want to get started, but don’t think I can.
  • I want to but I don’t want to.
  • I can do it, but perhaps no one will like it.
  • I can get started, but think I’ll wait til tomorrow.

Have you played these games? Sometimes I don’t want to play, but those thoughts keep tugging, trying to entice me into their game of senseless competition.

I want to win the game! Will I allow myself to?

It will be my decision, and I can choose to win.

I will choose to win!

How about you?

Your Mind is a Treasure Chest

Jennifred Jones

What treasures are you keeping in your treasure chest? Your mental treasure chest?

Are they something valuable and helpful to you. Will these treasures be something you want to pass on to your children and future generations?

We lived in a century old brick house while the kids grew up. In the attic, the former owners left an old trunk…filled with treasures from days of yore. No expensive treasures, mostly vintage picture albums and pictures of people no one knew or remembered. Was kind of sad in a way…forgotten memories that no one was interested in anymore.

Sometimes we might need to or want to do a mental refresh, a housecleaning of sorts. Seeing what’s in our mind’s attic or basement that’s no longer benefitting us…might need to be tossed or given away. Old habits, old responsibilities no longer yours to deal with, old resentments, anger, jealousies to be removed. Get that treasure chest cleaned out so new sparkly treasures can be stored there…thankfulness, good memories, forgiveness, happy times, new friendships and adventures…things you want to savor and pass on.

Nothing wrong with the treasure chest, it may be old, but it’s still good. Just needs to be revamped with better treasures.

Venture into the attic of your mind. Look at the treasures stored. Make some good decisions and move ahead.

Your Mind is a Toolbox

Jennifred Jones

Inside our mind (brain) is a wealth of tools and resources to help move us forward.

When we’re stumped or in a difficult situation we can reach into our ‘toolbox’ and pull out a tool to help us! Sometimes we have to try several different tools to get the right one for that situation. As we mature in building our mind craft, we will notice other tools we’d like to add to our toolbox. We might see someone else successfully using a tool we don’t have and we’d like to work towards getting it.

Older tools, already in our toolbox, will need to be kept sharp, oiled, greased, polished etc. This is something we can do ourselves. But at times we’ll need to locate another craftsman to help us sharpen our tools.

‘Give me some examples of these tools and what they can do for me.’

  1. The plum-bob. An old-fashioned tool attached to a string to help us keep things straight up and down.
  2. The compass. Used by hikers and sea farers – keeps them going the right direction, so they don’t get lost or go adrift.
  3. The level. If things aren’t built level, gravity and wind will eventually blow them over.
  4. The hammer. We’ll need to keep pounding away through tough situations. Tenacity!
  5. The screwdriver. Needful to tighten down good habits.
  6. The sanding block. Smooths off rough edges that keep snagging us.
  7. The carpenter’s pencil. Used to mark points along the way showing progress.
  8. The crowbar. When we have hard things to pull out of our life, this will be handy.
  9. Clamps. These hold things in place while stuff adheres. Helpful in developing new habits.
  10. A resource guide. Will show you how to handle your tools for best results.

These are a smattering of tool choices. See which tools will benefit you. Some you rarely use, but when you need them, they’re good to have.

Be on the lookout for good tools. I like to go to second hand stores and find well-made, well-used older tools – proven over time to work and be effective.

Keep your toolbox cleaned out and organized…ready to use. You’ll be surprised what you can do!