“Since new
developments are the products of a creative mind, we must therefore stimulate
and encourage that type of mind in every way possible.”
– George
Washington Carver
(1864-1943)
Educator
“Finally,
brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any
excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things .”
– Saint Paul
Philippians 4:8
/ NASV
Every living
thing needs to be fed. What does not get
fed, dies. Simple truth, but very
important to know. You have to feed your
dog, your kids, yourself and your gold fish.
However, it is not just giving things something to eat, it is giving the
right things to eat. We do not feed our
pets the garbage (unless you are raising pigs and then you may). You feed your children and yourself good food
because you know that will keep you healthy.
Well what about your mind? What
do you feed your brain?
In coaching, if you had a client
who was living off Twinkies and sick all the time you would quickly tell them
to change their eating habits. Well what
about the client who's thinking is sick?
The best thing you can do for them is get them on a healthy thought
diet. One that will make them strong,
healthy and full of energy. Here are
five things that are fun and healthy for anyone's brain.
1)
Encourage lots of positive thoughts
If you want to feel good you
need to think good. Positive thinking is
more than just thinking you can make it and a goal can be reached. It is the things that St. Paul recommended
when he said to think about things that are good, lovely, or good repute,
wholesome and kind. How do you find this
nourishing menu? Listen to positive and
up lifting music, speakers and watch healthy shows and movies. Read the Bible and inspiring quotes and
blogs. The more good and positive stuff
you feed your mind the more positive and good your thought will be.
2) Encourage
having lots of ideas
People do not always think much
about ideas. That is because they are so
common. You will have hundreds of ideas
in the course of the day. The best way
to use ideas to help and strengthen you is to start paying attention to
them. If you get an idea, no matter how
wacky it may seem, write it down and think about it. Many times these wacky ideas become the
foundation for some great, life changing ideas.
Remember the words of Albert Einstein who said, "If at first, the
idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it."
3)
Encourage lots of reading
Great thinkers are great
readers. Reading is the best food we can
get into our heads. It is tragic that so
many people never bother to pick up a book.
I once heard a man say that he got his college degree and now he doesn't
need to read. That shows he may have a
degree but he is far from educated. You
have access to more great material than anyone, no matter how great and
powerful, has ever had in the history of mankind. Use it.
Make reading a daily activity.
4)
Encourage lots of exposure to beauty.
Beauty has a way of inspiring,
motivation and calming us. We were
created to respond to beauty. The
thirteenth century Italian poet, Dante Alighieri wrote, "Beauty awakens
the soul to act." Success-minded
people should have a regular and healthy diet of beauty in their life. Go for walks in the woods or in the
country. Visit art galleries and
museums. Listen to beautiful music and
read poetry along with great works of literature. Beauty is all around us so you never need to
be without it as part of your daily life.
5)
Encourage lots of thinking
"Thinking is the hardest
work there is," said Henry Ford, "which is probably the reason why so
few engage in it." Thinking is not
some involuntary act that the body does without effort on your part, like
breathing and digesting food. Thinking,
real, productive, thinking, is a deliberate act and you must make it happen. Take time to think. Go for a walk, sit in a quiet room or engage
in an activity that stimulates your brain - like taking a shower. The more you think the better your thoughts
will be. Work things out in your
mind. Keep it positive, productive and
never fear adventure.
You matter to the world. You are here to make a difference and that
difference is good. Remember the
qualities of a real success-minded person: Be your best. Love God.
Have good manners. Discover the unknown.
Change the world.
John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker,
and Life Coach. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books,
training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our
website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.
© 2014 John
Patrick Hickey
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