A Healthy Mindset is a precious thing to have because it can navigate us through life’s UPS and DOWNS with assurance you will come out landing on your feet every time.
A healthy mindset guards against depression, anxiety, a sense of entitlement and an attitude of complacency towards life and with our relationship with God and others. A healthy mindset is an intentional practice because it chooses not to be a victim of circumstance of our own demise.
A healthy mindset is aware of the signs and symptoms of unhealthy thinking, and it will intentionally set up a guard against it by practicing Mental Wellness.
This world can be an ongoing MADNESS but WE don’t have to go MADD!
In 2023 a good practice to start the new year off right is to decide to have a healthy mindset. This means practicing mental wellness as a daily discipline. Practicing Mental Wellness on a daily basis is like wearing a protective guard around your heart, mind and spirit. This will allow you to live life and to see life from a lens that will help you experience the day to day from a healthy perspective even when tragedy hits.
What does this practice look like?
HEALTHY AWARENESS:
* You are merely a mortal human being. You did not create yourself and there are aspects of life you will NEVER understand because you are not God. You are entitled to nothing in life except to live for God who is your creator therefore, it’s dangerous to think arrogantly in this way. Accept change with humility, prayer and grace. (pray this “Serenity Prayer”)
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference”
HEALTHY ATTITUDE:
* An attitude of gratitude will help you to focus on the best things in life, the most important things in the day today. Gratitude breeds peace, humility and contentment and allows you to put everything in life in right perspective. Use a gratitude book or journal to keep you focused.
* “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:8-9)
* “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2)
HEALTHY PROCESS:
* Healthy Living requires a practice just like unhealthy living is a practice, it just doesn’t require our attention. It is easy to think and live recklessly because we don’t have to pay attention to what we do or say. Healthy Living requires a similar practice. The practice of “Paying Attention” to ourselves. The practice of making choices that are better for us rather than against us.
* Every day is a CHOICE of Life and Death. So how we navigate through life each day is totally up to us.
* Don’t take yourself or life so seriously. Laugh stuff off, be grateful, shake your head and keep it moving.
* Don’t compete with the falsehood of social media. Do a cleanse/Fast a week, every 3 weeks!
* Avoid the isolated pity-parties we are so tempted to bathe in.
* Without a plan, chaos is inevitable. Without the work you are sure to fail.
* Grief is normal and healthy. understand it and allow it to have its perfect work in you
HEALTHY SUPPORT:
* Choose the people around you… who also think and live healthy too.
* Become a part of something with others that’s bigger than yourself.
* Practice Prayer and Bible Study weekly to gain wisdom and right perspectives from a godly viewpoint.
* Be Teachable. We know TRUTH when we hear it, whether we like it or not. Obey what is right, good and truth. It will protect and save you and surround you with favor and grace.
* Invest in professional help if Healthy Living is hard to do on your own.
Finally, realize life is a GIFT! You did not have a decision in the plans that gave you the gift of life but rather, God chose you. Consider then what you are here for. Consider what God desires to do in you and through you. This is the most important purpose in life and how you live it out is where you will find great joy. Shake off self-centered thinking and put on a Christ-centered Heart, Mind and Spirit.
The world and its various cultures continue to define the meaning of life without God. This is a fool’s pursuit and one we should never follow. If we keep this in mind as our foundation to life, love and purpose we will live and prosper and enjoy life no matter what is going on around us.
Karen Gaithers-Life Discipleship 