How one views the world determines how one reacts. The view will also determine how far a person is willing to go to achieve one’s definition of greatness or success. A mind shift change is not a subject that I have given much thought to until I realized it is the current theme. To shift one’s mindset takes a lot of practice and conscious thought. I have shifted my mind to think and perceive the world differently in some areas. For example, I have realized that there are few times in which I need to be first at the light or rush to a destination, so I have chosen to take my time and enjoy the ride. After all, those places will still be there when I get there. I had to make a conscious decision to view my driving habits. After all, how much fun is it to get high blood pressure? LOL.
I have decided to view people in one of two ways. One, people will be people and do things that I cannot control, so do not waste energy on those people. Two, people are trying to be better, so allow them some grace but keep a distance because I do not need someone else’s problems to be mine. Either way, it was imperative for me to master this mindset change, because by worrying about these people, I was allowing them to physically kill me. The additional stress, lack of sleep, and all the other baggage that I carried were killing me because I willingly accepted other people’s problems as my own. Well, I discovered one day, that I will not openly or secretly bear other people’s problems and I am healthy today because of it. Not only did a mind shift happen with my driving habits, or the people I encounter, but also financially.
I have decided to view money differently. Money was never an obsession for me but I always wanted to be comfortable and not worry about it. This book that I am reading recommends obsessing over it and it will come, I believe that money is a means that is provided by the ultimate Provider, God the Father. I believe that financially I will be sound not from obsessing, but from doing what God calls me to do. Some people would sell their souls for money and wind up in hell later, I am not willing to go to hell for temporary gains. If heaven is the goal, then money needs to be viewed as a means to obtain the goods needed for survival. Thus, I have started looking into personal things I need to do to get better at saving money, such as buying items I do not need and investing that change where it can be multiplied.
My mindset shifted also when it comes to my relationship with God. I viewed the time I chose to spend with God as something that has to be done instead of being constant. Meaning, that instead of talking to God consistently throughout the day, I set a time in which I would come to Him. I am sure He appreciated the time, but I found that if I did not keep Him consistently in and on my mind, then I was more likely to slip. I have learned to speak to Him at all times, sometimes aloud and other times silently. Although I am not completely where I want to be in our relationship, it is getting better. While I have not mastered the complete shifting of how my mind thinks, I am on my way to a better, brighter future because of the steps already taken. This too will be another chain that will begin to slide from around my waist making me that much freer.
Disencumbering my Chains 