Bee Calm
- heartsinger1
- Jul 9, 2020
- 2 min read
"All that buzzing in your mind is like bees in a beehive.
If you excite your thoughts, they will grow angry and sting you!"
Fenelon
Mindfulness is a buzzword in psychology today. There are blogs, apps, celebrity endorsements and a myriad of products to buy.
What is mindfulness? According to Dictionary.com it is:
noun
the state or quality of being mindful or aware of something. Psychology.
a technique in which one focuses one's full attention only on the present, experiencing thoughts, feelings, and sensations but not judging them: The practice of mindfulness can reduce stress and physical pain.
the mental state maintained by the use of this technique.
When one is overwhelmed, being aware of your thoughts, and the power they yield, is the first step in taking back control of your life.
A Blog post by Ron Breazeale, Ph.D, from 2012 shows the power of thoughts on our bodies:
"...the mind is capable of immense effects on the body. The literature has demonstrated again and again that thoughts affect neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that allow the brain to communicate with different parts of itself and the nervous system. Neurotransmitters control virtually all of the body’s functions, from feeling happy to modulating hormones to dealing with stress. Therefore, our thoughts influence our bodies directly because the body interprets the messages coming from the brain to prepare us for whatever is expected."
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes:
"We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One."
This is a step farther than mere mindfulness. This is a willful, precise, intentional attitude toward wayward thoughts. Paul encourages his readers to not just experience their 'thoughts, feelings, and sensations' in a judgement free zone, he incites an act of war against wrong thoughts.
What are the most effective weapons in the war in our mind?
According to Rekha Shrivastava, M.S., CH, CRC, CASAC
"In contrast to negative thoughts, there are positive thoughts which can counter these negative side effects. In general the rule of thumb is to have at least 3 positive thoughts to counter the effects of one negative thought. Thoughts of gratitude, forgiveness, and emotional resilience can help us deal with our stressful thought patterns and create a sense of well being......When we show generosity, be grateful, and forgive, we generate positive emotions...there is a relationship between joy and gratitude. We are happier when we show gratitude and it also improves our spiritual well being. Similarly, forgiveness decreases feelings of hurt, anger and physical complaints..."
Once again I find that Paul had the answer a couple of thousand years earlier.
To the Philippians he writes:
"So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things."
Peace, this is the desired destination. Calmness, and dwelling on God's goodness, is the way there.
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