Let us not allow our mind to take us where ever it wants, however, let us take
charge of the mind and be the master of the mind. For attaining success, we need
to master our mind. We are going ahead to install better habits in our life. Well,
here are some techniques to master our mind.
Affirmations
An affirmation is usually a sentence or phrase that we repeat regularly
to make a formal declaration to ourselves and the universe of our intention for it
to be the truth. We all have in our brains a thing called a Reticular Activating
System (RAS), which is like a filter that lets in information that we need, and filters
out information that we don’t. If we want the RAS to notice and register what
matters to us based on our goals, needs, interests, and desires, we need to say
the affirmation over and over again. When we do that, it gets busy noticing ways
to help us achieve our goals. Affirmations are positive statements that can help us
to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When we
repeat them often, and believe in them, we can start to make positive changes,
even though there would be certain inner struggles in the beginning.
Visualisation
The subconscious mind understands better, the images and feelings. Moreover
the subconscious mind tends to believe whatever it sees. Write any script we
want to achieve. Play that script out as a film in our imagination. Our
subconscious will watch it being played out and think it’s real. These mental
images can create very powerful emotions, which in turn activates us for actions.
Visualising a compelling future draws us towards the action needed to realize it.
Not all dreamers are achievers, but all achievers are dreamers.
Story
Hyma had her leg amputated after suffering a fortnight of agony. She
was crossing the road through the zebra cross, but reckless driving by a motorist
led to the mishap. The doctors tried their best to save her leg, however, they
could not.
An extrovert by nature she used to be around for all activities be it college, home
or neighbourhood. She volunteered for debates, competitions, organizing events
and had a helping hand for everyone around. She was more like a butterfly sans
fetters, moving in bicycle for her morning errand, forwarding herself swiftly to
college, smiling at all faces on the way, smelling the flowers on bloom, only to
reach college and remain assertive in the classroom by asking questions, clarifying
doubts and penning down notes, till the bell rang for respite. Well, the time of get
together followed the chiming of the bell, with jokes, narrations, teases and
games. Hyma was a friend of all and she liked to be a friend for all.
But a minute of carelessness by the motorist had brought her to a still. She was
home from hospital, trying to make some sense out of her lonely passing minutes.
The flowing time did not seem to carry anything for her and slowly she found
herself coming down the steep valley of sorrow from the peak of ecstasy. She lost
interest in her readings, music, jokes and phone calls. She was losing focus,
getting frustrated and felt tied to her bed. Even her parents found themselves
helpless and little could they do anything to rekindle the happiness in her mind.
The physical agony was more like spreading to her mind, pushing aside her
positive vibes.
It was then that her cousin Amal came home to visit Hyma. He quickly came to
terms with what Hyma was going through and knew she really wanted an
emotional lift. Amal was really good at sketching and his pictures go beyond
words. Amal started visiting her every day and every day he would bring a picture
of Hyma. The first picture was that of Hyma on bed, the second one that of Hyma
having food sitting on bed resting herself to the pillows on back. The picture was
wonderful and it prompted Hyma to have the posture, while taking food. The next
day had picture of Hyma on clutches, which prompted her to use the clutches.
The next day she found herself in the picture in the garden and she walked into
the garden with her clutches. After being in the garden for a while, her cousin
Amal asked, “Where do like to go tomorrow?” “To the beach, and that too in a
wheel chair”, she replied to Amal. Amal quickly pictured a happy Hyma on wheel
chair at the beach. She looked at the picture over and over and every time she
looked at her smiling face on the picture, she seemed to grow happier. She
visualised herself at the beach several times and felt the joy in her heart. Finally
when Amal took her to the beach, the very next day, she said she had been there
since yesterday. Thereafter, Hyma spilled out her wishes one by one and Amal
would come out with wonderful drawings for her. She enacted and realised
whatever she wished and whatever was drawn.
Today, Hyma on her artificial limb is all set to climb a peak, with journalists
around to take photographs and report the event. One of the journalist’s saw a
paper rolled up in Hyma’s bag. To his enquiry, Hyma opened up the paper to show
him the grand picture of her on top of the cliff.
Activity
Write down an affirmation statement
1.______________________________________________
Visualize an event; the occurrence of the same in future that will make you happy
1.______________________________________________
Quote
“Create a vision of who you want to be and then live into that picture as if it were
already true.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger
Take Away
1. Frame affirmations and strengthen your belief.
2. Get into habit of visualising success so that we are energised to achieve it.