It’s been said that struggles in life build character but I’m slowly learning it actually reveals character.  Especially after watching these three trailer documentaries:  Undefeated, This is Not a Film, and The Island President.  It inspires us to believe in ourselves, hope against the odds and know that people do not define us.  You can preview these trailers on http://trailers.apple.com/

We’re capable of so much more than we ‘think’, especially under pressure, confinement or survival.  Yet this strength is not rooted in our hands or the weapons we use but rather rooted in our minds.  It is where will power and impossibilities are created.  Our mind is the springboard that motivates us, triggers solutions, stimulates creativity and instills hope.

Overtime, what you think about constantly will grow within you, whether they are positive or negative.  Those thoughts will create feelings of joy or unhappiness.  And eventually move us into action or inaction.  And so this cycle begins, from the outflow of thoughts come feelings, and from feelings come actions.  We slowly become what we think:  Optimistic or pessimistic, happy or depressed, grateful or ungrateful, loving or bitter and the list goes on.

But there’s hope because we can break this cycle anytime.  We have a choice in every thought, in every feeling and in every action.  We are responsible.  We can never really blame anyone for how we feel, for where we’re at, or what we do (or don’t do).  At any given moment you always have a choice and it all comes down to your attitude.  Will you stay angry or forgive?  Blame or take responsibility?  Complain or be the solution?  You must start with yourself.  Pointing your finger at others even if you’re ‘right’ or have the best intentions will not change them or the situation.  Starting with you will be the first step towards your happiness, sanity and future.  Remember whatever you’re not changing, you’re choosing.

Mind over matter application : :
We can’t control how others treat us but we have a choice in how we react to them.
We are not upset by what people say.  We are upset by what we make it mean.
The body manifests what the mind harbors. Think positive thoughts.
Your positive or negative choices will affect the other person.
Give people the benefit of the doubt.  Think the best of them.
Focus on people’s strength rather than their weaknesses.
Choose for your communication to be effective.
Others are as you think they are.
You are what you think you are.
Encourage rather than criticize.
Accept it or change it.
Let love lead you.
Always.

© 2012 Susie Lee

Recommended Reading : :
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

“When you give someone a book, you don’t give him just paper, ink, and glue.
You give him the possibility of a whole new life.”
–Christopher Morley