thehealseekers.com

About a week ago, we had a public holiday on a Friday. This meant it would be a three-day long weekend; I was excited. Three days felt like a vast ocean of possibilities.

I meticulously planned my creative pursuits: publishing a new blog and uploading a new YouTube video. But as the weekend unfolded, something insidious happened.

Friday came and went by like a season. The whole of Saturday I was in a trance. By the time I was able to snap myself out of it, it was already Sunday. And to be more precise, about 4:00 p.m.; so, it was basically Monday.

I tried to take an inventory of what I’d done in the three days by journaling. All I could come up with was: I turned on the TV, but didn’t watch much. Instead, I let it play while I went in and out of a social media rabbit hole. I was disgusted with myself.

As I sat on my couch, in the depths of my frustration, a question popped into my head: “Cynthia, do you even really want this?”

It seemed to come from an imaginary mentor that had somehow materialized right before me, in my living room. Pacing about. Only stopping to cast disappointed glances my way, his exasperation palpable.

That’s when the realization hit me like a thunderbolt: “The imaginary mentor is right. Do I really even want this, or am I just playing the game of desire?”

Playing the game of desire is something I made up to describe the act of pretending to want things, but not letting your desire for them outweigh your comfort. Deceiving yourself into thinking you’re committed when, in reality, you’re held back by complacency.

In hindsight, that whole weekend I’d surrendered my consciousness to the whims of melancholy and negative thinking. Allowing them to consume my focus and sabotage my progress.

Despite my efforts to redirect my focus, I couldn’t. It was as though I was caught in a tug-of-war between my goals and the relentless grip of melancholy. My consciousness was the rope and melancholy triumphed each time.

I felt I had no will to get myself out of the depressive mood I was in. Maybe my will was just not strong enough, or so I thought. But then, I remembered the words of William W. Atkinson, from his book: Thought Vibration:

The will is strong enough, it doesn’t need strengthening. But, the mind needs to be trained to receive and act upon the suggestions of the will.

And it suddenly dawned on me: my mind was weakened. It had succumbed to the lower mental faculties of worry, fear, doubt, and negativity. Consequently, my willpower lost its influence, unable to guide me toward what I had set out to do.

There’s no doubt that we all have those moments when negative thinking ascends the throne of our minds. Dismissing our resolve and leaving us adrift in unproductivity. When we can’t seem to find the switch that turns on the will current.

Having experienced this dethroning an embarrassing number of times, I’ve come to realize that reclaiming sovereignty demands an unwavering assertion of will. Boldly command fear to leave your presence, bid doubt to flee from your sight, and send comparison packing.

It can be hard to assert your willpower when you have a propensity to negative thinking, trust me I know. But, always remember that you have the will to assert mastery over any emotional state.

So, it’s time to restore order in your mental kingdom. Rise up. Ascend to your rightful place upon the throne of your mind. Reclaim control from those pesky lower mental faculties that have dethroned you time and time again.

 “All things are good when we learn to master them, no thing is good when it masters you.” – William W. Atkinson

Actionable takeaway:

This week, I want you to reconnect with your deepest goals and desires. Write them down and also the obstacles that have hindered your progress.

Examples include; fear, doubt, worry, procrastination, and the formidable foe of comparison.

Now, close your eyes and visualize yourself seated upon your mental throne.

Feel the strength of your willpower emanating from within you as you reclaim control from those lower mental faculties. See yourself surrounded by the radiant company of courage, love, and self-control.

Every time you carry out this little exercise, witness the transformation that unfolds within you.

New thoughts of power will emerge, emboldening you to take decisive action. And what once seemed insurmountable will become attainable.

Gradually, your focus will realign with your goals, and the ‘game of desire’ will fade into oblivion.