NEW CASTLE —
“If you’ve got stinkin’ thinkin’, you better get a checkup from the neck up.” — Zig Ziglar
The battle for the heart is won in the mind.
So is the battle for the Super Bowl, and the White House and any other lofty goal set before us.
Do you believe that?
It’s true.
From war to athletics, food to faith, you are what you think.
And there’s a pattern to our thought life. It goes something like this: Your thoughts become your actions, then they become your habits, then they become your character, then they become your life.
That said, be careful what you feed your mind today.
Ultimately, it can and will affect what you feed your body, too.
“Change of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts. When a man makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure food,” writes James Allen in the classic book, “As a Man Thinketh.”
“If you would perfect your body, guard your mind. If you would renew your body, beautify your mind. Thoughts of malice, envy, disappointment, despondency, rob the body of its health and grace. A sour face does not come by chance; it is made by sour thoughts. Wrinkles that mar are drawn by folly, passion, pride.”
“We can all train our brains to be as strong as our bodies. It sounds simple, but it's so easy to forget. If we let our head drop, our heart drops with it. Keep your head up, and your body is capable of amazing feats.” — Chrissie Wellington, a four-time World Ironman champion.
Think about it. How many thoughts run through your mind each day?
Maybe some of these crept into your head just this morning ...
•Man, I am SOOOOO tired.
•Just one donut won’t hurt me.
•OK, just two donuts.
•These shorts make me look fat.
•I can’t get up in front of THOSE people and make a presentation.
•Nobody likes me. I have no friends.
•I’ll never get 10 reps of 225.
•I hate the people I work with.
•Same crap, different day.
•My coach won’t even consider me. I know she’s got the team picked already.
•I hate these glasses. Everyone thinks I look like a geek.
•I’ll never be able to make the team.
•I work just as hard as that guy. Why don’t I make that salary?
•It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know.
•I’m just not very good with numbers.
•Story of my life. If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have ANY luck.
Sound like anyone you know?
By changing a few thoughts, you could be looking at an entirely different person in the mirror.
Today.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” — Philippians 4:8
Remember our pattern from a bit earlier? Your thoughts become your actions, then they become your habits, then they become your character, then they become your LIFE.
So, what do you really want your life to look like?
Will you remain a victim? Or will you emerge victorious?
Try an experiment. In the next hour, whenever a negative thought pops into your mind, DON’T LISTEN.
Instead, TALK TO YOURSELF.
I know, I know. The guy in the next cubicle is going to think you’re crazy. But so what? We’re renewing our minds and we really don’t care what other people think, right?
It’s a simple two-step process. But it’s not easy. It will take practice — lots and lots of practice.
But just the act of practicing is sure to change your life because your focus will be much different than it is now.
Here goes ...
•Step 1 — Cast a vision. What are you hoping to become?
Remember, you become what you behold. If you sit around and watch MTV all day, don’t be surprised if you become Snooky or, for that matter, one of the guys from “Jackass.”
On the other hand, if you follow the example of successful people who have gone before you, that’s the direction you’ll go, too.
•Step 2 — Step up and stand out. When your workmates are ripping on the boss or a co-worker, refuse to join in. If your friends are ridiculing a classmate, end it quickly by saying something or just walking away.
Instead of adding negative energy, think of what you can do to improve your situation in a positive way.
I know there are plenty of toxic environments out there, but even toilets can be cleaned with the right amount of thought and effort.
Renew.
Refresh.
Reinvent.
So, are you ready to change your life today without spending a penny on the latest fads?
I thought so.
And if you aren’t, at least think about it.
Tim Kolodziej
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About Tim Kolodziej: Tim is director of new media at The News. His blog appears each Thursday.
Discussion
Tim Kolodziej: We really need to think more about our thought life
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“You have a nice team, Coach.” I used to HATE hearing that while shaking our opponents’ hands following a game.
You may as well question my manhood. Or insult my mama. Or try to take my lunch money. Them’s fightin’ words, you know.
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Man, do I miss running. All the miles. All the smiles. Even the personal time trials. There’s nothing like lacing up the kicks, cranking up the music and losing yourself, stride by glorious stride, for the next hour or so.
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I don’t normally ask this of you, but I have a favor. Please watch the video I've attached before you read my blog today. Mere words can’t begin to describe what you’ll see, so it’s better to sit back and allow the visuals to invade your senses.
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Tim Kolodziej: As Easter nears, I must ask: why me?
Why me, Lord?Why? What did you expect me to do? Who, exactly, did you expect me to be? How, exactly, did you expect me to act? How did you expect me to have the strength to deal with THAT?
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“Just livin’ the dream.” I’ve probably heard that phrase dozens of times this year — and it’s always used in a derogatory sense.
In essence, people are really saying, “I’m stuck and I don’t know how to get out.” OK, maybe. - More Tim Kolodziej Headlines
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