Today’s MondayMotivator: Your most prized possession. And no, it’s not a material object.

Posted by Spike MondayMotivator

elena mozhvilo 9 KdCzwYrMo unsplash 1024x681 - Today's MondayMotivator: Your most prized possession. And no, it’s not a material object.

Good morning.

What is your most prized possession?

What is the ‘thing’ you should protect at all costs and not allow it to become undisciplined or filled with the detritus of news and useless events?

Your mind.

Epictetus wrote, “If a person gave away your body to some passerby, you’d be furious. Yet you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along, so they may abuse you, leaving it disturbed and troubled – have you no shame in that?”

I find myself heading down rabbit holes when I’ve been distracted by what is slightly aligned with what I was looking for. Reading about this or watching that for minutes until I catch myself.

And as the great Talking Heads song goes, “And you may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?’”

How indeed?

Why does my mind think its ok to just have a quick look at something else or pick up my phone? Picking up a book instead is working to stop that habit but that leads me to why do we have to always replace one habit with another?

It’s almost like we get to an age where we have a number of habits that allow us to navigate our lives and the world. These habits either help us or hinder us. If we have one that hinders us we have to replace it with one that will help us. But there appears to be a limited number of habits. You can’t add or subtract a new habit. It’s very odd.

And to me, it is shameful that I allow simple algorithms to take advantage of my ill-discipline and that I can be distracted enough to know that Meghan and Harry have done an interview with Oprah.

If you are to lead the life you want whilst pitted against yourself and ‘big tech’ you have to admit that it is even more important to protect your mind than ever. The battle for that space is totally within your control.

You must know that I struggle with distraction every day and I’m training myself to consciously see when I’ve given my mind away. You can do the same by noticing your thoughts and checking off the habits you have every day. Are they working for you? Change the ones that aren’t.

The world needs more people who guard and grow their most prized possession. In my opinion, it’s vital to be mindful instead of mindless.

Have a great week.

Glenn from Spike

 

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash


Quote for the week

“If a person gave away your body to some passerby, you’d be furious. Yet you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along, so they may abuse you, leaving it disturbed and troubled – have you no shame in that?”

— Epictetus