The concept of mind over matter focuses on perception and how one’s perception can change a physical world. There is a wide range of ideas and interpretations regarding the full scope of meaning in this phrase. For our current purposes, we will connect with “the use of will power to overcome physical conditions or problems.” For example, acting on this power by attending an engagement when actually we may feel too tired to go anywhere, and yet it results in being a great experience. How do you practice mind over matter?
Developing Mind Over Matter
Learning to develop the use of basic mind over matter understanding and applying it to our lives may well result in a more positive lifestyle, a more hopeful outlook on life, and lead to a lifestyle of accomplishments, contributions to society, and self-fulfillment. Read more about hope here.
Albert Einstein is attributed to having said, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant.” It then behooves us to get to know the person that lives within our body, and to develop this seemingly passive skill of “I think I can,” much like the children’s book with the story of the Little Red Caboose who chugged along with the cadence of “I think I can, I think I can”, successfully making it to the top of the mountain – an indomitable task.
How many times have you been frozen at some point in a presentation or performance until a mentor caught your eye, gave you a nod, initiating a return of confidence. Suddenly, you were able to compete at peak performance, using the passive skill stored for this purpose. How do you practice mind over matter?
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is a challenging curriculum designed to teach students the skills needed to collect data, analyze that data, and search for facts. Wise decisions, based on this type of evidence, can then be made through the practice of reflective thinking. The awareness gleaned from one’s own knowledge, assumptions, and past experience, emerges to build character and ignite novel ideas, buried dreams, and priceless endowed gifts.
My Story
In my first year of college, I was enrolled in an upper-level Sociology class as an elective, only because of the timing of my work schedule and this course being the only one open to fill that slot. The second week of class I was appalled to discover that this particular class, at that particular time, with this particular new edition of the required book, had ventured into categorizing Americans’ chances of excelling being directly related to family income.
The point being espoused was that very few students step up to another ladder of income, but rather stay at the job level of the family where they are taught, whether directly or subliminally, that this is where they belong based on parents’ income, education, ethnic background, etc. Having been a child who was raised in a family of great encouragers filled with love, where my dreams were not understood yet encouraged,
I now saw myself being classified in the low-income bracket, with the general consensus being that over-expectation would be detrimental to me as a person. Without openly branding myself as being in that income threshold, something within me rose to the highest platform and screamed, “Don’t stigmatize students such as I – move out of the way – this concept is so wrong.”
How do you practice mind over matter?
Set Your Mind on Things Above
That same perception became a constant companion throughout life. Every problem became a challenge, every social failing became a project, every personal valley became a search for the mountain top. From the “picture lying on the beach to endure a pain” mind over matter technique, a useful practice, to the reality of finding a saving faith in an Almighty and Eternal God. And to know through faith in Jesus Christ that the more treacherous problems of temptation and the pain of being misunderstood and slandered were already defeated by my Lord. I only had to claim that victory and move forward.
Life became one of goals and challenges, of helping others step forward, recognizing that some inner dreams and goals are low key and thoughtful, yet are still worthy of our helping someone bring them to fruition. For the good of us all.
Not A Loser
How do we prevent ourselves from growing into adults that are swayed by every foul wind into thinking that we are losers? Or from harboring ideas that are as vapid as cotton candy? Or to subscribe to being branded a loser, to being defeated before our feet even hit the ground? As we search for deeper meaning, we can assert that indeed we are not a loser.
Our minds, our inner souls, even our flaccid bodies, can be so duped by a lifetime of negativity, doubt, of being continually put down, disregarded, to the point of our thinking we don’t really matter. Even to the point where we believe our thoughts are not important, that there is no joy, no victory, for me in this world.
Wake Up!
Wake up! There is beauty to be uncovered, there are bridges to be built, dreams to be fulfilled, songs to be written, symphonies to be composed, and diseases to be obliterated. There is love to be spread to others. There are children to be taught. There are the aged to be revered and their wisdom downloaded for further use. There is a world to enjoy and a populus with whom to share your joy. There is music. Therefore, dance to the rhythm. There are children, so play with glee. There is God, welcoming and forgiving, so accept his mercy and grace.
You are Very Alive! Live!
We were made to work, to conceive and bear children, to feed the hungry, heal the sick, to give honor and glory and praise to the Holy God, Jesus the Savior, the Holy Spirit, who indwells and strengthens the Believer. How do you practice mind over matter?
Mind Over Matter?
Mind over matter? Belief over unbelief? Joy over sorrow? Victory over death? Spirit filled lives of those who believe that Jesus died for our sins have the power of God dwelling within them.
Jesus in you, Jesus in me, indwelling and enabling us to live forgiven, productive, joyful, and encouraging lives.
May this clarity of a Spirit filled life enable us to take the high road, to forgive those who hurt us badly, to help others even when we are weary, and to share the Good News that Jesus the Christ, is the answer for each of us, regardless of our income, our intelligence quotient, the pain we have or haven’t endured.
Jesus is the answer. He will lead us on this High Road to live our life here on earth to the full, as He has promised: “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. We do not have to endure the wrath of God because He has provided a Savior.
Watch the video Great News on this page for clarity in understanding grace, love, and faith.
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