This is a serious question; think about it: we wash the dirt, sweat and smell off our bodies every morning. But does anyone actually shower (clean up) their mind every morning? When you think about it, that’s by far the most important of the two!
By not addressing the issues that accumulate, it’s a kind of mind “dirt” and detritus. Wouldn’t it be smart to go to a little trouble each day, review the issues and put them straight as much as possible?
You can even combine the two and start your thought process in the shower, to save a little time. Ask yourself these kind of questions:
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- What have I done that was not good?
- What do I need to do to put things right?
- What have I done that I should celebrate?
- How have I allowed my emotions to run out of control?
- What can I do to improve my life and behaviors?
The life some people lead, you might think this would take HOURS! And so it would. But I’m talking about a quick mind shower, not an hour-long tub soak!
It’s a sweet habit to get into. Don’t make it onerous or burdensome, otherwise you won’t keep it up. Just unburden your thoughts. You do this to yourself and for yourself. Your day will smell fresher, sweeter.
But of course there may be things to do. You might need to apologize, tell people you were wrong, redo something in which you messed up, fix it with someone you hurt… whatever it takes to clean up your path through life.
And don’t forget the people who know the people you know can hurt! They may get caught up in the negative energy wave too.
This is all about starting your day on the right footing. If you start well, you can keep going. If you start badly it can be difficult or impossible to make things right. Hence the analogy with a shower in the morning.
No Build Up
The important point passed on to me by the person who introduced me to the mind shower model (my lovely son Magnus) is to keep the “cleansing” process going. Don’t allow ill-will, resentments, bad temper and negative thoughts to go unresolved. Upset and hurt will build up; it’s self-reflexing. It will muddy your life and that of those around you.
Just clean up, swill off the mess and then let it go. Lots of people teach the “let it go” method. But it is important to mental health and hygiene!
Thing is, you don’t need to do it all at once, just get into the habit of a clean rinse! Improvement, not perfection…
Just For Today
You may be familiar with the essay entitled Just For Today. It’s used a lot as a meditation by those struggling with addictions, such as Alcoholics Anonymous members. But it long predates the formation of AA (1935).
1. Just for Today, I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life-problem at once. I can do some things for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt I had to keep them up for a lifetime.
2. Just for Today, I will be Happy. This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that “most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Happiness is from Within; it is not a matter of Externals.
3. Just for Today, I will Adjust myself to what Is, and not try to Adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come, and fit myself to them.
4. Just for Today, I will take care of my Body. I will exercise it, care for it, and nourish it, and not abuse it nor neglect it; so that it will be a perfect machine for my will.
5. Just for Today, I will try to strengthen my mind, I will study. I will learn something useful, I will not be a mental loafer all day. I will read something that requires effort, though and concentration.
6. Just for Today, I will exercise my Soul in three ways, to wit:
a.) I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. If anybody knows of it, it will not count.
b.) I will do at least two things I don’t want to do, as William James suggests, just for exercise.
c.) I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt. They may be hurt, but Today I will not show it.
7. Just for Today, I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with flattery, criticize not one bit, nor find fault with anything, and not try to regulate nor improve anybody.
8. Just for Today, I will have a Program. I will write down just what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I’ll have it. It will save me from the two pests Hurry and Indecision.
9. Just for Today, I will have a quiet half hour, all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, some time, I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective to my life.
10. Just for Today, I will be Unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to be Happy, to enjoy what is Beautiful, to love and to believe that those I love also love me.
Dr. Frank Crane (1861–1928) a Presbyterian minister, speaker, and columnist, supposedly wrote it, in 1921. It forms part of his massive 7-volume work Four Minute Essays, most of which is now lost. But there is an earlier, different work that was also called “Just for Today”, published by 1880 and is attributed to Sybil F. Partridge and this may have led to confusion.
Beatles star George Harrison referred to Crane’s meditation in a 1987 song from the album “Cloud Nine” entitled “Just For Today”, which begins with these lyrics:
Just for today
I could try to live through this day only
Not deal with all life’s problems
Just for today
So now let’s be content to live in our allotted time span–which is not “three score years and ten”, but from NOW until bedtime!
I am reminded of a few lovely words from Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 – 1894), which I quoted in my own book HEALING YOUR LIFE and used again for part of my “Scriptures In The Making”
Robert Louis Stevenson, author Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
“Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall,” wrote Robert Louis Stevenson. “Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all that life really means”.
If you want to join us at Scriptures In The Making (not at all religious, just spiritual) go here ScripturesInTheMaking.com.
Meantime, do good, think good and BE good!
To your good health,
Prof. Keith Scott-Mumby
The Official Alternative Doctor
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