The Soul, Part 1 — The Mental Aspect

Do you realize the important role our mind plays in reaching wholeness? One need not choose between either the intellectual pursuit or the physical pursuit. To every individual in touch with their consciousness, therein lies a complimentary path to both a sound mind and a sound body.

Week 1–"Make Up Your Mind"

Socrates was not only a great thinker, but a physically powerful and robust man as well. He recognized the holistic approach to life.

"Life long devotion to the physical experience, to the exclusion of anything else, produces a certain type of man...just as neglect of it produces another type... One tends to be tough and uncivilized, the other soft and over-sensitive."

Neither produces a maximized, balanced life! The excellence of mind and body should compliment each other. As we become more physically fit, our level of consciousness is elevated. We are more alert, clear thinking, and calm. The higher the level we reach, the further we can see. We are able to have vision for our life. Vision that is produced from the eyesight of our mind is able to see much further than natural sight. That vision is so important to us, that without it we can lose hope and even perish! Become the best that you can be.

If the vision you see for your life can be fathomed by your mortal mind, then the best is yet to come! God's vision goes beyond the horizon of our grandest dreams.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God. Romans 12:2

Week 2–"You Are What You Think"

A sure sign of being able to speak fluently in another language is being able to think in that foreign tongue as well. Thinking is the seed of speaking. On the other hand, our speech can seed our thoughts. What you say, in time, you will believe, and what you believe you will become.

The mind-mouth connection is powerful. The tongue, like a rudder, can send us into smooth sailing waters or steer us right off course.

Long distance runners can feel fatigue setting in while racing more so when left to their own thoughts. But, when a few spectators are lined up along the road yelling, "You can make it!" all of a sudden the exhausted body is transformed into a fighting machine. The mind can motivate the body to do great exploits.

In her book, "The Power of Positive Prophecy", Laurie Beth Jones shares about her new home.

"My heart expected to live in a place like this one day, and that expectation helped create the ultimate reality of the event." What you say about yourself becomes believable, and gives your life direction."

Negative or positive, its influence works both ways.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God. Romans 12:2

Week 3–"It's Mind Un-boggling"

When a person experiences a heart attack, the heart can begin to misfire its electrical impulses. What is called cardiac arrest (the heart has stopped) is in reality many unsynchronized beats. The heart, which is quivering with impulses, pumps inefficiently and is rendered, in effect, useless. The heart's only hope of once again pumping efficiently is to be defibrillated – or shocked – back to its natural rhythm.

Similarly, our thoughts can bog us down too. We can experience a brain attack! When we allow so many thoughts to just float around and overwhelm us, nothing comes to fruition. Activity is the defibrillator of the mind, clearing it of all the clutter. Locomotor movement is connected to thought. For running expert, Dr. Sheehan, jogging frees the mind.

When a body is physically trained, it begins to adapt to the daily regimen. In time, the increased fitness of the individual allows the body to kick into its natural rhythm. When this happens, our bodies, much like our hearts, are able to perform while we go about our daily business. While participating in activity, the day's course can be plotted and problems pondered.

The outcome may not be the solution, but it always seems to clear the mind and lift the burdens.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you can prove what is that good, perfect, and acceptable will of God. Romans 12:2

Week 4–"Accentuate the Positive"

What is a setback? Do you see it as a failure or a chance to regroup. The high jumper will take two steps back in order to clear the higher height. I'm sure the artist sculpting Mt. Rushmore had to come down and continually reevaluate his work from a different perspective. It's all how you look at it.

What is your mental potential?

Do you take stock of your life and exclaim, "My cup runneth over!" or lament "Alas, my cup is too small to hold it all." Do the lemons in your life leave you bitter and looking sour, or joyfully singing as you stir a little more sugar into the mix of that proverbial drink.

Success is the product of a positive state of mind!

The famous psychiatrist, Dr. Karl Meininger finds that attitudes are more important than facts. What we see and feel can influence our everyday lives, but the positive thinking person will be a happier person.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Prov 23:7

Norman Vincent Peale, the author of "The Power of Positive Thinking", has thousands of success stories from people following this model. He suggests memorizing the faith concepts of the New Testament and letting them drop into your conscious mind. "This process will change you into a believer, into an expecter, andƒ in due course become an achiever."

It works because God is the Premier of Positive Thinking!
With Him, all things are possible!

His grass is so green, you don't even see the fence.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you can prove what is that good, perfect, and acceptable will of God. Romans 12:2