Self-mastery for the greater good

When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad, and that's my religion.

~ Abraham Lincoln

 Since moving to a remote location five years ago, I have had the privilege of time to attempt to master my mindset.

More recently, I have also had the opportunity to relive the past through the eyes of a grandmother.

Children mirror back to us our strengths and weaknesses. They are great imitators. 

They quickly pick up our mannerisms, facial expressions, tone of voice, and self-limiting thoughts and beliefs. 

Through self-therapy, I now see more clearly the impact my husband and I have had on our adult children and the people we have surrounded ourselves with. 

With that in mind and my intent to become a better role model, at times, I find myself attempting to make amends with others.

I take the opportunity to apologize, only to recognize that what I perceived to be bad behaviour has long since been forgotten by the person or people involved. 

I share this as a reminder that energy flows where attention goes. 

Whether we perceive the past as the best time of our lives or live with regret, ruminating about the past can be draining and depressing.

Anecdotally and sadly, my husband and I have both had high school friends who believed high school was the best time of their lives commit suicide.

A purpose-driven mindset

[T]he two most important days of a man’s life are the day on which he was born and the day on which he discovers why he was born.

~ Ernest T. Campbell

Striving to have a mindset that sees the future as brighter than our past increases health span. 

A purpose-driven mindset, offering lots to look forward to and a belief that this is a great time to be alive, is health-promoting. 

An attitude of gratitude helps us get there. So, I count my blessings, not my sorrows. 

I live mindfully in the present and look forward to continuing to model good behaviour and share what I have had the privilege to learn.