Mental Health and Mindfulness
As we commemorate Mental Health Month this month, it's the perfect time to delve into the significance of understanding your mind. Let's start by clarifying the crucial distinction between the brain and the mind. While the brain is the physical organ most associated with mind and consciousness, the mind extends beyond the confines of the brain. It's a part of the intangible, transcendent realm of thought, feeling, attitude, belief, and imagination. Any change we aspire to, regardless of its magnitude, necessitates a shift in our minds. As En Vogue aptly said, ‘Free your mind, and the rest will follow.’ But how do we liberate our minds?
Becoming conscious of our thoughts or beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world is the first step to mindfully creating the life we deserve. Our thoughts greatly influence what we do and how we feel. For example, remaining in a relationship with an unfaithful partner might be the function of the thought, "All men cheat." This thought, often unconscious, might be used to justify staying in a relationship in which you are more susceptible to physical disease and mental, spiritual, and emotional dis-ease as well. The belief that all men cheat might cause you to feel stressed, anxious, and angry in a relationship with men. These feelings will influence what you do or your relationship behavior. Expecting to be hurt by men might cause you to search your partner’s phone or to experience anxiety if he comes home later than expected. Believing that "all men cheat" will also cause you to find evidence that what you think is true. The mind continually works to make itself right or affirm what it knows. You will see proof of cheating men in music, television, and in the lives of others. You are also likely to ignore evidence that there are faithful men (which there are!) or dismiss examples of monogamous relationships with comments like, "They just got married...just wait" or "She just hasn't found out yet." If you are ready to have a new experience, you must begin by changing your mind! Replace "All men cheat" with "I am ready to experience my loving and faithful partner." (It even feels better to think this way!) It all starts with you and what you are thinking.
Once you develop self-trust, navigating relationships becomes easier, regardless of your partner's actions. Making a commitment like: ‘I commit to relationships that honor me’ will instill the belief that you will establish and maintain relationships that align with your self-worth. Your new thoughts are the first step towards your desired loving and honorable relationship. Are you ready to change your mind?
Our thoughts influence every area of our lives. Many people do unfulfilling work because they believe, "You have to do what you have to do" to pay for the pills. They have been inundated with thoughts that "work is hard" and have created lives that affirm the initial thought. Do you do work you enjoy? Do you expect to enjoy work? What do you believe about family life? What are your thoughts about relationships? What do you think about yourself? What do you feel about yourself? Once you understand your thoughts, ask yourself: Is this thought true? Is this thought important? Is this thought helpful? Is this thought even mine (or did I learn this from a parent, music/television, or society)?
If you want to change your life, you must first change your mind. Allow B. Well to coach you as you learn to become aware of the thoughts that do not serve you and replace those thoughts with positive and self-affirming beliefs about yourself and others. Together, we will work to create a beautiful and loving life mindfully. You can live a life so beautiful it will blow your mind!
Mindfully yours,
Dr. Adrianne R. Pinkney
Integrative Wellness and Life Coach
