These elements of the human mind and heart weigh deeply in every decision we make. It is said, that our soul is to our working mind as the use of the brain is to the body.
There is a tendency to allow these elements of the human mind to dictate to us who we are, what we should do, when we are capable of doing it, and how we should feel about others. The issue remains that feelings are not static. They change with our thoughts, experiences, and many times they will change without any logical reason what so ever.
My pastor spoke about Psalm 42 and 43 (NIV) regarding the repetition of the psalmist speaking to his soul saying
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God"
The Psalmist makes an attempt to encourage his inner being by outright talking to himself. We can feel depressed, sad, and angry one moment then joyful, excited, and motivated the next but talking to those elements within can be a bold task.
Our feelings, thoughts, and moods frequently effect others around us. If we can change our thoughts sometimes we can change our perspective about how we feel. Much has to be said about embracing these parts of us while courageously making decisions that contradict them, especially when the elements with in seem to be against us as they are when we feel depressed.
Feelings are a side effect of our thoughts. Our thoughts come from deeper origin.
Some have said that the focus on the most inward parts, like our spirituality and subconscious, can spiral our lives into an effortless stream line of living based on the pieces fed. The positive "good" or the negative "bad" sides of our being grow bigger as it is feeds and soaks up attention.
Others say that we are to accept both good and bad sides because all feelings are to be respected. Fear is considered a result of us suppressing the negative feelings, impulses, and thoughts that emerge. Joy is considered a result of liberating feelings to flow freely thought the mind and body.
The pressure of the world in general attempt to conform us to the image it wants us to be. Just like the potter puts pressure on the clay to mold the pot into the image of his mind, so the world does to us. Marketing, branding, and icons are established to resonate intense emotional impact so that they will connect with the public. Simple things can influence us and we are bombarded daily to multiple attempts of marketing to influence our actions.
When we recognize that even simple change in colors can affect our mood, then we can take some power back by addressing this tendency within us, not beating ourselves down because of this tendency but harnessing its power to gain a clear perspective.
With our own clear perspective we can be confident in our interactions with other people and consider their feelings as we have journeyed to consider our own.
Picture: EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO