Hi, All!

One aspect of health that is rarely discussed is the locus of control in our lives. We were designed with free will, that is, the ability to choose beneficial, life enhancing thoughts, foods, activities, associates, etc. or destructive, death-dealing ones. It is this internal, spiritual, psychological dimension that determines outcome.

Facing the same challenges, one will adopt a victim mentality, wondering "why did [someone or something] do this to me?" Another will adopt a survivor/overcomer mentality, and ask "what can I do to live well and joyfully in these circumstances within which I find myself?"

The victim will blame, feel angry, afraid, helpess, depressed. They will be needy and self-centered. Both the problem and its solution seem to them to be entirely out of their own control, somewhere "out there". Challenges appear to be insurmountable barriers. Life seems dreary, unbearable. If persisted in, victim menatality results first in isolation, because one is so unpleasant to be with, then death. Maybe this is why the Bible talks often of the wicked being "cut off???"

The survivor/overcomer will continuously gather and recheck information, consider their options, take action, and take personal responsibility for the outcome of their actions. They will see the same challenges as the person with a victim mentality, but react to them in a very different way. Life is an exciting adventure. They will feel, joy, hope, gratitude. They will heal by helping others to heal as well.

To persist in this course, they will need to keep their spiritual health their first concern. Ever since Adam and Eve blew it in the garden of Eden, we humans have had a tendency to take the victim/blaming course. Managing our lives is sort of like driving a car with a bad front end alignment. If we are wise, we'll keep our hands firmly on the steering wheel of our thoughts and feelings. We'll consistently steer them in the diretion that gives joy and life to ourselves and others.

This is NOT easy...but consider the alternative!

It is NOT FUN to hear that we have had a large part of creating our own problems!

But isn't it GOOD NEWS that there is something within the power of each of us to begin to remedy things?

What will we do today, right now?