I found this written by another writer, content creator, storyteller on LinkedIn. I wrote a little entry before reposting his entry. I wrote a highly creative brain/mind is truly different than a non-creative brain/mind as is a pugilist's mindset is radically different than a non-pugilist one. You need to really love what you're doing whether it be spending hours alone in front of a computer or dancing around a ring trying not to get punched without getting anything in return. In spite of all of this, self-reflection is needed as it relates to having a good mind/body connection as well as figuring out what to hold onto and what to release. I wrote the above as it relates not so much to the article, well maybe a little bit indirectly, but because I too am a writer and understand his level of needing and wanting to write as much as how a writer will have these debates in his or her head about having a weak and strong mind. So as the end of this month is almost near where I live, here is my parting blog entry to you from another writer. He too watched the show Rome, and he too holds interest in Caesar and Marcus Aurelius. I admit due to my need for near grammatical perfection, I have made a few changes relating to one misspelled name and a few missing commas. Other than these minor changes, this belongs to Jason Gosseck. If you want to read the article on LinkedIn, click on his name.
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I sometimes have a weak mind.
The kicker is I am not afraid to say it. It would probably be more alarming if I didn't acknowledge it. Anyone who thinks otherwise tends to be on the spectrum of what I like to call crazy.
And that is my professional opinion.
When I say weak, I don't be feeble. And I sure as hell don't mean I have issues with impulse control. Let alone self-esteem issues, though trying to find that happy medium is difficult at times.
When I say I have a weak mind, I mean that I struggle like everyone else to find the sweet spot of joy and happiness. Acceptance of self, and all that other feel-good mantras we read about daily.
Just like you.
Sure, Marcus Aurelius had his meditations while attacking Germanic tribes throughout Europe, but he didn't have the internet and the wildfire of emotions that come from being plugged in 24/7.
It was easy for him to navigate his feelings as Caesar, but would he have been any better at controlling his impulses and reactions if he was scrounging about looking for a crumb of bread?
Who's to say? The extent of my scholarly interpretations of ancient Rome is from a few choice books and the mini-series Rome on HBO.
I am no resident expert here.
I am off point. I have to be more mindful of that. And this is what I am talking about.
Sometimes, I have a weak mind.
Case in point, just the other day I was reading something, and I internalized it so much, that it offset my entire afternoon.
Why, because my mind is like a sponge absorbing as much information as I can cram between my ears.
Then I am left trying to talk myself off the figurative ledge in hopes that I don't wipe a few slates clean and start over.
We talk about mental health a lot. Which is very good.
Every day, some new diagnosis of dysfunction finds its way on social media, and millions of people identify a moment in their lives as the crutch to why they behave the way they do.
I am all for mental health evaluation, but sometimes scrolling through a feed is just as damaging to the psyche as say actual mental abuse.
We armchair quarterback our symptoms and mad dash ourselves to the next available appointment to see a therapist.
"Daddy wasn't there. Mommy didn't care. My sister hid my underwear."
And when my mind is delicate, I start playing victim to my convoluted imagination trying to make sense of why I have a penchant for gorging myself with peanut butter and chocolate.
In that instance, it might very well be because I grew up poor and I have impulse control issues.
Again, in my expert opinion.
Too bad I can't bill myself because if I had the money to pay, I'd be rich.
Having a weak mind and recognizing it speaks volumes about a person. They understand and try to find the root cause of why they behave the way they do.
They wrote a book about that.
Emotional intelligence, I think. And I read it at some point.
People with high emotional intelligence tend to self-regulate their feelings. They are more aware of themselves and tend to be more empathetic than most.
When someone shows strong social skills and can effectively communicate their emotions, they are more tuned into the world around them.
Which does wonders if you are in a leadership role. Individuals who don't display these types of behaviors tend to be petty, cruel, and just downright drab to be around.
Self-awareness is a pillar of what Mediations is based on. Good ole Marcus was on to something when he decided to write that little ditty.
The importance of logic over emotions helps you stay on top of what you're feeling and why.
Regulating self is a sign that you understand more about your emotions and how they play a pivotal role in your day-to-day life.
Being aware as to why your feelings are a certain way is far more intelligent than your IQ.
So when I say I have a weak mind, I tend to view that as yet another superpower under my cape.
Not that I am any better than a few of you who chose to hide your identity with spandex.
What I am saying is, that if you exhibit signs of gratitude, a semblance of self-control, empathy, awareness, strong social skills, and even a little bit of self-deprecating humor, you might very well have a weak mind.
Then you are all the smarter for it. You are cognizant of who and what you are.
Because you realize that the battle for control is a constant, and to openly recognize and acknowledge it is some Aurelius and Einstein-level brain power.
Yeah, I am not ashamed to say that I have a weak mind. I am all the stronger for it.
And every day on the battlefield of my emotions, I am conscious of myself and the world around me.
Mental Health is an important issue that should be addressed. If you understand yourself, then you understand that you have to continue to self-analyze your feelings.
As for the chocolate and peanut butter, well hey, you can't win every battle, but you can still win the war.
Butterfinger, you might have one this round, but I am coming back stronger than ever before.
And for having a weak mind, well, my next available appointment with Dr. Jason isn't until next week. I guess I will have to manage.
Until then, well call me cat-shit crazy.
Because I have a weak mind that I monitor on the regular.
