What are you thinking? This emblematic question reminds me of
the timeless principle of thought, which states that ‘as a man thinketh in his
heart, so is he’.
True! A man is literally what he thinks, and is character is
the complete sum of all his thoughts. The life you live today is as a result of
the thoughts you entertained yesterday. To live a different life tomorrow, you
have to change your thoughts today.
According to the classical author, James Allen, ‘a man’s mind
may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to
run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will bring forth.
If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds
will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind. Just as a gardener
cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing flowers and fruits
which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all
the wrong and impure thoughts, and cultivating towards perfection, the flowers
and fruits of right, useful and pure thoughts’.
As individuals and a nation, we must learn that we cannot
grow beyond the quality of our thought. Yet, i have observed that one reason we
are still where we are is that we desire to change the situation without
changing our thoughts.
I once read that the battle for control and leadership of the
world has always been waged most effectively at the idea (thought) level. An
idea, whether right or wrong, that captures the minds of a nation’s youth will
soon work its way into every area of the society, especially in our multi-media
age. Ideas (thoughts) determine consequences.
It is only when we make the right changes to our thinking do
other things begin to turn out right. Remember that your thought influences
your attitude; your attitude determines your altitude, and influences your
behaviour and character. To change your altitude, change your thoughts.
It is essential for us to note that everything begins with a
thought. Everything we see today began as a thought. What we think determine
what we do; what we do is a determinant of who we are. The truth is that we can
change the quality of life we live by changing the way we think.
Finally, I challenge you to take up the challenge of becoming
a skilled thinker, which will make you face a battery of hitherto unanswered
question and change your perspective to series of unquestioned answer. This
challenge of critical thinking provides the impetus for reformulating our view
of the world; through it, we can appreciate the intellectual work required to
change our thinking and our lives in fundamental ways. Through it, we can grasp
the need to regularly re-examine the extent of our ignorance. Through it, we
can grasp the need for regular exercise of disciplined thought, and through it,
we can understand the long-term nature of intellectual development, social
change, personal growth and transformation.
I look forward to reading from you.
Start thinking right, keep growing!
_________
Aanu Damola Morenikeji is considered Africa’s youngest
youth intellectual and leadership development advocate. A sought-after speaker
on the theme of leadership and personal growth, he is an alumnus of the M121
Social Leadership Academy, U.S.A and founder of Studership Youth Leadership
Academy – an initiative of All for Development Foundation [ADM-Foundation]. He
blogs at www.admnigeria.blogspot.com
and can be reached via damolamore@gmail.com.
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