Be Kind To Your Mind Because Losing It Hurts

Day 4

Losing your mind is not something to joke about. If you look around where you live, then probably you can find some example in another human with this problem. They have “lost their minds.”

Do we ever really lose that part of ourselves? Man, I think we do. Well, I think I do and have. My life has been like a zig-zag of emotions and feelings that keep me on the run. If Paul McCartney ever thought about rewriting “Band On The Run,” then I’d suggest he write “Man On The Run.” Oh, come on, now. Men and women run from things all the time.

For instance, I’ve run away from people and places so many times that the list would be infinite. That is not good and not healthy. Nor does it foster goodwill and acceptance from other people. If I am always running, then when do I take time to be kind to my mind? 

Chile, please. 

One of the things that has impressed me about reading and even doing trauma recovery work is the fact that our brains store sensations and images. Imagine having a caregiver call you, as a young boy, to take a shower and no other adults are around. Imagine this going in a very bad way. Does that memory get totally erased? No. 

You have heard enough about the mind-body connection. People dismiss it because this does not fit their narrative of having a healthy mind. So let me lay some quarter notes on your heart. The mind-body connection needs to be strong all the time. Not just when things are going smoothly. Nope. It needs to always be healthy because there are going to be moments when you start heading down a hill and have no breaks to help.

Reminder: It’s Time To Be Kind To Your Mind

Notice the first five words in this article’s title are “be kind to your mind.” Seriously, are you giving that mind of yours plenty of tender, loving care? That may be too much of an assignment for you to handle. I understand. Yet when are you going to be kind to yourself and to your mind? When? Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not next year. 

Right now. Man, I’m telling you. I am begging you to be kind to your mind. Hell, I’m telling myself over and over again about this same thing.

What are the last four words to the title? “Because losing it hurts.” Imagine having parents or family members who go AWOL between their ears. I’ve seen that craziness happen and, yeah, it looks like a black cloud coming down all over me.

You think that all is well, go on about your life, then “WHAM!” that bus comes by and waylays you in a quick second. It can happen that fast. I’ve seen that manifest in my own life. That totally sucks. Toss in that those who are close to the situation and are crazy think they are the SANE ones. WTF. I’d toss in a LOL but that will not fly right now.

The human mind has a lot of capacity within it to stuff pain. I have done it and you have, too. We would rather fulfill other people’s dreams and desires instead of ours. Why? Because some of us have been trained to face life this way. There’s a wicked twist in the saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It means, on the one hand, to treat people like you want to be treated. In a wicked way, it can mean do to others so they cannot harm you.

That does not make a damn bit of sense. Who would interpret that saying in that way? Someone who has “lost their mind.”

Spend Time On Recovering Your Own Mind Day By Day

Is there a way to recover and heal those areas in our brains that need help? Yes. Just go and look at a number of health store supplements. Some of them can be used to provide some brain food and keep you chugging along. Even if you search on the Internet, then you’ll be able to find specially-made vitamins and supplements. Also, look up “natural foods for the brain” and a solid list of nutrients will be at your fingertips.

Exercise and breathing are good for the mind. Runners who go out for long distances will have that euphoric feeling in their minds and bodies. This is because the endorphins are being worked hard and help provide natural relief to your physical state. There are many other examples, too, when it comes to healthy exercise and its effect on the brain. Breathing has, for millions of years, been standard practice within helping the mind-body connection. Taking deep breaths and truly noticing the in-breath and the out-breath and how it is nurturing your body is a building block to fantastic meditation practice.

It is OK to ask if all of this is important. Hell yeah, it is.

Imagine being a sponge and just taking in all the information in the world. You just suck it all inside and keep doing this over and over again. There is no out-flow. There is no release from the intake. When we breathe, there is breath in and breath out. That helps our hearts stay regulated, along with our central nervous system. 

Getting Mental Constipation Never Feels Good

There are so many examples of being the sponge for information. It needs an outlet to flow out of you, too. Sure, I am all for learning and growing. That’s a definite “yes” in my book. But if you are simply taking in the data and not releasing it in some form, then you will feel a deep sense of constipation. Blech. If you’ve ever been constipated, then you know it’s no fun.

Now, take that example and place it over the information intake. Place that over attempting to keep your mind in shape. 

Does that really help? It helps in the sense that you are aware of it. This also can play a major role in developing a healthier mind. When you truly can sense what’s going on inside your gut, then you have broken through another dimension. One of awareness, insight, and listening to your inner soul.

Mind work is not supposed to be mindless. Let me say for the high achievers out there that a blue ribbon will not be delivered to your front door. You’re looking for confirmation that you’ve completed another course, another book, another race. Congrats. Here’s a cookie.

Pay attention. Begin to learn more about that mind of yours. Treat it kindly. Develop an awareness of its presence. Practice the tender art of self-care. Understand the triggers within you and without you that totally send you to the moon.

As you begin the daily work of mental health, then always remember this road, this path, is yours. I have mine, you have yours. We all can choose to meet at the town square in River City and share our collective minds. Healthy minds attract healthy minds.

So, let us move forward with a solid conviction to treat our minds well.