Oct
It is a myth that you are born with characteristics that make you mentally strong throughout your life. As you grow and develop your personality, you develop mental strength with practice, grit, and intention.
You have the power to defend against the negative influences that pervade your conscious as well as the unconscious mind, often hidden in your shadow life.
The following are five approaches people with mental strength practice daily:
Get Through Adversity
Mentally strong people know that good luck plays some role in their happiness or success, but they don’t wait around for good luck to strike. Mentally strong people intend to walk their life’s path by staying in the present moment. You become empowered by focusing on possibilities instead of trying to control what is not within your power.
Bottom line: You cannot control everything that comes your way; however, you are in absolute control of how you react to it. And that changes everything.
Make Every Action a Positive One
The most effective way to prevent negativity is to engage in the positive aspects of the present situation. Apply your efforts in a positive direction, and you will reap more rewards. Instead of rebelling against what you dislike or cannot control, work to build and support what you value and admire.
Everyone goes through downtimes. Moods sink with negative energy. But feeding negativity with positivity will help focus your attention and energy on what is working and increase your stake in becoming mentally strong.
Be Committed
To be committed means having a solid mind: to work, play, study, exercise, and love. Commitment might be the most challenging ritual for mentally strong people.
You might tell yourself that you are too tired to exercise, that your dreams are not achievable, or that you have no time to play.
Transforming these negative thoughts sets up how mentally strong you will become. It is common to think that mental strength is about how your respond to extreme circumstances: speaking in front of 1,000 people; regrouping after a failed business; keeping life going after being in the hospital or suffering a physical injury.
Undoubtedly, extreme circumstances test your bravery, determination, and mental strength. But most people are focused on everyday situations that also require total commitment. For example, I have been comfortable swimming half a mile daily for the last two years. And then I began to push the envelope. How about swimming a mile? It’s slow, plodding, and sometimes I cannot do one more stroke because my wrists ache or my shoulders are sore. But I keep going. Commitment is a daily practice.
You can prove yourself in little ways and be happy with your mental and physical fortitude daily. Mental strength is built by making small choices and gaining small victories. Of course, you can find something easier to do. Yet, mentally strong people find a way to persevere when things get complicated.
Make a Difference
You can make a difference by knowing your values, acting with kindness, displaying consistent character, and being a trusted friend and advocate. Mental strength is about the values you possess and how you use your gifts.
Live a life that makes you proud – one that matters and makes a difference. Be positive, express gratitude, be generous, and open your heart and mind. Your positivity will inspire others to become mentally strong.
Joan Frances Moran is a creative thought leader exploding with the potential of now. A lifelong learner with an unrelenting curiosity, Joan started teaching yoga at 60 and unlocked the key to cultivating daily happiness. Her signature headstand is not the only thing that leaves audiences in awe.