Being Mindful
by Jedi Kidohdin
"Being a Jedi is not some fantastic instantaneous transformation into some glowing superbeing. :\ It is a slow process of learning how to see the world with different eye than your average joe." --Tighearna
Obi-Wan: "Anakin, you're focusing on the negative again. Be mindful of your thoughts." -Episode II Qui-Gon: "Don't center on your anxiety, Obi-Wan." -Episode I
Obi-Wan: "Be mindful of your thoughts Anakin. They'll betray you." -Episode II Mace Windu: "Be mindful of your feelings." -Episode I
Qui-Gon: "Remember: Your focus determines your reality." -Episode I
Many people go through life without examining their thoughts, but not Jedi! Jedi are always examining and evaluating everything - especially their own thoughts and motives and feelings. We need to examine our thoughts because of the negative tendencies of the mind.
The mind seems to have a negative focus in most people. For example, a couple can have a thousand wonderful experiences together, but it will be that negative argument where unkind words were exchanged that will be remembered the most. That negative experience will stick, and all the positive experiences will fade into the background. Do 100 good things for someone and only one bad thing, and be sure that they will remember the bad thing! We watch the evening news to learn what went wrong today, how many people died, where did the disaster happen, etc. These are all examples of the negative tendencies of the mind or the 'negative focus'.
This negative mental tendency is why Jedi are always mindful of their thoughts. Jedi are aware that our thoughts can be influenced by the thoughts of others, locations, negative and positive energy, electro-magnetic energy, drugs, books, films, and even the food we eat. We need to be mindful of these outer influences, be on the look-out for them.
We also need to be mindful of our thought patterns. Negative thought patterns caused by poor habits can be reversed, if we work on it. We can become more positive in our attitude if we examine our thoughts and set a positive focus instead of a negative focus.
If we look for the good and positive in things and try to find the light, instead of the darkness, it will help. If we focus on the present moment, and not drag the negative past into the present moment, we will be more positive. If we don't worry about the future we will be more positive too. There are many ways to become more positive, and we can change if we work on it. MTFBWY! -JK
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