Training the Mind

[Thesis]

Originally Posted by einherjar

From the Enchridion Militis Christiani: A Guide for the Righteous Protector, by Erasmus 1503, extracted by Sergeant Chris Pascoe, Michigan State Police.

Twelfth Rule
TURN YOUR WEAKNESS INTO VIRTUE
If you are inclined to be selfish, make a deliberate effort to be giving

This is one that I currently am working on. I keep failing it because I assume that my brother man is also selfish.

[GratefulCitizen]

Originally Posted by Thesis

Twelfth Rule
TURN YOUR WEAKNESS INTO VIRTUE
If you are inclined to be selfish, make a deliberate effort to be giving

This is one that I currently am working on. I keep failing it because I assume that my brother man is also selfish.

Your mind is on justice. There is nothing wrong with that.
Remember that the giving is about changing your thinking, not their behavior.


My grandparents routinely gave money and meals to people who were transient or down on their luck.
One of these incidents and my grandfather's attitude clarified the issue for me:

He was on his way to a VFW meeting (post 5241 in Cortez, Colorado) and was wearing his cap.
A man on a motorcycle came up to him and said he was a Vietnam vet down on his luck, trying to make it out to family in California.

My grandfather asked him if he had eaten recently. The man said no.
Grandpa gave him some money, sent him to a local buffet, and said he would be back shortly.

The VFW post decided to give a small amount of money to cover the man's travel expenses, no questions asked.

After hearing the story, I asked my grandfather: "What if he was just scamming you and the VFW?"

Grandpa looked confused.
After a moment, he answered: "If he scammed us, then that's his problem, not ours. We did the right thing."


You can't control what others do.
You can only control your own choices.

[Novice Snowflake]

Reviewing the thread on training the mind has really helped me to grow as a man. Thank you and will continue to re-read this thread for its good gems.

[LongWire]

Originally Posted by HardworkYetNotASoldier

Reviewing the thread on training the mind has really helped me to grow as a man. Thank you and will continue to re-read this thread for its good gems.

Maybe you should do just that and only that. We don't care what your post count is especially since you have only just now complied with the rules here.

Read More Post Less!!!!!!!

When were you planning on joining, or are you just going to continue to troll?

[spherojon]

With this mindset, I may not be the most popular person in the world, but at least I can sleep at night knowing I did the right thing at the right time.

[Lan]

Thank you NDD and other Quiet Professionals for this thread, I learned a lot.

[angus mac]

I would like to ask about how to control a persons thoughts about things that happened in the past. What I am trying to say is things that if and when it comes into your thoughts you start re-living it and having the same feelings that I had when it was going on. The feelings I have ain't good,I don't want to erase entirely from my memory,just the feelings that come with it.I hope I have explained myself well enough;with all the Green Beret's and Rangers etc.I am hoping someone gets the gist of what I am asking.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by angus mac

I would like to ask about how to control a persons thoughts about things that happened in the past. What I am trying to say is things that if and when it comes into your thoughts you start re-living it and having the same feelings that I had when it was going on. The feelings I have ain't good,I don't want to erase entirely from my memory,just the feelings that come with it.I hope I have explained myself well enough;with all the Green Beret's and Rangers etc.I am hoping someone gets the gist of what I am asking.

If you're having issues I'd suggest you see a professional.

[angus mac]

I cannot go to a pro. I will lose my job. My wife is very sick and we need the insurance. Besides I do not want,nor can I trust anyone,other people knowing about the experisnces I had to deal with. I do'nt discuss these things with anyone,not even myself,I just want to not feel,(or re-feel)how I felt at the times I am talking about. The thoughts I can deal with,the feelings are what rocks me. I am talking about all the way to my spirit. The thoughts would be ok,just not the feelings that always come too.

[Toaster]

Well as you're on the road alot, you could always stop at a Catholic Church (or any denomination) and talk with the Padre. Most Christian pastors keep their mouth shout about what people discuss with them. If it's in a town you are just driving through, you'll probably never see them again. Talking about things helps.

While you're driving listen to a motivational or inspirational CDs or something, Zig Ziglar for instance. I find it hard to have negative thoughts when I'm listening to someone that's very cheerful and energetic.

Garbage in, garbage out. You'll think about whatever input is going into your life. Be careful about what you let in.

I'm also not a professional, just applying the rule of "if you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting".

[angus mac]

Men thank you for responding to me and I will take the advice that Toaster gave. I am not physco,un-stable or crazy. I am not a threat to anyone,nor am I suicidal. I know perfectly well the difference from right and wrong. The mind tells the body what to do,always. The stuff I am talking about is like I am going through something all over again;with my eyes wide open I see things and feel it just like when it happened. I pray a lot,I am a believer.Thanks men.I'm out.

[JMI]

Originally Posted by Chadmf89

I think I definitely need to check myself. Rushing into the 18x contract does not seem like a good idea. I have a lot to prepare for after what you said. I think it might even be good for me to go Rangers first and get some combat under my belt. As scary as that sounds. Wow, I got a lot to think about.

This site has that effect on people. I am a civilian and I read this thread almost weekly. One of the axioms I spread daily is something NDD wrote:

OBSTACLES ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXCELLENCE.

It is a daily experience for me.

[Books]

Originally Posted by JMI

This site has that effect on people. I am a civilian and I read this thread almost weekly. One of the axioms I spread daily is something NDD wrote:

OBSTACLES ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXCELLENCE.

It is a daily experience for me.

Or, as Donald Shimoda said in the seventies, "Every problem has a gift for you in its hands; you seek the problems because you need the gift." Bonus points to who ever knows who Donald Shimoda is.

[sofmed]

Originally Posted by Books

Or, as Donald Shimoda said in the seventies, "Every problem has a gift for you in its hands; you seek the problems because you need the gift." Bonus points to who ever knows who Donald Shimoda is.

He is one of two main characters in the book Illusions written way back in '77 (that's 1977 for our younger crowd.)

Now, who knows who wrote this book, among others?

Wishing you the best!

Mick

[sofmed]

A man at his best. You are not so born. Strive daily to develop yourself in your person, in your calling, until perfection is attained: the fullness of your every gift, of your every faculty. You will know it in the improvement of your taste, in the clarification of your thinking, in the maturity of your judgment, in the control of your will. Some never attain the perfect, something always being lacking, and others are late in coming to themselves. The man complete, wise in speech, wise in action, is admitted, yea, he is welcomed into that rare fellowship of those who understand.

Baltasar Gracian
Originally published in 1647

Wishing you the best.

Mick