Hello lovely readers and welcome back to Mindset Mondays! The only weekly post that encourages you to embrace the dark side of the force…
Following a 3-2-1 approach, it contains 3 thoughts from me (that you should ignore), 2 quotes from others (that you should read), and 1 thing I’ve been reading, watching or listening to this week that has helped me grow.
As a bonus I’ve finished with 1 joke that’s so bad, it’s good.
Let’s begin!
3 x Thoughts:
1) Acceptance is about acknowledging your demons, it’s not about letting them dictate the terms.
2) The only thing to fear isn’t fear itself. Fearing fear is the definition of an anxiety disorder. The only thing to fear is death, because that’s what fear is designed to do – keep you alive! It’s not designed to save you from embarrassment or failure. It’s fearing our own emotions, that’s the worst thing to fear in this life. It’s fearing discomfort that will kill your quality of life.
3) Questioning what we believe feels like we are questing the very meaning of our lives, which is difficult. However, the more you do it, the more you realise you don’t know, the more comfortable you become not knowing. It gets easier over time. That, eventually, makes you more comfortable being wrong. This in turn makes you more willing to learn.
2 x Quotes:
“If you make people think they’re thinking, they’ll love you; but if you really make them think, they’ll hate you.”
– Don Marquis
“Freedom without discipline is foolish, discipline without freedom is insanity.”
– Ilona Mialik
1 x Thing:
This No Stupid Questions podcast episode: Should We Just Ignore Our Weaknesses? – with Stephen Dubner (co-author of the Freakonomics book series) and research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of Grit). In this episode they debate whether one would play to their strengths or work on their weaknesses. Of course it’s complicated, however they did come to a conclusion I liked. You should play to your strengths, but work on your weakness within them. Well worth the listen.
1 x Joke:
Another far side comic for you all this week – I hope you enjoy!
Thanks ladies and gentlemen, I’m here all week! As always I welcome ALL thoughts on this blog. Let us know in the comments below.
PREVIOUS MONDAY POST:
Clear Air Turbulence 
First time I recall reading your blog. Enjoyable, thank you.
I like that you’re humorous. I am delighted by the style of the Far Side cartoon you included. Have fun!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you enjoyed it. If it gets a smile that makes my day. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thought #1 is awesome! I completely agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ashley. Glad it resonated 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fearing for one’s own life and safety is definitely a fear I can relate to. It gets those fighter and survivor instincts into attack mode. But I’m not talking about hypothetical situations but actual danger staring one in the face. I think fearing anything else is just a useless burden. What’s there to fear when we are in control of so little.
And we must always be open to new thoughts and ideas. Stagnation just eats away at the brain. If we think that we can be wrong, only then can we work towards trying to be right. It’s a whole learning and growing process which must never end.
I have a few people I would love to push off a building. But I’ll just keep my killer instincts at bay. Haha!
Great post! Take care and have a great week. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I sometimes wonder where my fear originates when my life patently isn’t in danger. Sometimes we have to do some digging to work it out. Like you said, it’s a useless burden most of the time. I often wonder whether we have any control at all? That perhaps I should just sit back inside my mind and enjoy the show? Is there such a thing as free will?
Learning to be a little less wrong. That’s always the aim. Forget being right.
You and I both! Best to keep those killer instincts in check 😂
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always a pleasure. Thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The joke is fantastic! Just what my Monday needed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by 🙏
LikeLike
Agree with your #2. I like the Don Marquis quote.
I took the 34 Clifton Strengths assessment at a previous job. The premise is that by focusing on your strengths rather than your weaknesses, you’ll accomplish more. I found it to be a stunningly accurate self-assessment, but I didn’t feel like I managed to use those strengths either at work or outside work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess it’s hard to find a job that matches up perfectly with both our strengths and desires. I love writing, but I wouldn’t say it’s a strength. My strength is creativity which is something I utilise more in my hobbies than I do in my job. Maybe one day this will change.
Thank you for stopping by and lending your thoughts. 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thoughtful post, great cartoon. ❤ All the best, AP!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Cheryl. Hope all is well with you too 🙏
LikeLike
I love the second point you write about fear. I have dealt with social anxiety before and I was so afraid of social interaction! A large theme of my life is to become aware of any of my fears so that I can release it. I learned something very cool this week! You might already know this! Apparently, we have a negative bias towards things because our brain is wired to seek out “threats” in the environment so we can survive. Lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I’m aware of our negativity bias. I was told it takes 4 good things to make up for 1 bad thing!
Awareness is very important for overcoming our fears. To know where they have truly come from. We have to hold those fears in our heart and then go ahead with life anyway. I believe if one can manage that, they stand to gain a great deal of courage and confidence.
Thank you Linda. I hope you’re doing well 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I read that in the book as well (the 4 goods things for 1 bad thing), and I was like hey, I learned that from AP2! The book is called, Mindfulness for Creativity. So it certainly takes a lot of mindfulness to rewrite our minds! I love that so much! Awareness allows us to not be controlled by our fears. We can thank them for protecting us and choose to live life with courage. 🙂 The empowerment does give one confidence! Thank you as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person