There’s a quote I’d like to share with you: “In our country
people are rarely imprisoned for their ideas because we are already imprisoned
by our ideas.” The venerable Marcus Garvey is credited with
saying that. And I find his observation frighteningly true.
Some people think they’re always right and the universe is beholden
to them. Some think they’ve reached the zenith of their development
and there’s no place in this world for perspectives that don’t directly
support their own. These are just a few examples of imprisoned
minds. But among the worst are those unaware they’re imprisoned at
all. They’re the worst because they’re unable or unwilling to acknowledge
the need to break free.
How can you and I determine whether or not we are those people?
How do we determine if our thoughts are actually imprisoning us?
The answer is simple: evaluate whether our thinking translates into
actions that draw us nearer to our individual goals.
Are we happier as a result of our mode of thinking? Are we
stressed out, physically and/or emotionally drained by the end of each
day? Do we awaken the next morning, confronted by yesterday’s problems,
but still no better equipped to deal with them? And after all is
said and done do we still defend methods and a mind-set proven to
have failed us in the past?
Life shouldn’t become more difficult as we gain increasingly
more experience and acquire more information. It should become
easier, less stressful and more fulfilling. If it hasn’t, yet we remain
steadfast on the path to ruin, it’s likely we’re the ones imprisoned by
our thinking.
In the spirit of liberation,
Antonio
