Copyright 2003 Kevin Stacey. All rights reserved.

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In this issue:

1. Monthly Article: Who’s the master?
2. About the author.
3. Privacy statement.
4. Subscription information.

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1. Who’s the master?

There is an old Asian proverb that says, "The mind makes a wonderful servant but a terrible master." I found an incredible example that demonstrates this point while reading about the human tragedy that was the Bataan Death March in the Philippines during World War 2. Over 70,000 American and Philippino soldiers were forced to surrender due to malnutrition and lack of ammunition, the largest American fighting force in history to surrender. Their Japanese captors showed no regard for human life, and the treatment they received was horrible beyond belief. The POWs were forced to march 60 miles to a concentration camp in scorching conditions with no food and very little water. If you stumbled and couldn’t get back up, or if you tried to stop for any type of human need, you were either bayoneted or shot. They had no idea where they were going or how long the march would last, and they were beaten for not being able to follow orders that were shouted to them in Japanese. After the war it was determined 25,000 died on the road.

The march must have been one of biggest tests in history of the human will to survive. In reading survivors’ accounts, one in particular had an impact on me. He said, "During the march, I wouldn’t let my mind entertain any thoughts of stopping or not being able to make it. I would pick out an upcoming tree and just focus on making it to that next tree." This gentlemen was one of a very small percentage of the original 70,000 that survived 3 years of captivity and lived to tell about it. No doubt due in large part to his refusal to allow his mind to think about harmful things.

When I read something like that, it never fails to make me think, "And we think that we have problems?" It also reminds me how, in modern times, far too many people let their minds be the master. Far too many people let their mind have its way with them by allowing it to regurgitate counterproductive stuff. Far too many people simply make matters much worse for themselves than they have to be.

We can easily forget that when we let an external situation or person gain a "foothold" inside of our mind we give that person or situation power over us since they are taking up a percentage of our consciousness. If negative emotions come from negative thoughts, what possible good could it do to dwell on your negative thinking?

The good news is that you can be the master of your mind. Not every thought has to be "front page news" inside of your mind. Remind yourself that just because you think something doesn’t mean you have to dwell on it. You must be very vigilant since the thoughts can be very seductive and it’s easy to allow yourself to be pulled into them. What you do is refuse to let your mind dwell on counterproductive matters by quickly dismissing harmful thinking as soon as you notice it. Say to yourself something like, "Cancel, Cancel."

I’m not suggesting denying the truth or suppressing emotion. If you have a significant life event that brings up emotion, it’s normal and healthy to feel whatever you’re feeling and express it so you get through the emotion and hopefully come out on the other side. The order would be feel it, express it, let it go. Sure, at times you’re going to need to wallow in some pretty uncomfortable stuff. But always ask yourself the questions, "At what point is this becoming counterproductive?" "Is this how I’d like to feel?" "How is this working for me?"

Of course, mastery over the mind is easier said than done, but our internal mental workings are all habit, and we are always responsible. The most inspirational thing to do is look at situations when people have maintained mastery over their minds in the most dire of circumstances. Remember, if someone on the Bataan Death March could do it, then why can’t you?

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2. Kevin Stacey is a professional speaker/trainer who works with organizations that want to enhance their bottom line by investing in their most important resource, their people, through training programs that increase their effectiveness and eliminate negativity and self-induced problems. He develops and delivers captivating programs packed with practical information that seminar participants can immediately put to use. With an extensive background in clinical healthcare through both civilian and military settings and the managed care industry, he has developed a variety of training programs and presented over 400 professional speaking engagements for over 9,000 audience members throughout the United States and internationally. 
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Contact Information:
Kevin M. Stacey

TrainRight, Inc.

222 Samuel Drive

Whitinsville, MA 01588

1-800-603-7168

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