Sunday Newscape Magazine

Most people don’t realize how much their past can haunt them throughout their lifetime. Unknowingly, the majority carry around a mental image of failure or abuse they’ve encountered at some point in their lives, which impedes their ability to succeed. I see this all the time. It’s like watching a person carrying luggage in an airport; the bags are full of things they just can’t let go.

The so-called things I am referring to is the mental monster. Believe it or not, the mental monster is your mind. This tool (our minds) that is here to help us succeed and overcome obstacles can also torture us to the brink if we let it. Everyday our minds are in a constant civil war between the present and the past all coming together in a split second to make decisions.

The only way to succeed in this thing we call life is to not conquer the monster because it will always be there, but control it. You are not alone, but you must realize what you are up against. The mental monster is just you fighting with yourself when you want to make a change in your life. It loves the blueprint of your life you have set up and is waiting to tell you why you should not make any changes. Whether it is self-destructive or not, when you step out of your comfort zone, all hell breaks loose inside your mind.

Any change you want to make in your life is a challenge, which requires just one powerful word-Decision. A decision is the act of making up one’s mind. Once you place a thought of change firmly in your mind and do it on a daily basis, nothing will stand in your way. The monster will just hang around and tease you when the opportunity arises. Don’t fall victim to it; just realize it is your mind playing tricks on you.

Here is one simple analysis that is usually the culprit. It all boils down to one powerful word “conditioning” which means “accustomed to.”   Simply put, what you are used to, or have been forced to endure “your surroundings” could affect your life for the positive or negative. This psychological process is taught at a very young age by adults or individuals who do not, or care not to understand the mental hardship passed on to you by their words or actions. Most people don’t realize this unfortunately, until it’s too late.

A great example of good and bad conditioning is how the rich stay rich, and the poor stay poor. These two categorized lifestyles don’t just happen, they are taught. In other words, a person of wealth will teach their children knowingly and unknowingly how to keep the lifestyle. Likewise, a person who struggles day in and day out will not necessarily teach this, but their children will observe and absorb the picture of hardship around them.

In short, how to control the monster is quite simple. You must look that monster square in the face, decide what you want, conquer your fears, and never give up. It doesn’t matter what happened to you in the past, it matters what you want to do for the future. Challenge yourself everyday with a plan to move forward and you will watch your life materialize into what you are striving for. Never let the Monster win!