I stumbled across a line by William James the other day that has stuck in my mind:
“My experience is what I agree to attend to. Only those items which I notice shape my mind.”
If I pay attention to gossip and malice, it will shape my mind.
If I pay attention to my negative thoughts, they will shape my mind.
If I pay attention to the temptation to catastrophize, to jump from one bit of unhappiness to the worst possible outcome, despair will shape my mind.
If I pay attention to how annoying every last little inconvenience is, and how irritating the challenging people in my life can be, frustration will shape my mind.
These things are not good.
On the other hand, if I pay attention to every kindness done to me, the light from those good deeds will shape my mind.
If I pay attention to God’s goodness and mercy, His love will shape my mind.
If I pay attention to the lessons I can learn rather from hard experiences, and the forgiveness Christ offers me, hope will shape my mind.
We get to choose what we pay attention to, what we ponder and treasure and store up in our hearts. As Paul tells us, those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5).
Today I agree to attend to what the Spirit desires, no matter what that may be. Will you join me?
