Peace of Mind in Arduous Times

Have you ever thought about the fact that if you couldn't see, taste, smell, feel, or hear, you wouldn't be aware of your existence? Much the same way a seed has all the components needed for life, having the potential for life, but it's not truly alive until it begins to take in things from outside of itself. The components of a viable seed that help it to grow in the right conditions include a protective seed coat, an embryo, and a supply of nutrients. The seed coat acts as a protective layer, preventing the embryo from drying out or being damaged. The embryo is the young plant that will eventually grow from the seed. It contains the necessary genetic information and structures to develop into a mature plant. Lastly, the seed also contains a supply of nutrients, such as starch or oils, that the embryo can use as a source of energy during germination and early growth. Sounds like potential to me. The same way our body has a lot of components that make us viable for life. We have skin, blood, and nutrients within every cell of our body. It has all the genetic information needed to shed old cells and create new ones, as well as go through so many amazing, miraculous complex processes. Each of our bodies is a miracle in and of itself, and that is before adding on the ability to take in external stimuli, interpret that data, make decisions based off of it, and wire our brains to associate similar repetitive stimuli for "automation". For example, imagine a professional athlete who constantly pushes their physical limits through intense training and conditioning. By consistently challenging their body's capabilities, they not only improve their physical performance but also strengthen their mental resilience and determination. Studies have shown that this intentional creation of physical discomfort and pushing of limits can lead to increased endurance, improved cognitive function, and enhanced overall well-being.

In plants, water, oxygen, nutrients from the soil, and eventually sunshine, as it makes its way above the dirt, are the external inputs that will develop that plant. Interestingly enough, sounds affect plants as well, as studies have shown changes in growth in plants that have different types of music played to them*. For most plants, playing classical or jazz music caused growth to increase, while harsher metal music induced stress. This may be because the vibrations of metal music are too intense for plants and stimulate cells a little too much. These findings help us understand that external stimuli from some type of "senses" that plants apparently have can actually either positively or negatively affect them. Also, the quality of the nutrients they take in changes the state of their "body". (See the photo and caption)

I must say, I can relate to the plant. I'm not a huge fan of harsh metal music myself. I would much prefer something with a nice melody, and if you throw in some wise or relatable words that speak of life and the human condition, well then, "sold". I have listened to a lot of music over the past few years. It's been a comfort to me, kind of like a warm blanket in the winter. I especially love listening to and/or reading the lyrics of a song, even if I can't understand what the singer is saying at first. Of course, most times after reading through the lyrics, my brain begins to understand the words. I suppose it trains my brain to hear it better because it's looking for it. It sets an expectation for what's coming—there is that automation thing again. I had an interesting conversation with a young lady on Instagram several months ago. To be honest, I don't remember how the discussion started, but we ended up talking a good bit. She told me about issues she had going on in her life and how she had begun to deal with anxiety often. Of course, I tried to comfort her and offer words of encouragement, but honestly, that never feels like enough. I kept her on my mind for several days or weeks—time is a funny thing. But one day, I was just listening to some song on the radio or Spotify, and I began to recognize how it was making me feel. It was directing my thoughts, and I recognized myself tensing up the longer I listened. Immediately I thought of her. I messaged her and asked if she had been watching anything new or listening to anything in particular when these instances occurred. Sure enough, she thought about it and recognized that was the issue. I was relieved along with her. Life is hard enough to just live, but to be stimulated to a point of anxiety by an external source without the awareness of the fact that it is happening is horrible. In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus says, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness." This can be interpreted as a reminder to be mindful of what we expose ourselves to and how it can impact our thoughts and actions. I don't think the words of Jesus have ever been as relevant to me as they have started to become in recent days. I have learned so much about how the mind and body are connected and how the ability to be conscious of the two—through this otherworldly miracle, that is our spirit helping us to perceive LIFE. This is it, people. THIS IS LIFE. It's messy, it's toilsome, it's painful and complex, but it is also filled with joy, proliferation, the infinite possibilities of hope and love. YES, you have to do more than just take in the inputs. You have to learn to recognize the right inputs and the wrong ones. You also have to learn when to take action instead of just imagining and visualizing. We are material, and to create in the material requires energy, movement, and discipline. This is our physical kingdom. The domain starts within you. Are you taking dominion over yourself? Are you caring for the kingdom within you? You are a miraculous temple. Matthew 15:11, where Jesus says, "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person." I cannot control every stimulus or input that goes into this body of mine. But I can become aware of how they affect me, and that empowers me to be able to change. Some things are out of my control. However, I can control how I perceive them. How I react to them—though if some reactions are more automatic behaviors, like anger, it will take time to change—GRACE give me the strength. Maybe I can stay in a state of peace more often, and I can speak words of mercy, slightly seasoned with salt. At least that is my infinite hope, and I will continue to hold onto it. Hashtags: #peace #peaceofmind #awareness #selfawareness #stimuli #external #inputs #behavior #nutrition #mindset #transformation #health #mentalhealth

Studies cited:

• https://scholar.cu.edu.eg/sites/default/files/redagreen/files/advances_in_effects_of_sound_waves_on_plants.pdf

• https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f3ef/50e5de86c302c09e2d1b11f0d3295143182b.pdf

• http://aribas.edu.in/quest/2014/issue3/3.pdf

Perception refers to the way in which we interpret and make sense of sensory information from our environment. It involves the process of organizing, interpreting, and giving meaning to sensory inputs such as sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.

Studies have shown that influential imagery can have an impact on human behavior by altering perception. For example, research in the field of advertising has demonstrated that persuasive imagery can influence consumer behavior and decision-making. Additionally, studies in psychology have explored how visual cues and imagery can shape our perception of various stimuli, leading to changes in behavior and attitudes.