Would you like to be mentally healthy?

Would you like to be mentally healthy?

I know, of course you want to be mentally healthy. Isn't that right? Perhaps the question is why are you drinking poison hoping not to be poisoned?

If you desire mental health, then you cannot indulge in unforgiveness or revenge.

A few years ago, I was so consumed with anger. My biggest problem was not knowing that I was that resentful. It was too painful for me to experience another disappointment after so much suffering. It has triggered anxieties in me.?I mean if you asked me, there was no animosity in me. I wished those who had treated me badly well. Why would someone ask me to forgive them??

I thought I was strong.

The doctor had diagnosed me as having post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Despite that, I am still going strong. For crying out loud, I consider myself a behavioural psychologist as well. I could cope all on my own, or so I thought. Unforgiveness is not a sign of strength.

The thought of suicide crossed my mind several times. A few of them were so strong that it took all my strength to hold on. A few years ago, I was looking down from the 10th floor of a skyscraper, thinking of just ending it all. My eyes were filled with tears. The pain was unbearable. I wanted it to end. There was no courage in me to live anymore.?

As I dialed the suicide hotline, I was filled with tears, fears, and trembling. The helpline would not connect for the weirdest reason. After calling multiple lines, I finally connected with the person who put me in the queue. Calling alone helped as a distraction. I made the choice to live after battling rivers of emotions that were about to drown me. I felt stupid for choosing to live. It was like I was my own fiercest enemy. I did not get any help from the help line for some reason. It was one of the longest, darkest nights of my life.

At the end of the episode, I decided I never wanted to experience those pains again. I must seek help. My psychiatrist had suggested I take pills for a long time, and I finally called my doctor about starting them. Even after getting my pills, I wanted more help than they could provide. Keeping the pill for emergencies, I decided to embark on a healing journey.

I found the secret!

The secret is out! Understanding the psychology of thoughts is essential. My subconscious was revealed to me. Throughout this journey, I discovered the greatest poison to a man's soul is unforgiveness.

Nelson Mandela said, "Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill your enemies."

I promise myself that I will never hold anger against anyone. No more. (Unfortunately, there are still some bad days)

There is nothing more poisonous than unforgiveness. Forgiveness is the only way to be free.

What are the steps to forgiveness??

It is a good time to remind ourselves that forgiveness is not the same as condoning.

JOAN BORYSENKO said in her book "FIRE IN THE SOUL “Forgiveness is not the misguided act of condoning irresponsible, hurtful behavior. Nor is it a superficial turning of the other cheek that leaves us feeling victimized and martyred. Rather it is the finishing of old business that allows us to experience the present, free of contamination from the past.”

How then do we forgive?

1. Acknowledge that you have been hurt. To start on the path to forgiveness, we must acknowledge that we have been hurt. We might not be able to avoid the slippery road of resentment if we do not identify our feelings deliberately. The other person has certainly caused us some emotional discomfort. It hurts. It is only after identifying what we feel that we can seek to heal the hurts we have suffered.?

2. Use affirmations to make suggestions to your subconscious.

We have to accept the pain we feel is real. We have to accept that what happened happened. But we also have to let go. I remind myself to forgive by affirming myself. I tell me what has happened, then I release my prisoner

I declare my forgiveness as a statement to myself, mostly. It is only myself that I need to convince, not the offender. I use affirmations to send suggestions to my subconscious.?

3. Be aware of the power of choice. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in recent years is that I can choose my actions regardless of what happens to me. Therefore, I choose peace ahead. I have made the decision to let go of everything that will impede my peace, including unforgiveness. Everyone has a choice!?

4. Understand the power of thoughts. Our thoughts are real. If we continue to brood over negative events, we recreate these events. Rather than thinking over the unpleasant events, I rather invest my thoughts and imagination, anticipating beautiful event.

"I believe that the mind of Man contains the greatest of all forces—that thought is one of the greatest manifestations of energy." Strong thought, or a thought long continued, will make us the center of attraction for the corresponding thought-waves of others. Like attracts like in the Thought World—as ye sow so shall ye reap. Birds of a feather flock together in the Thought World—curses like chickens come home to roost, and bring their friends with them. The man or woman who is filled with love sees love on all sides and attracts the Love of others. The man with hate in his heart gets all the hate he can stand. The man who thinks fight generally runs up against all the fight he wants before he gets through. And so it goes, each gets what he calls for over the wireless telegraphy of the mind. The man who rises in the morning feeling "grumpy" usually manages to have the whole family in the same mood before the breakfast is over."?-?William Walker Atkinson.

Our thoughts are real and tangible just like every other force of energy like sound, electricity, gas. Thoughts produce vibrations.

Your mental health is related to your thinking pattern. Invest?your thoughts wisely.?

?Thriveon.

Talk soon.

-Layo Olusola