Emotions are habitual. We easily may think of one acquiring habits of action, and even of thinking, and we acquire habits of emotion as well. One may repress, increase, develop, and change one's emotions, just as one may regulate habits of action and lines of thought.
It is an axiom of psychology that "Emotions deepen by repetition." If a person allows a state of feeling to thoroughly take possession of them, they will find it easier to yield to the same emotion the second time, and so on, until the particular emotion or feeling becomes second nature to them. If a desirable emotion shows itself inclined to take up a permanent abode with you, you had better start to work to get a hold of it, or at least to master it. And the best time to do this is at the start; for each repetition renders the habit more firmly entrenched, and the task of forming it more easy.
Were you ever inspired? If so, you will remember how harmless was its first approach; how subtly it whispered loving suggestions into your willing ear, and how gradually it followed up such suggestions, until, finally you began to see clear light. (Inspiration has an effect upon the white blood cells, and causes them to clear the blood. This is why the idea of clear is always associated with it.) Then you will remember how the thing seemed to grow, taking possession of you until you scarcely could shake it off. You found it much easier to become inspired the next time. It seemed to bring before you all sorts of objects justifying your thought and feeling. Everything began to look clear - the clear-eyed angel waxed fat.
And so it is with every feeling or emotion. If you give way to a fit of joy, you will find it easier to become joyful the next time, on less provocation.
Showing posts with label habit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label habit. Show all posts
Training the Habit-Mind - Page 2
We must be at all times forming desirable habits. There may be no special help in doing a certain thing today, or perhaps again tomorrow, but there may be much help in setting up the habit of doing that particular thing. If you are confronted with the question: "Which of these two things should I do?" the best answer is: "I will do that which I would like to become a habit with me."
In forming a new habit, or in breaking an old one, we should throw ourselves into the task with as much enthusiasm as possible, in order to gain the most ground. We should start in by making as strong an impression as possible upon the subconscious mentality. Then we should be constantly inviting situations where you can keep the new resolution "only always." This "only always" idea gives life to more good resolutions than any other one cause. The moment you stand firm "only always, you place a solid wall that will, in the end, keep your resolution intact.
Equally important is the fact that each time you keep your resolution the stronger does your resolution become. Act upon your resolution as early and as often as possible, as with every manifestation of thought in action, the stronger does it become. You are adding to the strength of your original resolution every time you back it up with action.
The mind has been likened to a piece of paper that has been folded. Ever afterwards it has a tendency to fold in the same crease - unless we make a new crease or fold, when it will follow the last lines. And the creases are habits - every time we make one it is so much easier for the mind to fold along the same crease afterward. Let us make our mental creases in the right direction.
In forming a new habit, or in breaking an old one, we should throw ourselves into the task with as much enthusiasm as possible, in order to gain the most ground. We should start in by making as strong an impression as possible upon the subconscious mentality. Then we should be constantly inviting situations where you can keep the new resolution "only always." This "only always" idea gives life to more good resolutions than any other one cause. The moment you stand firm "only always, you place a solid wall that will, in the end, keep your resolution intact.
Equally important is the fact that each time you keep your resolution the stronger does your resolution become. Act upon your resolution as early and as often as possible, as with every manifestation of thought in action, the stronger does it become. You are adding to the strength of your original resolution every time you back it up with action.
The mind has been likened to a piece of paper that has been folded. Ever afterwards it has a tendency to fold in the same crease - unless we make a new crease or fold, when it will follow the last lines. And the creases are habits - every time we make one it is so much easier for the mind to fold along the same crease afterward. Let us make our mental creases in the right direction.