The Value of Control
We have been conditioned utilizing materialistic values as a way of assessing our place in life. By these same values we have determined our success or failure, happiness or sadness, or our strength or weakness. However, if we look deeply within ourselves, we may find that conscious control is the most important asset we have. Nothing satisfies more or gives more freedom that comes with the control of your inner world of mind and emptions.
“Oh, while I live, to be the ruler of life, not a slave, to meet life as a powerful conqueror, and nothing exterior to me shall ever take command of me.” Walt Whitman
Who or what has control of your emotions and feelings? Is it the banker or is it that political opponent that rings your bell? Perhaps it’s one or more family members that have paid you too little attention, or worse yet, too much attention.
Aside from my family problems, less income than my bills would allow, and a job I did not like, I was a super fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. I had been a fan before they moved to Los Angeles. I would listen to the games when I could. There weren’t regular televised games in those days. My emotions were tied to either the team winning or losing. Those that knew me knew better than to approach me after a loss. Some called me ‘The last angry man.’ Needless to say, I was not in control of my life, and everyone around me suffered as well. It is easy to say that that scenario of myself was over fifty years ago, however, the bitter memories of those days and times remind me to maintain control of negative emotions. Even though there are daily challenges to peace of mind, I cannot and will not yield to an emotional set back.
Recently I attended a movie at our local theater with my forever fiancé. Later when she was describing the movie to a friend, she commented that Walt laughed and cried with joy at various stages of the film. Being in control of your emotions and feelings allows you room to express those wonderful and loving feelings within you. Hatred and anger do not contribute one iota of goodness, truth, and beauty and your peace of mind. Gratitude and thanksgiving are not just reactionary emotions, it is a causative energy. It is an effective key by which one may “meet life as a powerful conqueror.”
I still love sports, however, I have switched from baseball to football, and my team is the Raiders. For the past few years, the Raiders have lost more games than they have won. I enjoy the game more when they win but I still enjoy the game when they lose. I even have a bet with my neighbor who is a Charger fan. Her team loses about as much as mine. We laugh about it and hope for better results next year.
I once heard a lecture from a Religious Science minister that said, “If you are going to hate, do it with a ‘perfect hate.’ I spoke to him after the lecture and inquired about the meaning of perfect hate. He told of how people say they hate this, that or them, but they stick like glue to them to maintain their hate. If they hate with a perfect hate, they no longer pay any attention to them. The perfect hate frees them from the emotion drain and damage of hate.
Say to yourself, “I utilize my emotional nature in constructive and enjoyable ways. I am made in the image and after the likeness of God and, as such, am in control of my life. I am always a winner as I maintain control of my life. I have love and beauty in all things for God is my light. I know that my thoughts, words and actions create my experience.
God is Love and Loving You Right Now!
(The Rev. Dr. Walt Sharer is minister at Bishop Church of Religious Science, located at 129 E. Line St., Bishop. Rev. Freda Lindsay and Rev. Walt officiate the weekly, Sunday services at 10 a.m. You can hear Rev. Walt’s message on “The Devotional Hour” on Sierra Wave KSRW 92.5 FM Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. The church can be reached at (760) 873-4195 for more information.)