Enough!

“We do not sing because we are happy,
we are happy because we sing.”
-William James

_  “I’ve had enough!”  I am sitting with a plate full of food in front of me.  I am trying to eat but my hands and fingers won’t cooperate.  I spill food on the table, smear it on my face and can’t get it in my mouth.  I’m trying, but the more I try, the more frustrated I become.  I throw the spoon down and scream, “Enough!  I can’t do this anymore!" 

My mind is thinking, “Wednesday-Thursday-Friday.” 
(Look at the initials, you’ll get it)


Then my mind takes me to a dark place:  My future... 

I think to myself, “You think this is bad Akhil, wait six months when more of your muscles quit working.  It's only going to get worse!”

How long do I have to endure this?  Isn’t this like a movie?  If I don’t like it, I get up and leave.  When do I get to leave this ALS movie?  I know how it ends – it sucks, wrong, it suffocates!!

I want out, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I heard God …

_ “Akhil let’s talk about your  'self-talk', the messages you are sending to your brain and subconscious mind.  These words are not the only a mechanism through which you communicate, there’s body language involved. 



"Imagine if someone approaches you to shake your hand and their shoulders are slumped, their head down, and they cannot even look you in the eye, they are communicating at various levels.

“In this same manner, when you stand up straight, throw your shoulders back, and speak in a commanding tone, don’t you feel more confident?  Why?  You are the same person with the same level of competency, knowledge, and skill.  Just as our slump shouldered fellow communicated to you that he was not confident or competent by his body language, you convey to your own conscious and subconscious mind that you are confident and in control by your body language.  

 “Emotion follows motion!

“If you can get your arms around this concept, you will amaze yourself (and others).  It is one of the most powerful and easy to use methods of controlling your mind and emotions available.

“Sadly it is little understood and rarely used.  When you sing, what are you conveying to your conscious and subconscious minds?  Isn’t your body language enthusiastic, the words emotional, driven into your brain with rhythm and melody? 

“Use your body to create states of mind.  If you want to be enthusiastic, act enthusiastic.  If you want to be confident, fake it ‘til you make it.  Emotion follows motion.” 

---

Ok, I put those words to the test.
                                    
I sat up straight, I took the spoon, spilled more food and then magically food was in my mouth.  I stayed focused on NOW. 

Tomorrow will take care of itself.

Then I sang to myself:  One day at a time, sweet Jesus

Before I knew it, I was smiling.

---