Don’t think about a carrot. Right now, clear your mind and don’t think about a carrot. If you are like most people, trying to not think about something can seem like an impossible task. Sometimes the carrot looms large.
However, one of the “executive functions” of our brains is Attention Control. This endogenous area is in the frontal lobe of our brains and it is responsible for our ability to concentrate on a decided task. Some of us may feel that our executive function is not functioning as well as it should–and we would actually be correct. But, there is hope, because this frontal lobe is a brain area that we can take charge of.
We cannot control our subconscious thoughts completely, and we don’t get to reign supreme over our dreams when our eyes are closed, but the Attention Control area is ours to manipulate.
This brings me back to the carrot. Remember the carrot that you were not thinking about? Well, if we aren’t going to think about a carrot …we have to find something to take its place.
Recently, I was plagued by a carrot. It wasn’t orange and I couldn’t use it to make a cake–but it was in my head and annoying me constantly. It was frustrating because I really didn’t want to dwell on the stupid vegetable anymore. During this time of trying to remove the carrot, I would read different passages from the Bible and wrap my brain around them so tightly, that there was no room for the carrot.
Since New Year’s Eve, I have been thinking about a particular Bible verse over and over. Two days into my thoughts on the verse, the Lord impressed on me to take my thoughts one step further. I became aware of how I could dwell on them in a way that will, hopefully, bring Him the most glory.
In order to fully dwell on the things that I want to dwell on, and in an attempt to bring you along with me to a place of peace and purpose, I am going to be writing a blog series. This will be an 8 post series on a bible verse from the book of Philippians. Philippians is a book of the bible in the New Testament (it’s near the back of the Bible). It is an awesome book, filled with encouragement. In the 4th chapter there is a verse (vs. 8–see it below) that tells us EXACTLY what we are to be using our frontal lobe to concentrate on.
Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Whatever is True…Imagination and True Love’s Kiss
Whatever is Honorable…O Captain, my Captain…where was your honor?
Whatever is Right…When a Superhero can’t save the day
Whatever is Pure…Sex on the Keyboard
Whatever is Lovely…My Lovely Rubbermaid Container
Whatever is of Good Repute…Don’t Want to Drop the Ball
If there is any Excellence…7 Steps to Excellence with Your Lover
If Anything Worthy of Praise…Can You Hear Me Now?
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)
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1 comment
6 pings
Hazel I. Moon
January 3, 2012 at 9:55 am (UTC -7)
Carrots? Fruit? Growth? New ideas? and don’t forget – - Rest!
Imagination and True Love’s KISS » Adventures in the Ordinary
January 8, 2012 at 6:18 pm (UTC -7)
[...] « Dwell On These Things [...]
O Captain, my Captain…where was the honor? » Adventures in the Ordinary
January 16, 2012 at 5:02 pm (UTC -7)
[...] Dwell On These Things [...]
When a Superhero can’t save the day… » Adventures in the Ordinary
January 20, 2012 at 8:08 pm (UTC -7)
[...] Dwell On These Things [...]
Sex on the Keyboard » Adventures in the Ordinary
January 26, 2012 at 4:19 pm (UTC -7)
[...] Dwell On These Things [...]
My lovely Rubbermaid container » Adventures in the Ordinary
January 31, 2012 at 6:04 am (UTC -7)
[...] Dwell On These Things [...]
Don’t Want to Drop the Ball! » Adventures in the Ordinary
February 7, 2012 at 11:15 am (UTC -7)
[...] as I was pondering my “Whatever is of good repute” for my Dwell on These Things Series, I began to realize that my attitude is part of the problem that has led our society to a place [...]