Changes

#Do you frequently have problems with anxiety?  Can you reduce the occurrences or intensity?

#Do you frequently have problems with anxiety?  Can you reduce the occurrences or intensity?

#Does your mind apply logic to reject the illogical, even when the illogical is pressed upon you by the media, Hollywood or peer pressure?

#Do ignorant or illogical remarks by others bother you, even when the illogical is pressed upon you by the media, Hollywood or peer pressure?

#Are you vulnerable to teasing, or can you "mock the mockery"?

#Are you vulnerable to teasing, or can you "mock the mockery"?

#Can you view yourself objectively, admit when you are wrong, and change towards what is advantageous?

#Can you view yourself objectively, admit when you are wrong, and change towards what is advantageous?

#Can you speak in front of a large hostile audience?

#Can you speak in front of a large hostile audience?

#Do you have unexplained difficulties in social situations?

#Do you have unexplained difficulties handling social situations?

#Do you dwell on things that are unchangeable and thus unproductive, such as the past?

#Do you dwell more on your past than on your future, or dwell on other things that are unchangeable?

#If someone insults you, for how long (in minutes or hours) will that bother you?

#If someone insults you, for how long (in minutes or hours) will that bother you?

#Is your mind strong enough to deny desires of your body, such as addictions or unhealthy food consumption?

#Is your mind strong enough to deny desires of your body, such as addictions or unhealthy food consumption?

#Is your mind able to overcome irrational fears, such as fears of rejection, public speaking, public humiliation, failure, flying, dog attacks, guns, heights, close quarters, big crowds, seeing doctors, and others?

#Is your mind able to overcome irrational fears, such as fears of rejection, public speaking, public humiliation, failure, flying, dog attacks, guns, heights, close quarters, big crowds, seeing doctors, and others?

One can score himself, and use the score to improve.  Let's trim the above list to the ten best.

One can score himself, and use the score to improve.  Let's trim the above list to the ten best.

In [[public school]], the primary approach to mental weakness is to prescribe medication, and that is the approach taken by many adults also.  Liberal actor [[Heath Ledger]], for example, was on anti-anxiety medications when he died of an overdose of drugs.  But there other approaches available.

In [[public school]], the primary approach to mental weakness is to prescribe medication, and that is the approach taken by many adults also.  Liberal actor [[Heath Ledger]], for example, was on anti-anxiety medications when he died of an overdose of drugs.  But there other approaches available.

Christianity, for example, offers a combination of logic, faith, complete love for God (which excludes distraction), and willingness for complete self-sacrifice.  Thomas Aquinas added mockery to the available tools that can be used.

Christianity, for example, offers a combination of logic, faith, complete love for God (which excludes distraction), and willingness for complete self-sacrifice.  Thomas Aquinas added mockery to the available tools that can be used.  The personal sacrifice by Jesus Christ for others is a powerful inspiration, as was Abraham's offer to sacrifice his beloved son.

Judaism has the precedent of Abraham's offer to sacrifice his beloved son, and a commandment against worshiping the equivalent of a false god.

The commandment against worshiping the equivalent of a false god works well in dealing with anything that distracts from faith and love for God.

 

Islam relies heavily on the concept of submission to a more powerful being, which implicitly incorporates elements of self-denial.

[[Category:Essays]]

[[Category:Essays]]