Mindset


Mindset

By Allan Olson

I guess it's been awhile since I've put a few thoughts down on anything like this - most of the time my thoughts are banging around my head like a pinball in an arcade game - until it either finds its way out or just get's stuck or lost somewhere. 

Lately I've really been working on my mindset, really it probably started back in April or May of 2021 when I read "The Energy Bus," By Jon Gordon. But beyond all of that, everything I've read or listened to in the last few weeks has come back to mindset. Where is your mindset, personally, I can tell you -mine has definitely been on the struggle bus lately. I'm not sure what all it is, the cold days, the early darkness, it doesn't matter - what matters is what I do and I work myself out of this - shall we say, "slump." 

In New Years day, I went out for a walk, feeling a little restless and a little downward in my mindset, what a great way to start the New Year. But then I remembered a recent podcast of Jon Gordon's where he talks about a daily gratitude walk. So that's what it turned into - man, I can't even count the number of ways I am blessed - my wife, my kids, my family, my friends - it really is an endless list. I really felt so much better after this. 

Also part of my plans for the new year was my fitness - I am probably in my best physical shape - at least less round, than I have been in over 20 years. But I know, I still have work to do - especially if Marcus and I are going to continue wrestling. 

Today I found myself again,  just a little frustrated, there's things I want, but I'm struggling to work out of my mindset to put those things in place. I also didn't really want to go for a walk today -  on my drive today the podcast between Jon Gordon and Patric Young (a former pro basketball player I had never heard of) this man, at the top of his game was paralyzed and is choosing "joy" he is exceeding doctor's expectations and believes that with his hard work and his faith, he will someday walk again. He even said, he doesn't know when that will be and doesn't care, but he will be ready.

So really get over yourself, I thought to myself. Still, I put my boots and snow pants on and walked out - still not really feeling like going on a walk. During my walk, I couldn't help but feeling better, the first song that came to my head was "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," - isn't that the truth, there's something about the cold crisp air and just being outside that makes one feel a closer to connection to God and the world itself. I then remembered, it was also mentioned to put on a good playlist during your walk - holy smokes, I just felt even better with my random music list playing while on my walk. 

Guess what, my mindset felt even better, what a shift. Does that mean I'm not going to struggle, no, but it just means I need to work harder on me. I have always been a glass is half empty person - worst case scenario first, thankfully my wife is the opposite, she is far more optimistic than I, she's always said, "we'll figure it out," Something that wasn't in my vocabulary much until recently. She told me that she likes me the way I am. I told her, I am working to be more a more positive person. 

My goals in this life are to be the best husband and dad I can be. If I accomplish this mission, no matter how long I have to do it, than mission accomplished in my life. However, I can't be that person if my mindset is always negative, I can't serve her or others. 

So if I tune you out, if I'm short on patience (more on that word later) feel free to say - hey knock it off, fix your mindset.

Meanwhile, I will work on being a positive me, in 2023. 

*Note* My other goal is to get back to more writing like this. I plan to go back and fill in some things from 2020, 2021 and 2022, while working on me. 

Wishing nothing but the best for all of you in 2023.



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