The Mind in Weeds & Flowers and Charlie Wilks

I recently discovered Charlie Wilks.  A young man determined to live a full life despite his blindness.  His wisdom is far beyond his age and his story is an ongoing inspiration that makes us reflect on what a champion in life is made of.  He said this...."You determine who you are - not any event or person in your life."  

This quote made me think about our minds and how we build fantasies according to how we view truth.  A whole scenario is created before we "catch" what is going on in the story of our mind's reality.  The No Spin Zone as titled in the Bill O'Reilly show has an interesting concept in separating fact from perceived truth. Using this analogy, the mind can 'spin' in twisting and distorting perceived notions. From the thoughts we think, we can end up in an emotion of anger, sorrow, frustration or even self-reproach, depending on the scene just created in thoughts.  The mind is really busy or am I the only one???    As we become aware of what the mind is doing, we can stop the spin that is going on and make it a no spin zone, where thoughts are reined in rather than running wild.  

I found these two photos that illustrate how weeds or flowers can grow in concrete - amazing when there can be just a slight entry within a crack or even enough force to push through concrete.  How like our minds - we can grow weeds or flowers and our minds will provide plenty of cracks for growth.

Charlie Wilks has used his positive attitude in thought to overcome his personal adversity in blindness.  Not only does he achieve but he spreads encouragement  to those around him. Blindness does not hinder him from the experience of living; he does not use it as a crutch to sit on the sidelines of life.  He has some great quotes that makes us all, who have sight, sit back in admiration of this young man's character.  He has grown flowers in his mind.

Do yourself a favor and watch the below video put out by ESPN that was produced in 2009 about Charlie and playing football.  It is a wonderful short documentary that is splashed with Charlie's "insight" about living.  We can learn much from Charlie - he sees far beyond the physical aspect of vision.  Since that time, he has gone on to college and is a musician.  You can visit him on Facebook and hear his music on YouTube.  Way to go Charlie!   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTrEkNlx16E

A scripture comes to mind out of Philippians 4:8...

What things are true,

what things are honest,

what things are just,

what things are pure,

what things are lovely,

what things are of good report;

if there by any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

God bless and we'll see you again at the Turn-Up Patch on Monday, June 22....