Essay:Quantifying Mental Strength
Our society thrives on our physical fitness and mental fitness. To help us improve our physical fitness, we quantify our physical strength, noting how fast one can run, how long one can jog, how far one can throw a ball, and how much weight one can lift. The approach of aerobics to physical fitness generally depends on quantifying the aerobic aspect of the exercise. We quantify physical fitness, and then use the quantified targets in order to improve.
Mental strength is far more important than physical strength. It is long overdue to quantify -- and improve -- mental strength:
- Do you frequently have problems with anxiety? Can you reduce the occurrences or intensity?
- 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"?
- 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?
- Do you have unexplained difficulties handling social situations?
- 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?
- 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?
One can score himself, and use the score and the tips below to improve.
Approaches to Improving Mental Strength
In public school, a primary approach to mental weakness is to prescribe medication,[1] and that is the approach taken by many adults also. But there are 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. The personal sacrifice by Jesus Christ for others is a powerful inspiration, as was Abraham's offer to sacrifice his beloved son.
The commandment against worshiping the equivalent of a false god works well in dealing with anything that distracts from faith and love for God.