Choose Your Mindset

Every morning I share a "Daily Message" through a text service. It began as something I did just for my team of student ambassadors that I manage at Scripps College of Communication. However, it has been shared with others and now several people are signed up to receive the texts (if you'd like to sign up, feel free... just send a text to 81010 and type the message: @scripps18).

This morning I sent the following message:

Some people go to college to "find themselves." If I may, my opinion is that's a load of crap and a complete waste of time. Life is not about FINDING yourself. It's about deciding who you want to be and CREATING yourself. Take control of a few things in your life. Make it happen.

This thought sent my mind into turbo-drive, and so I ended up elaborating a little more with them on the subject. Since part of my role with these students is unavoidably a mentorship role, I took the opportunity to be a little more transparent with them on where I stand regarding this phenomenon of needing to "find yourself." Here's what I said...

I understand and I can sympathize with some (temporary) feelings of being lost, or confused, or wondering about who you might be or what you might become, etc... that's not what I am referring to when I say it's a load of crap. Most of us do have those kinds of moments, and sometimes they even last for a season. What I am referring to, and what I cannot condone is this perpetual "wandering" through adolescence and – sadly for many – even through adult life. It has got to stop at some point. The season needs to change, and we have more control over that change than we realize. I don't care what anyone's circumstance is, we always have control of our own mindset. ALWAYS. No one can choose our attitude and mindset for us.

Even in the midst of the most horrific sorts of evil this world has ever seen, such as slavery or Jewish concentration camps, there have been brave, courageous, wise men and women who recognized this truth and chose a better mindset. One of those men, Viktor Frankl, thankfully wrote a book about his experience. It's titled, "Man's Search for Meaning" and it should be required reading for every college freshman. Check that... required for every high school senior. Check that... required for every HUMAN.

Too many of us want to put life on autopilot and then use the excuse, "I just need to find myself." No! Wandering around looking for yourself in this world is way too dangerous. There is nothing in this world that will shape you into something meaningful. The world can't do that. But YOU can. More importantly, I will add, with God's help and His gracious hand guiding you through, TOGETHER you can.

If you've been stuck for too long in an "I'm finding myself" mindset, snap out of it! Relinquishing control of your life to an autopilot/find-yourself mentality is going to get you absolutely nowhere in this world. Your life belongs to YOU. Stop blaming others. Stop blaming your circumstances. Stop making excuses and defending the "way you feel." In fact, let's stop being people that are so driven and influenced by our feelings in the first place. God knows, in this world today we need fewer people who are defined by their emotions and more people who are defined by wisdom and carefully thought out choices.

The "find-yourself" mentality sucks the energy and vitality out of the world, and too many are in that ditch... in fact, it's no longer a ditch, but a canyon! Climb out. It's never too late. You have what it takes! CHOOSE to MAKE it happen.

As always, share if you'd like... if you think it will help to make a difference in someone's life. Love you, friends!