Are You Using Your Mind for Good or Not So Good?
The other day, I was putting together a photo album from our last trip to Alaska. You know, the kind of album you put on the coffee table and pretend you’ll flip through regularly but, in reality, will mainly collect dust until nostalgia—or a grandkid—demands a peek inside. As I carefully selected each photo, I realized something: every picture was a highlight. The laughter, the breathtaking landscapes, the good times. It was a deliberate process of choosing what to remember and what to preserve.
And then it hit me: What if we all did this with our minds?
Sydney Banks once said, “We have one mind being used two different ways.” In other words, our mind is a tool; like any tool, how we use it makes all the difference.
Most of us, myself included at times, seem to use our minds in the exact opposite way of my photo album project. Instead of curating an album of joy, we build a mental scrapbook of grievances, regrets, and disasters—each one carefully cataloged for quick access. We keep track of every mistake, every slight, every moment of embarrassment as if one day we’ll need to reference them to avoid making the same misstep. And yet, in doing so, we aren’t protecting ourselves. We’re just reliving the very things we wish to escape.
But here’s the good news: You don’t have to do that.
The Three Principles point us toward a different way of using the mind—one that is creative, expansive, and free. Instead of using our minds as a security system, constantly scanning for threats, what if we used them as an artist’s canvas? Instead of building a shrine to past missteps, what if we treated our thoughts like clouds—coming and going without needing to chase or control them?
How to Stop Scrapbooking Doom and Gloom
- Notice What You’re Archiving – Pay attention to what you keep replaying. If you find yourself mentally collecting grievances like baseball cards, ask yourself: “Do I really need this?”
- Question the Default Setting – Just because a thought shows up doesn’t mean you have to frame it and hang it on the wall of your mind. If it’s not useful, let it pass.
- Remember That Thoughts Are Temporary – Like the changing sky, your thoughts are always moving. The only ones that stick around are the ones you hold onto.
- Choose to Create Instead of React – If you had the choice (and you do), wouldn’t you rather spend your mental energy imagining new possibilities rather than reinforcing old fears?
At the end of the day, our minds are constantly in motion. The question isn’t whether we’re thinking; it’s how we’re thinking. Are we using our minds for good—creating, enjoying, expanding? Or are we using them against ourselves—ruminating, fearing, restricting?
One leads to freedom. The other is a self-imposed prison.
I know which one I’d rather choose.
How about you?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to chat about this, or drop me a word or two in the comment section about your experience. You can also email me anytime.
Much Love,
Here are a couple of videos for some inspiration:
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