Willpower

The word Willpower brings a whole stack of attitudes, stresses and emotions.  I mean, really, what runs through your mind when you hear that word?  Willpower...do I have enough?...do I have the courage?...do I really care?...will it be hard and cause me discomfort or pain?...and so on. 

Whether we are using that word to spur ourselves forward or to change an integral part of our life or to stop whatever needs stopping, we cringe at the demand that the very word implicates.  It is sooooo much easier to point a finger at others and click our tongues and shake our head and thank the good Lord that we whatever whatever.  But...can we pull together the willpower that we, personally, need to accomplish that one thing that looms ahead? 

Almost 13 years ago I stopped smoking cigarettes for the rest of my life and been very proud of that accomplishment ever since.  That experience taught me that each of us can do what we need to do BUT the decision has to be made absolutely.  And, even when we know this and tell ourselves we need to make that decision it is mind boggling how hard it can be to come to that conclusion.



A couple of years ago I watched Dr. Daniel Amen on PBS give a presentation on his book Magnificent Mind at Any Age.  It was enlightening and I took notes.  Dr. Amen has a five point plan for willpower that I want to share with you and that is fairly self-explanatory.
1. Keep your blood sugar elevated to normal or slightly above normal.
2. Always get enough sleep - approx. 7 hrs. a night and a short midday nap is okay.
3. Clearly state your goals on paper and ask yourself daily if the goal is met.
4. Practice accepting willpower and rejecting options.
5. Balance brain chemistry, i.e. nutritional foods, water and juices, increase serotonin, fresh air, etc.

Now, that may seem easy but I want you to really look at 3. and 4..  Those are the items that will force you to really look at yourself and think about where you are and where you want to be.  My personal struggles make me face these questions and challenges me to proceed with the knowledge that God is by my side and the battle is worth fighting.