You are POWERFUL
In a study conducted in 2014, by the University of Virginia, researchers found that men would rather administer electric shocks to themselves than think. (By Lindsey Cook Data Editor • July 22, 2014, at 6:04 a.m.)
“When Timothy Wilson and his team set out to study mind wandering, they thought participants would find it easy. Their job was to sit by themselves in a room and think. Easy enough, right?”
In short, researchers quickly discovered that the task would be so much harder. The participants struggled and expressed that being left to “think” for six to 15 minutes was not a great experience. Also, according to the study published in the 2014/July Science Magazine, despite multiple interventions to make the thinking period more enjoyable – including giving the participants something to help occupy them, having them write down enjoyable topics before thinking, etc., – the researchers soon discovered participants would rather do anything else but think. (By Lindsey Cook Data Editor • July 22, 2014, at 6:04 a.m.)
My point for sharing this...oftentimes we are our own enemy. There’s a scripture in the Bible that says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge...” And if you read further, it’s not because the knowledge wasn’t/isn’t available...it’s merely because they rejected knowledge. Case in point: your greatest tool in war, life, your relationships, your finances, etc., is your mind & your ability to think critically, and to think for yourself. When you stop thinking, you truly stop living purposefully.
One thing that I’ve been most appreciative for as it relates to my history and natural heritage is my natural desire and ability to think—and not to "think," without aim, but to think deeply & critically. I’ve always been a thinker...and I wholeheartedly believe it’s been a huge part of why I am the woman that I am today/the woman I am still becoming.
There’s another scripture that speaks to me—and it goes, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20 ASV
This scripture has always tugged at my heart as it clearly depicts our ability and need to ask & think! When we use our voices...when we use our mind/brain, God steps in and goes beyond our limited requests & expectations! But we have to talk! We have to think!
As we celebrate this annual day in remembrance of Dr. King, I would challenge each of you to THINK. When you think...the world should feel you ROAR! You are powerful. You are unstoppable. And your legacy will live on when you decide to THINK and make things happen! Happy MLK DAY!
Canena Adams, LLBSW, MA, SRAS
Wife | Mother | Writer | Author | Public Speaker | Social Worker | Business Owner | Nonprofit Founder & Director | Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialist | Healthy Family & Relationship Advocate | Adjunct College Prof. | PhD Student (Public & Social Policies)