A Sound Mind

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     This series of brief essays is being offered because of the conviction of the author that the Creator, in making man a rational creature, has given him the power to reform his life and the social structure of which he is a part. The potential which is so great for good, can, if misdirected, wreak havoc and destruction. The mere fact that man possesses a mind, or that he uses it, is no guarantee that he will work good. He must cultivate a sound mind and employ it in harmony with the laws of intellect and ethics. These short lessons are calculated to help all, especially the young, to cultivate those qualities of mental soundness, es-sential to our perpetuity.

     In our last article we pointed out the need of giving undistracted attention to the matter at hand, not only to understand the subject of current importance, but also to guide the mind in the forma-

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tion of stable characteristics. But the habit of inattention and mental fluctuation is not always the result of trying to do two diverse things at the same time. It may just as readily be produced by attempting to do one thing with the mind while it is perplexed with doubt that it ought to be doing another thing.

     To eliminate this condition we must understand its causes. It may issue from an impetuous approach to life. Those who do things upon the impulse of the moment are always subject to its deleterious effects, for our impulses vary and fluctuate. One may sit down to write a letter to a friend, while doubting if he should take the time to do so, when he ought to be studying his science textbook. After writing a few lines, the thought intrudes itself that he must check certain data about which he is not sure. He lays aside the pen and takes up the book, but even while reading, he is thinking he ought to finish the promised letter. By trying to make two "deadlines," one for the mail collection, and another for the class period, he may miss one, and be ill-prepared for the other. Actually, such doubts are like rust on metal. They have a corrosive effect. They eat away at the solid structure of mental strength.

     Of course, the answer to this problem lies in development of system and method, which provide for the maximum good to be derived from the time available. Industry could not exist in our modern world without what is called "time study." Accordingly, analysts are employed by various firms at high salaries to carry on such research. Each of us, as a created mechanism of God, engaged in building character, should employ self-analysis and time-study, and should modify our habits and alter our procedures to conform to our best interests. Essential in doing this is the faculty of decision.

     We have only 24 hours each day. We should mentally decide what use we can make of that time which will pay the greatest dividends now and in the future. This requires determining what is absolutely essential to be done today, what should be given priority after the essentials are accomplished, and what may be safely postponed until a future date. Having made the proper catalogue, we should concentrate on one of the essentials until it is properly disposed of, and pass on to another undistractedly. Afterwards we can give undivided attention, in succession, to other matters. Even the Eternal One began his work with purpose and proceeded with plan.

     It is essential to cultivating a sound mind that, having planned our tasks for today, we not worry about tomorrow's assignments. Trying to live tomorrow while doing your work today is but a short cut to the psychiatric ward. Look at life like an hourglass. Each morning when the glass is inverted there are hundreds of grains of sand in the upper compartment, but these can only pass through the narrow neck one at a time. The tasks of life can only be fulfilled in the same way. The apostle said, "This one thing I do." The Saviour said, "Do not worry about tomorrow. Leave tomorrow to worry about itself. One day's trouble at a time is enough" (Authentic Version).

               True worth is in being, not seeming;
               In doing, each day that goes by,
               Some little good, not in dreaming,
               Of great things to do by and by.
               For whatever men say in their blindness
               And spite of the fancies of youth,
               There's nothing so kingly as kindness,
               And nothing so royal as truth.