The human mind is the centre that coordinates both objective and subjective activities of a normal human being. The mind becomes the centre of attraction to the extent that he who controls the mind, ultimately controls the man. Psychologist tells us that ten thousand ideas flow into the minds of every average human being daily, among these ideas, majority are negative. The proper management of the negative thought form determines whether the individual is qualified to be addressed as a normal human being which however qualifies the person to be a leader or a good follower. It is obvious that every manifested action is but a product of thought. Man essentially is a thinking being and by virtue of the function of his subconscious mind which responds to the mental picture or thought changes can be made.
Today, the psychological law of belief is the secret operating principle in all the religions of the world. It is the hidden reason for religious psychological truth. The Buddhist, the Christian, the Muslim and the Jew may all get the answers to their prayers, in spite of the enormous differences among their stated beliefs. How can this be? It is not because of the particular creed, religion, affiliation, ritual, ceremony, formula, liturgy, incantation, sacrifices, or offerings, but solely because of belief or mental acceptance and receptivity about that for which they pray.
The law of life is the law of belief. Belief can be summed up briefly as a thought in your mind. As a person thinks feels and believes, so is the condition of his (life) mind, body, and circumstances. A technique or methodology based on an understanding of what a person is doing and why he does it will help to bring about a subconscious embodiment of all the good things of life.
It was in connection to the above that made William James to conclude thus, โThe greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mindโ. Yes, we all desire happiness, security, peace of mind and good health. How many of us achieve all these? It was this situation that made Professor James M. Christian to say, โI know that if I change my mental pattern and redirect my emotional life, my heart condition will improve. The problem is that I donโt have the technique, process or modus-operandi. My mind wanders back and forth on my many problems, and I feel frustrated, unhappy and defeatedโ.
I make bold to say that Professor James is not alone in this deep confusion and frustration many โgreat menโ have found themselves in the same predicament and because they do not know the way out, they end up antagonizing and humiliating others. If by any mistake such men find themselves in any higher leadership position, they end up leading with a frustrated, defeated and demented mentality.
Like Sam Ewing would say, โNothing is so embarrassing as watching (some Governors) someone do something that you said couldnโt be doneโ. It is obvious and glaring to almost every one of us that the some states chief executives are not the needed Messiahs as their methods of leadership are bereft of signs leading to same. There is no doubt that some of our governors and political leaders have failed in terms of good governance. So many Nigerians are constantly crying and calling on God to send a true redeemer because if things continue this way, very soon we shall all be overtaken by lawlessness. God forbid!
Opposition however is the true beauty of democracy. Truth is very conspicuous. Like Anthony de Mello would say, โA lost gold coin is found by means of a penny candle, the deepest truth is found by means of a simple story.โ We should take everything happening in this country very serious as good patriots. Professor Chinua Achebe says, โWho is a patriot? He is a person who loves his country. He is not a person who says he loves his country. He is not even a person who shouts or swears or recites or sings his love of his country. He is one who cares deeply about the happiness and well-being of his country and its entire people.โ In addition to the above, a good leader must be a good patriot and must not function as a mediocre that tintinnabulates about nothing.
George Jean says, โNo man can think clearly when his fists are clenchedโ. My friend was unable to hide his worries behind an air of insouciance thus he decided to take a long walk as Jacqueline Schiff would say; โThe best remedy for a short temper is a long walkโ. Anger is very destructive and it however devastates a person. This inform why Socrates concludes, โvirtue is equated with knowledge and vice with ignoranceโ.
This negative emotional expression called anger can degenerate a person. Psychologists believe that emotional state is determined by the quality and intensity of the individualโs actual need and by his assessment of the possibility of its satisfaction. This view of the nature and origin of emotions came to be known as the information theory of emotions. Whether an individual is aware of it or not, he compares the information about what is required to satisfy his need with what is available to him at the moment the need arises. If the subjective possibility of the satisfaction of the need is high, the individual experiences positive feelings. Negative emotions result from the subjectโs more or less clear awareness of the impossibility (real or imaginary) to satisfy his need or of a decrease of his chances to satisfy it as compared with his earlier expectations.
Emotion signals a favourable or unfavourable turn of events, the degree of determinacy of the subjectโs position in the system of his object-oriented and interpersonal relations, thereby providing guidelines for his behaviors in the conditions of communication and activity. Feelings according to psychologist represent one of the specific forms of the reflection of reality. In contrast with cognitive processes which reflect objects and phenomena of reality, feelings reflect the relations between the subject with his specific needs and the objectives or phenomena of reality which he cognizes or changes.
Specific feelings arising from manโs ability or inability to satisfy his needs take different forms: emotions, affects, moods, stress states and feelings proper. The terms โemotionโ and โfeelingโ are often used as synonyms. In a more narrow sense, emotion may be defined as a direct time-related experience of some more permanent feelings in the forms of emotions, affects, moods and stresses is generally accompanied by more or less overt signs. These include facial expressive movements (mimicry) gestures, postures, intonation, dilation or contraction of pupils. At this point however we may distinguish the following basic emotional states, each having its own gamut of psychological characteristics and external manifestations. They are interest, Joy, Surprise, rage, fear, aversion, suffering, contempt, and shame to mention a few.
Among the following aversion is one of the negative emotional state evoked by objects, people, circumstances, etc, the contact with which (physical interaction, communication, etc) runs counter to the objectโs ideological, ethical and aesthetic principles and steps. In interpersonal relations aversion combined with anger may motivate aggressive behavior, in which aggression is stimulated by anger and aversion by the wish to โget rid of somebody or somethingโ. This can make anyone react negatively it is part of human nature.
My approach to it is very simple. Is any chief executive a divine being? Never! Is he not a normal natural human being who is entitled to getting angry? Of course he is. Does becoming a Governor or a president stops one from getting angry? The answer is no. For any Nigerian to react in anger this period something is responsible. The late Pope John Paul II attempted an answer to the above question when he said, โOur political productivity has always been epileptic, most probably because our administrative machinery had been exceedingly faultyโ. It is obvious today that anger has caused humanity a lot of things; it was this that made Plutarch to conclude thus, โHe can never speak well, who knows not how to hold his peaceโ yes, any leader who strikes anyhow can even strike his wife with a flower. Any leader whose conscience is sealed with hot iron who also exhibit anger on his subjects is not qualified to be called a leader. Albert Einstein states, โReal human progress depends upon a good conscienceโ while Mahatma Gandhi is of the view that, โin matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no placeโ. The Reformer infers โa brave man risk his life, but not his conscienceโ.
It is very hazardous and dishonourable for a leader to act contrary to the dictates of conscience. Shakespeare concludes, โWhat is a stronger breastplate than a heart unstainedโ. I am however propelled to join the Greek elder states man Socrates to pray thus, โI pray thee o God that I may be beautiful within.โ
Credit:The Sun