PATHLIGHT: State of Mind

Originally from the U.S., Annie earned her Canadian Citizenship in 2013. Annie & her Husband live in Pic River First Nation.  She works as full-time as an Adult Mental Health and Addictions Therapist at the Marathon office of North of Superior Counseling Programs. Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW has been a cinical social worker since 1979 working in mental health, family therapy, and addictions services. She is a doctoral candidate at Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON. Annie also works part-time as a consultant for LYNX, owned by her husband Herb Nabigon, MSW. Herb provides traditional Anishnabek teachings and healing workshops for both Native and non-Native organizations. Together he and Annie provide training and education to professionals on a wide range of topics blending mainstream and traditional approaches in healing. They also provide cultural safety and anti-racism training. Do you have questions re: mental health, living a good life, relationships, etc. ?Annie would love to hear them and may even include your questions in a future column (published by-monthly exclusively on OntarioNewsNorth.com) Send your comments or questions to Annie via email to Pathlight@OntarioNewsNorth.com

STATE OF MIND

I come from the United States where the political landscape is vastly different from the one we have here in Canada. The word “state” has several meanings, and when people talk of “the state” of something they are not referring to a geographical location or a political governing body. A “state” can also be a condition of something. For example: the state of my yard and garden is in disarray – its condition is not what I want it to be. It is not in a “united state”!

The state of mind is the condition of one’s thoughts. Our feelings about things and our actions in our world come from that state of mind. The things we love, or fear, or long for, or feel angry about all come from our state of mind, which is partly under our control and partly an outcome of the things in our environment that we interact with. If my back yard is a sea of mud and I go walking in it, trying to plant things, I will be unsuccessful. In the same way, if my state of mind is just like a yard full of mud dragging down my best intentions, I will not be very successful in having good feelings or good relationships, and I will need to work on improving my state of mind – on getting my thoughts united in a better state.

A lot of things in our world are a result of our state of mind. Take poverty as an example. If our heart (or soul, or spirit) is empty, poverty is our state of mind. It is in our perceptions. Poverty is a relative term, meaning that it depends on what we are comparing. Someone who has grown up in an unusual environment of wealth might feel impoverished if they lose their wealth and have to move into a one-bedroom apartment. Someone who has grown up living on the streets might feel incredibly wealthy to be able to move into a one-bedroom apartment.

If our state of mind is one of greed or fear we will hoard things for ourselves and not give generously to others. An example of greed would be the large corporation that oppresses workers with low wages and benefits, yet gives large bonuses to CEOs and large dividends to wealthy stock holders. That is a poor state of affairs in the economy, and we see evidence of that around us every day. It takes a lot of hard work to cultivate a healthy state of mind in such an environment.

If your heart is empty of love and appreciation, the whole world is impoverished. Our only true wealth is in contributing to the happiness and well-being of others. Our only true poverty is the absence of healthy relationships and good feelings. That absence occurs for many different reasons, in various ways. If you are living in an unhealthy environment it is important to look at what is creating that impoverishment, and pick up your responsibility to do something about it and move toward a better life where the good you create is not buried by the “mud” in your environment.

The grinding oppression of physical poverty can create stress, fear and grief, but if these burdens are shared they are lightened, and our hearts are enlightened in the mutual giving of love and caring to fellow sufferers. If we pull others down into our suffering in the course of sharing our woes with them, we are responsible for also striving to lift them up, thus lifting ourselves higher. Only by all of us reaching for a better life together can we overcome the poverty within us and around us.

Today I resolve to cultivate a state of mind that sees my world as full of abundance, and the world around me as full of opportunity and hope. I resolve to work for a better life for everyone, and not hoard the best only for me. I have many reasons to feel gratitude. I feel enriched when I am able to walk outdoors in my yard and work at growing plants that will bring pleasure and beauty to those who see them. When I cultivate my garden to the best of my ability I have an abundance of hope that I can make it better over time. My state of mind contributes to the outcome of good thoughts, a good life, good relationship opportunities, and a kinder, better world to live in. That’s the best state of all possible states in which to live.

Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW 
Pathlight@OntarioNewsNorth.com

ANNIE RECOMMENDS:

• The Hollow Tree by Herb Nabigon 
• EldersTeachings.blogspot.com 
• Pathlight: Journey to a Good Life archives

____________________

*Health themed columns found on OntarioNewsNorth.com provide general information about medical conditions and treatments.  The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. If you have any specific questions about any mental health or other medical matter, please consult your family physician, primary health care team or other professional healthcare provider.

Opinions and information contained in any column on  OntarioNewsNorth.com are not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor or other professional health care provider. If you feel you are suffering from a mental or physical health issue, you should seek medical attention immediately.  The information shared in this column or anywhere on OntarioNewsNorth.com does not constitute medical advice nor should any person delay seeking, disregard or discontinue medical treatment because of information contained in PATHLIGHT: Journey to a Good Life or on OntarioNewsNorth.com.

The opinions provided by contributors on OntarioNewsNorth.com do not necessarily those of OntarioNewsNorth.com its advertisers or other contributors on the site.

 

 

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Posted in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Health and Wellness, Municipal, Northern Ontario Headlines, PATHLIGHT: Journey to a Good Life, World | Comments Off on PATHLIGHT: State of Mind

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