“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four
sharpening the axe.”
{Abraham Lincoln}
Those who refuse to acknowledge, or either, who don’t see the necessity to sharpen themselves on a regular basis are likely to be consumed by the ever-changing tides of life.
They pay very little attention to the signs life deliver to them, ignore what’s blatantly staring them in the face, and will usually end up paying dearly for it in the end.
Unfortunately, I used to be one of them; I was forever finding myself being tossed about by a typhoon of emotions, whenever one of life’s situations caught me unprepared or mentally disconnected with reality.
In this part of the series, I will be sharing three critical guidelines that have proven to be most effective for me on this journey of mastering life. Each of them was guidelines I had to learn from extremely painful lessons that could have been avoided had I taken the necessary steps and time to sharpen myself.
Before I share these critical tips however, let me share with you a personal experience that rendered me with one of these invaluable keys of wisdom.
Vulnerable Bridges Burned
About two years ago, I received a call, from an individual I really admired and trusted. I was asked to do something that didn’t sit quite well within me, I politely declined, and thought it was over.
Approximately two months later, and consequently two days after my mother’s funeral, I received another call, (who had close ties with the first call) where I was accused of doing something I hadn’t done. We exchanged a few UN-pleasantries, which signaled to me that the relationship was over, as soon as the call would end.
I then assumed that the first caller would step up to defend my character. We had had a bit more history together, so I just knew they were going to stand up for me and be the voice of reasoning.
I was sadly mistaken.
Not only did they not speak up on my behalf, but they would also join the side of my accuser. I was crushed and livid. My word didn’t mean much to either of them.
My mind immediately ran back to that initial first call, and I remembered that my intuition had set off several inner alarms that something wasn’t quite right. While it has never been confirmed, it felt like they had conspired against me, and I had already been appointed to be their sitting duck.
Master Life Lesson: My point is this, in being a master of one’s life, you must be conscious of protecting your character at all cost and having a heightened intuitiveness by studying to show thyself who you really are.
Focus on Training Your Focus
If you cannot master your focus, you will not master yourself. (Tweet this.)
The first guidelines will prepare you for the challenges you will have to face, either, today or tomorrow – the point here is always to be prepared for what’s to come.
You are to train yourself to use the past only for the lessons it has to offer you.
It will be your responsibility to know what you must do in any given situation. Never rely on anyone to teach you what you may have to teach to yourself. Listen intently to your intuition. It is constantly telling you where to apply yourself and your focus.
The trap that many have fallen into is thinking they are locked into an environment that is no longer serving their best interest.
An environment is not a prison, you are free to leave it whenever you so choose.
Even if, leaving it is impossible, there can changes an individual can take to ensure they aren’t being influenced negatively by their environment. If the environment you’re in is keeping you from experiencing growth (physically, mentally, or spiritually), remove yourself (even if it’s only mentally) and expand your territory, immediately.
This will require an individual’s focused attention on one’s “circle of trust” at all times.
Be an Influence, Not Influenced
Masters lead and influence others. They are lead only by Forces Higher than themselves. (Tweet this.)
The second guideline is meant to steer you clear of the dangers you consciously notice, as well as, unseen dangers.
In part one; we discovered that the seeker of mastery ultimately becomes devotes their lives, gifts, and talents to serving others. They feel an inner conviction to give wholly of themselves what they believe has been divinely given to them by a Higher Power or Source of Power. Many masters throughout history believe they have received a Higher Calling, or have been given Meaning in Life or Deeper Purpose.
Masters aren’t easily persuaded by the crowd. They aren’t driven by the masses or followers. They have learned to have devotion to only their craft or purpose in life. They don’t follow anyone else’s rules, plans, or agendas for their lives.
Self-mastery means an individual has made new rules for their lives. They are constantly improving upon their plans, and using their experiences to revitalize their agenda, by doing things better than they’ve been done in the past.
They are trailblazers. They don’t follow the paths of others. They create their own path, and stay loyal to it.
Resources – Use Them, or Lose Them
One’s resources are unlimited and should be used masterfully to blaze your unique path to mastery. (Tweet this.)
The final guideline I’d like to leave you with is about what to take into consideration about the sharpening part of the process – your resources. What are your resources?
Resources are anything applicable that can potentially move you forward on your journey.
Here is another vehicle to push and individual towards mastery that could go overlooked and seen instead as an obstacle.
Initially, you must come to see everything and everyone around you as a potential resource. The journey towards mastery is filled with uncertainty. As I mention before, mindfulness is the cornerstone of mastery. With intention directed awareness, you will be able to be more attentively to the intuitive nudges that inform you from deep within, directing you on what you should use, where you should go, who you should connect with, what you should write, and so on.
The greatest resource you have however is yourself. You’ve been equipped with unique qualities that only you can bring to the world, qualities that no one else can supply but you.
Use all your resources wisely.
In conclusion, remember this, each of our paths are different and unique. What has worked for me, may not necessarily work for you. Train yourself to use your pain, your past, and other experiences as your greatest lessons. Do this, and I believe you will be well on your way to self-mastery.
Over to you,
What are your contributions about the topic of sharpening yourself? Please share your thoughts, insights, or any personal experiences you might have in the section provided below. You never know if what you have to contribute will help someone else on their journey.
Thank you in advance.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
My friend Deone, you’ve so very correctly emphasized on sharpening ourselves, and I’d say it should be on a daily basis. Most important is the taming of the mind, so even if it is in a typhoon of emotions, it sits still. Mindfulness is a great tool that helps you anchor yourself.
I try to observe each moment as it is happening without associating with it, but I fail many a times. What happens is that you and your thoughts drift with the moment, get involved into the affairs and forget what you were doing. As soon as you realize this, get on again with the task and practice mindfulness again. The aim is to keep doing this exercise till you’re practicing mindfulness without any breaks. I guess you do not need any other tool to sharpen yourself – it’s the multi-purpose Swiss knife for you, except for a few understandings that you’ve beautifully explained.
I agree with all of your guidelines. They can be interpreted differently but stand to mean the same. I agree with you that it is very important to remove yourself from an environment that stops you from growing. If you’ve a purpose, it’ll act as the force to have the courage to make your own path.
I too believe that everything, everybody, and every moment is a resource. And that behind every event there is a hidden meaning that is good for you. Ancient great Indian sages have said that if you want to understand the universe, plunge inside – you need no other resource. You say the same words, my friend. Enjoyed your words of wisdom, and waiting for more to come… Thanks so much. 
Harleena Singh recently posted this awesomeness..Why Do We Sleep – A Lesson to Learn
You have been such a blessing to me on this journey, Harleena. I tell you, I look forward to reading your thoughts on each post; especially the ones where mindfulness and meditating is being discussed. This one is no different. You filled it so much wisdom that I was sharpened and served with several AHA moments in reading it.
You’re absolutely right, the sharpening part of the process is definitely one that should occur on a daily basis. I have never been one that was competitive in nature, but in becoming more mindful, I compete to become better than I was the day before. My goal is to (as you so well put it) tame more and more of my mind each and every day. Like you, I’m a lot better than I used to be, but I also realize I have quite a ways to go. I am in what Robert Greene in his book “Mastery” calls the apprenticeship. I am learning so much from people like you who have been practicing mindfulness a little more than I have been practicing it. It is transforming me in such a way that every day I feel as though I have become someone other than who I am. It has been quite liberating, as I’m sure you can image.
You make so many points in what you’ve said about disassociating ourselves from what’s taking place in the moment. It’s far more easier to react to the situations than it is to observe them. I was bought up in an environment where reacting to situations (mostly when the “moment” had passed) was normal, and to not react meant a sign of weakness. However, I have since learned that not reacting is a form of inner strength in itself. I loved how you put it, “The aim is to keep doing this exercise till you’re practicing mindfulness without any breaks. I guess you do not need any other tool to sharpen yourself – it’s the multi-purpose Swiss knife for you, except for a few understandings that you’ve beautifully explained.” The practice of mindfulness is the multi-purpose Swiss knife… that’s genius! Loved that!
More and more I am understanding that nothing has set meanings as much as we give them, it’s all about our interpretations and the judgments we place on them.
At one point, right before I started my first blog, I was so angry at how things were occurring around my mother’s passing away. I couldn’t see then what was occurring within me, or that I was being guided to notice my inner being and inner state. I wanted to pass the blame over to someone or something else. There are still times I listen to the ego voice and allow it to occur, but I am a lot more conscious of it happening and able to get back to being more mindful, a lot more quickly. I attribute it all to the sharpening that occurs to me on a daily basis. I have very little need for “the drama” that I used to need like the breath I breathe. I’ve learned to use my resources. I would love to one day have the opportunity to visit the Western culture, to learn more of the practice. If you know of any websites or books to recommend to me, I’d be ever so grateful to you, if you could email them to me.
So glad enjoyed the read, beloved. It means a lot to me, as I said before. Thank you. Blessing to you always.
Oh wow I promise you Deone–every single time I read a new article here, it is **always** very timely for me and where I am in the moment! With this one, it was like the Universe used you to speak directly to me!! Some sentences I had to re-read several times–just because I *really* needed them to sink in! Very profound and (as always) excellent post Deone — and thank you!!
MELISASource recently posted this awesomeness..The Quest For Comfort And Family Fashion With Wrangler Jeans #CBias
I am thrilled that the post resonated with you so deeply, Makeba! Your thoughts on this is immensely rewarding and encouraging to read. I owe you the thanks beloved. You have made me an extremely happy man today.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..The “#MasterLife” Self-Mastery Series – Finale: Mastering Gratitude
Hi Deone
A great post. Our journey can be an interesting, yet troubling one at times. You are right, if we stay in tune to what we feel we can avoid some of the hardships. But as in your encounter it is not always possible to avoid conflict with others. Do you also wonder why you must go through the negative people in your life? I have had to do a lot of soul searching over the past few years and realize my part in problems and then again not all was anything I could change. Although how we treat it becomes who we are.
Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted this awesomeness..The Healing Power of Forgiveness
Hi Mary,
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you for sharing your wisdom on this part of the series, as well.
Like you, I too have had to do a lot of inward work on myself over the last few years. It is one of the most challenging, but also most rewarding experience one could choose to embark upon, isn’t it. One thing is for sure, we definitely need the hardships, pain, loss, and struggle we meet along the way. Otherwise, we wouldn’t know how to do better, or how to become better individuals.
As far as negative people are concerned, I have begun to use their actions as reflective tools, where I use them to ensure I am not practicing similar behaviors. So in a sense, even they have a purpose.
As you said, how we treat problems in our lives ultimately affect who we are, as well as who we are becoming. With this knowledge, we can change how we face issues and those who bring issues into our lives.
There’s a great deal to consider in your comment to the post, Mary. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your insights with here with us. Blessings.