Your Mind is an Excellent Servant, but a Terrible Master - David Foster Wallace

Your Mind is an Excellent Servant, but a Terrible Master.

This is a quote from David Foster Wallace, a brilliant writer and thinker who sadly took his own life in 2008. He gave a commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005, where he shared his insights on how to live a meaningful and compassionate life. You can watch the full speech here https://youtu.be/OsAd4HGJS4o

The main idea of his speech is that we have the power to choose how we perceive and react to the world around us. We can either be enslaved by our default setting, which is to be self-centered, judgmental, and bored, or we can be aware of our thoughts and feelings, and choose to see things differently. He says:

"Think of the old cliché about 'the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master'. This, like many clichés, so lame and unexciting on the surface, actually expresses a great and terrible truth. It is not the least bit coincidental that adults who commit suicide with firearms almost always shoot themselves in: the head. They shoot the terrible master."

This quote really resonates with me because I know how hard it is to deal with negative thoughts and emotions. As a writer, I use humor as a way to cope with the challenges and absurdities of life. But humor alone is not enough.

Sometimes I need to remind myself that I have the ability to change my perspective and attitude. I can choose to be grateful for what I have, to be kind to others, and to be curious about the world.

That's why I want to share with you some of the strategies that help me keep my mind as an excellent servant, but not a terrible master. Here they are:

- Write it down. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or stressed out by something, I write it down in a journal or a notebook. Writing helps me process my thoughts and feelings, and also gives me a sense of control and clarity. It also helps me come up with ideas for jokes or stories.

- Meditate. Meditation is a practice that helps me calm my mind and focus on the present moment. It also helps me develop awareness of my thoughts and emotions, and learn how to let them go without judging them. I use an app called Headspace that guides me through different types of meditation.

- Exercise. Exercise is another way to release stress and improve my mood. It also helps me stay healthy and fit. I like to do yoga, Pilates, or run on the treadmill. Sometimes I listen to music or podcasts while I exercise.

- Read. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. It helps me escape from reality and immerse myself in different worlds and stories. It also helps me learn new things and expand my vocabulary. I like to read fiction, non-fiction, biographies, essays, and anything that sparks my interest.

- Laugh. Laughing is the best medicine for anything. It helps me relax and have fun. It also helps me bond with other people who share my sense of humor. I like to watch comedy shows or movies, listen to funny podcasts or audiobooks, or hang out with my friends and family who make me laugh.

These are some of the things that help me keep my mind as an excellent servant, but not a terrible master. Of course, everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you. That's why I want to hear from you.

What are some of the strategies that help you cope with your thoughts and emotions? How do you choose to see things differently? How do you make your mind an excellent servant, but not a terrible master?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I would love to hear from you and learn from your experiences.

Thank you for reading this blog post and for being part of this community. I hope you found it helpful and entertaining.

Until next time,

Tiffany.

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