Control—this two syllable word can mean a make or break situation. We either want more control or less of it, depending on the circumstance or our ego. The type of control I am going to be describing is not the control we have over each other, our jobs, or other people, but rather the control over ourselves.

Self-control/self-discipline is our ability to stay focused and mediate our indulgences. The mind can provide all we need to achieve this power, but we must exercise it! The great philosopher Plato once said, “The first and best victory is to conquer self.” The control we have over ourselves and our actions produce echoes of reactions. We often forget that we ourselves are in charge of our own lives. The problems bestowed upon us are sometimes of our own doing, but we must believe that we can change them. A positive mindset and a clear outlook on life can do wonders for not only your attitude but your entire life!

The power of a thought can generate obstacles or onset a chain reaction of change and fulfillment. We don't always realize the connection between our brain and our body, but to me, it's similar to potential and kinetic energy. The brain is full of potential energy with all of the thoughts and activity being created and bounced around. While the body's kinetic energy because it's putting the potential energy into motion. Everything we do first comes from a thought, whether we realize it or not. It's become a second nature experience, yet it's truly one of our most basic survival skills.

Some of the most successful people—successful based upon happiness, knowledge, and energy—have learned how to control their thoughts. It is a discipline and it does take practice, but anything worth having isn't usually an easy fight. Generally speaking, when we are hungry, we think about food, then usually we get it. That's a pretty simple scenario, I know, here's a more complicated one.

When I was 15 my sister had been a vegetarian for two years already. She influenced me into joining her, and I did, but not for the same reasons. She adores animals, as do I, but I don't have as much of a problem eating them; it's the inhumane treatment and factory slaughtering that makes me nauseous when I look at meat. I ended up quitting that endeavor but made it one of my goals to find meat I could eat without the added steroids, hormones, antibiotics, and disgusting treatment. Fast forward four years and I saw an ad on craigslist for a cashier position at a market. It didn't say what market but I went to the interview and quickly found it was a meat market. And the meat was exactly what I was looking for!

The core sincerity I put toward that thought had weaved itself into my future at the right time. The power of it radiated exactly what I had wanted and needed. I'm sure some may say God might have been listening or it was the universe, Buddha, Mohammed, etc. I think that we were given these incredible organs to run our bodies and the commander in chief of it all is the brain. Our heart, eyes, and ears might be Congress, while the kidneys, liver, and intestines are the Senate, and I think you get the idea. We underestimate the power of small people, animals, countries, gifts, etc.but that all originations from the same place: the way we think. So please, do not underestimate the power of a thought.