Keeping Your Mind Evergreen

by Monika Francisco-Ribeiro

The importance of balance & purpose

According to a short, non-botanical definition – “evergreen” simply means “always fresh and vital.” I believe that human minds weren’t supposed to deteriorate – they were meant to stay evergreen, forever.

A misplaced life purpose, or a lack thereof are two vital reasons why our minds underperform. Not knowing who we are and why we are here – we become, either intentionally or unintentionally, self-destructive.

As a teenager, completely unaware of my purpose, I got used to going through the motions. Home, school, homework, TV or TV and then homework (or no homework), etc.

How many options do you have when you’re uninspired? Well, I watched TV, a lot. I remember dull, empty feelings associated with overexposure to this popular time killer. At a young age, I remember starting to feel old and drained. I lacked mental freshness.

These days, I don’t tend to watch a lot of TV. I do, however, find myself out of balance in other areas, sometimes.

E.g. I learn online, write and share online, research and work – online. When I am (out of balance), the old hollow feelings of dullness and emptiness re-surface. Therefore, I have decided to start making changes…

Recently, I have been spending a lot more time with my sister. On one occasion, we had a passionate little chat about beavers. Yes, I know – beavers may not be the most obvious topic for a discussion.

However, we found them to be very interesting, at the time. Reportedly – Poland, at some point, “blacklisted” beavers for obstructing rivers with dams. Not knowing why they build dams – we still agreed that they must have a good reason to do so.

My point is – whatever nature does has a purpose. Mother Nature does not provide all the answers, but there’s no doubt that it speaks on God’s behalf.

It has a calming effect too. It’s a known fact that a simple walk, in a peaceful natural surrounding (not always easy to find) is good for the soul. Hence, on another occasion, my sister and I, visited a local woodland. It was a soothing experience for my overstimulated brain & a great alternative to seating in front of the TV…

Too often, we wait for something to go very wrong before beginning to address bad habits. Introducing positive changes may feel like a huge challenge, but it’s worth doing – one step at a time – if need be.

Our minds need more than digital pleasures and work related stimulus. We need people, nature and all the good, simple things that we take for granted…

One morning, I saw a little bird, with a big orange belly, seating on the fence of our garden. The bird looked calm and peaceful, well-fed too. It’s presence reminded me the following Bible verse, “Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them…” This verse says to me, “Don’t be afraid – what you need is already there!”

I’ve experienced the stress of a perceived or a genuine lack. I understand how paralyzing it may feel, but we’re more than the birds! Yet, we act like we’re less – when we stress and press… too hard.

Overwork and especially stress are recognized causes of various diseases (mental & physical). The ‘little bird’ reminders are of great value, indeed.

Of course, this isn’t to say that we should stop working or planning altogether. For balance sake, I guess, on the same day, I had another natural encounter, in the garden.

Ants! Tiny ones and big ones, with wings and without – all came out from under the ground.

I am convinced that ants have invented the ‘I’m so BUSY’phrase.  These tiny creatures keep going & going & going – they are fast, focused, and motivated.

Yet, as we know, the ant movement is purposeful and mostly selflessly devoted. They work to build their colony, prepare for tough times, do whatever needs to be done for the “community’s” sake. The Book urges to “Look at the ants…”

So… What are we busy with?

Nature helps us recognize that we need balance while we follow our purpose. It’s not enough to be balanced outside of that purpose, and it’s not enough to be purposeful, yet unbalanced.

We need an occasional pause to look at the birds and the ants (to rest, re-evaluate, etc.) There’s a time to hang out with sisters & brothers – people who positively contribute to our well-being and vice-versa.

There’s a time to hang out with nature. You never know what you might hear it say –even if there’s absolute silence out there. We need silence too…

Having said all of the above, it is impossible to know one’s full purpose without knowing the Creator. Nature has no trouble being nature because it knows and follows His Voice. We can learn so much from nature.

I believe that the human mind was meant to be evergreen, forever… What do you believe?

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About The Author

Monika Ribeiro

Monika Beata Monika Beata Francisco-RibeiroFrancisco-Ribeiro is a writer and a poet. Monika was born and raised in Poland (born to Nigerian father and Polish mother). She is currently a resident of London married to a Ghanaian. She continues to enjoy the exposure to many different cultural expressions all of which influence who she is, how she thinks and what she writes about.
In a hope of being able to choose only the best from all of the above influences, she relies on the Christian faith and philosophy – the very ones she trusts to bring order into her mind and distinction into her art.
Asked why she writes Monika answers, “I have to and love to…”

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