I don’t like the words, “control” or “program.” 

When it comes to the topic of the incessant chatter that whirls around inside my head, I am a much bigger fan of the word “influence.” As in, “How can I exert a little more INFLUENCE over my daily self-talk?” Or “What would happen if I could INFLUENCE my brain to engage in more regular prayer or godly meditation?”

My morning walks through the neighborhood certainly help. And now, since Patrick the dog has decided to stay home instead of going walking with me, I am free to pray, meditate, reflect, or chant to my heart’s content instead of worrying about pulling him away from every bunny, squirrel, or interesting smell he encounters.

Memorized passages of scripture are good. Maybe starting off with a little Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” perhaps followed by a little something from Isaiah like, “… do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10), or “… those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). 

Sometimes I go with the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, a prayer John Wesley used to lead his congregations in praying every New Year as they re-committed themselves to surrendering their wills to God’s Will. Or then there is the breath prayer known alternatively as either the Jesus Prayer, or the Prayer of the Starrets. In this simple two-line prayer, one quietly says the words, “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God…” on the inhale, and then, “… have mercy on me, a sinner” as you exhale. 

But today? 

Today I am getting ready to sing in a show with the Loveland Choral Society. For four shows in early May, we will be singing and dancing on the stage of the Rialto Theater in downtown Loveland, Colorado in a show called, “Denim and Diamonds.” That means I currently have copies of sheet music for 27 different songs that must be committed completely to memory in the next couple of weeks.

And so my internal dialogue lately consists of lines from Walkin’ in Memphis (“I saw the ghost of Elvis… on Union Avenue…”), or Lourde’s 2014 hit Royals (“Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece, jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash…”), or even the more classic and timeless, Puttin’ On the Ritz (“… Have you seen the well-to-do? Strolling down Park Avenue?”) and many, many others. 

PROMOTIONAL SIDE NOTE: If you are anywhere near the area, you should use the link above to buy your tickets. And HURRY! They are going fast!

Don’t get me wrong. I love singing. I love the community, the camaraderie, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with being part of a production like this.

But I have come to a point in life where I realize there is not as much storage space up there inside the ol’ brainpan as there once was. Putting new stuff in sometimes means taking some old stuff out. 

So maybe instead of being random or indiscriminate about my mental housecleaning, I can actually CHOOSE what stays and what goes! For example…

• How about dumping those ancient resentments that lurk over there in that corner? BOOM! Gone!
• Why not whiskbroom out those fears that have haunted me since childhood? Heave ho!
• While we are at it, let’s take those ancient prejudices out to the curb and burn them, just like we used to do with piles of leaves long ago.
• And Ooooo! LOOK! What about all those icky impure thoughts stacked up over in that corner? Let’s bag those up and get them right on OUT of here.

Wow! This is fun! I’m on a roll! I never stopped to realize how much useless, counterproductive, and downright MESSY stuff is really lurking there in my personal attic. Now I’ve got plenty of space left for song lyrics ANDprayers!

Ah… If only it were that easy. 

As you might imagine, this “cleaning” project is something I have been working on for most of my adult life. And I suspect, will still be working on until the day I breathe my last. 

But with God’s grace and a little help from my friends, the piles will hopefully get smaller and smaller every day.

Abundant blessings;