This week’s assignment was reading Emmet Fox’s “The Seven Day Mental Diet” and implementing it for one week. The previous two weeks were no opinion weeks which were precursors for this assignment.

Reading Og Mandino’s Scroll II and greeting the day with love in my heart and reading Dale Wimbrow’s “The Gal In the Glass” helped me prepare for this assignment. When hubby watched news reports or opinion pieces I often left the room so I was not exposed to the negativity. I know from experience that one negative thought can weaken a body while one positive thought strengthens it.

On Tuesday night and Wednesday morning I had several minor medical mishaps. Normally when this happens I’m full of anxiety, self loathing, depression, etc. However, with Mandino’s mantra “I greet the day with love in my heart” I was calm and organized and, with hubby’s help, the situation was rectified.

However, on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon I talked to my dad. He didn’t sound okay. Usually my dad is talkative and loud. These past two times he was quiet and struggled to hear and understand anything I said.

He was in the hospital last week for irritation in his stomach lining and hadn’t eaten for several days. I saw him last Friday and he seemed to be okay. This time, however, I knew something was very wrong.

I contacted my stepmom, who lives in a different country, and she told me to visit my dad and cook him a Filipino dish. Long story short, I visited my dad and he was tired and weak. I knew it was futile to take him to the hospital so instead I made him soup and teas, which he drank, and listened to his often incoherent whispers.

This morning I was stressed out and my mind was flooded with worst case scenarios about my Dad. I knew I would need a few days before I could attempt Fox’s Seven Day Mental Diet again. To calm my mind, I used the Tapping Technique and told myself that what was happening was out of my control but would work out alright.

I repeated “I greet today with love in my heart” and felt the heartache slowly lift from my heart and mind. I read Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “What is Success?” and Philippians 4:8 which added to my peace of mind.

Fox warns about difficulties being stirred up when this mental diet is initiated but he offers encouragement.

“It seems as though everything begins to go wrong at once. This may be disconcerting, but it is really a good sign. It means that things are moving; and is not that the very object we have in view? Suppose your whole world seems to rock on its foundations. Hold on steadily, let it rock, and when the rocking is over, the picture will have reassembled itself into something much nearer to your heart’s desire.”

The 7-Day Mental Diet, Emmet Fox, page 8

I don’t know what the next few days hold, but I am determined to embrace positivity in my life and re-initiate Fox’s Seven Day Mental Health Diet in a few days. Healthy mental health will be my super power!