Never would I have put these two books together, but I am a late-comer to both the appreciation of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and the concept of 'growth mindset.' I'm sure there are books bearing this exact title out there, but for me, Switch on Your Brain ,The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, by Dr. Caroline Leaf is a most approachable book incorporating Biblical references that support the concept of 'growth mindset,' and how our body and brain work together.
It occurred to me the approach we take to our circumstances makes all the difference - whether we see things negatively or choose to see the options and opportunity. Usually these are a part of change, something unfamiliar and from the chorus of voices in your head you'll hear someone either say, 'It'll never work,' OR 'DO IT SCARED.'
You'll hear someone either say,
'It'll never work,' OR 'DO IT SCARED.'
I love how a book that's been in your view for a few months will pipe up and talk to you, as if it's saying, 'Do you remember how cheerful Dickon was? Do you remember how ill Colin was? Do you remember how excited Mary was to run free with Dickon, while Colin was trapped inside with the curtains drawn closed?'
Well, I ran across that passage- Mary is a determined child, not willing to live indoors when there is a wild secret garden to be explored. Dickon, who is now a voice in her head, lives free and emboldened by his happy upbringing. At one point Mary thinks this clearly, that she wishes to go to Dickon, while she doesn't wish to visit Colin. Colin's mindset is darkened by his physical plight that has been exacerbated by his father's grief. Dickon and Mary literally must convince him to take his health into his own hands, and with it follows a new mindset of joy.
'I wonder if it would not do him good to go out into a garden and watch things growing. It did me good.'
Science about the brain demonstrates how when we take our thoughts captive, we can guide our thoughts, retrain the brain. It can be hard to step up out of the well worn path that we've stayed in so long, but that's where the habit training comes in handy. Developing habits that support a healthy lifestyle- mentally, physically, and spiritually- has been proven to give the boost needed to make significant desired changes.
I've got to finish The Secret Garden to find out what happens to Colin. He has been confined to his room and bed because of a bad back and associated illnesses. I think I remember accurately what happens to Colin, and that he makes a wonder-filled transformation. But, I'm keenly aware that every story doesn't have a 'happy ending.' Every wounding relationship is not healed, every loss is not reconciled just because we develop a good exercise regime or eat more veggies. That's why habits must include our mental, physical and spiritual health. If I believe ( and I do) that my body and soul belong to the Creator and are intended for His glory, then it is up to me to explore trending terms like growth mindset and positive habits if it can push me to crowd out old ways of thinking and old habits that do not serve healthy living.
This is important to remember tho- No one can make you do this . This is a job for each person to decide for themselves. And the longer we feed the unhealthy thought or action that make up our habits, the longer it will take to effectively 'crowd out,' or fill with good things. The deeper the rut of travel in the same path, the harder it is to get out of that rut. I'd rather 'Do It Scared,' than listen to the doubter. Every day is a new day, a gift. Set backs when I falter, are just a set-up for a come-back. Time for me to get moving.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1.... no time like the present. 
