The Tribune

By MICHELLE MILLER

THE true power of freedom is having the audacity to rule your destiny. This is the sweet spot in life.

Where you don’t just “gain” your freedom but you actually break free; literally breaking those heavy chains of pain that hold you in bondage.

It amazes me how so many supposedly free people live an enslaved style of life. Mental slavery as so clearly articulated by the great Bob Marley is still a fundamental issue for a vast number of folks.

I agree that the courage to free yourself from mental slavery is no easy feat. But despite its challenges, your mental freedom is the golden ticket to ruling your destiny. More than this, it is your platinum card to your own personal sense of security and confidence. But what does it all mean?

You cannot rule your destiny until you master your mind. Mastering your mind means you have full control over the entry gate. You know what kind of information is coming into your mind and its purpose.

This is the first step – the key if you will to ruling your destiny. You cannot rule any destiny with a mind of which you are not in control. Your destiny depends on the direction of your mind. An undirected mind will surely fall prey to the predators of life.

These predators may show up in various shapes and forms but their intentions are the same. To keep you distracted and outwardly focused. Chief amongst them is television, radio and other forms of media.

You can bet your bottom dollar that media seeks to take over your mind. Whether print, video or audio, once media gains access and control of your mind, they will have you going their way, not your way.

How does that old Bahamian song go again, “Say what ya like, do what ya like, still gat you going my way”. These lyrics speak volumes to what can happen once someone or something takes power over your mind. In a sense where your mind goes, so goes your life.

Again, unless you are directing your mind, someone or something else is. You cannot rule your destiny if your mind is held hostage elsewhere.

Imagine your life with your dreams/desires realiaed, earning the kind of money you desire and living the life you love. Can you see it? This is the result of ruling your destiny.

Nobody rules their destiny without control of their mind.

To rule is to govern, to have power over. Too many of folks find themselves overpowered by their circumstances. Whether it’s job loss, income loss, education loss, love loss, family loss and any other kind of loss, such situations may lead one to think they are born to lose, not to win.

However, I lovingly remind you that you are born to win. You are born to rule your destiny despite whatever circumstances or situation you face. You must accept this.

Rulers of their destiny are fearless. They are the governors of their life and the overseers of their minds. They are the captain of their ship. They know that no matter what storms may come they have the power to declare “peace be still” and know that the howling winds and raging seas will submit to their instructions. This faith is the power of ruling your destiny.

Jamaican reggae artist Buju Banton expresses it well in his song “Destiny”: “Though forces try to hold I down, breaking chains has become the norm, I know I must get through no matter what a gwaan.”

Similarly, you too must break free from those chains of pain holding you down from ruling your destiny.

Leader to leader make today the day that you become the governor of your own life and overseer of your mind. Start now to rule your destiny. It becomes the spring board to living the life you love.

What do you think?

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach and leadership expert. Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 429-6770, send snail mail to PO Box CB-13060 or visit www.michellemmiller.com.