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\u201cIron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind\u201d (Leonardo da Vinci).<\/p>\n
A VIGOROUS MIND IS AN ASSET. To see why that\u2019s true, we need to understand what the word means. It comes from a Latin verb which meant \u201cto be lively,\u201d and it conveys the idea of \u201cactive strength.\u201d When we say that a person is vigorous physically, we mean that he or she is energetic and agile in the exercise of their strength, and similarly, when we speak of a person\u2019s mental vigor, we refer to the active use of their mind. A vigorous mind is a lively mind. It\u2019s one that is eager to work and inquisitive and courageous. A mind like that is an asset, and it needs to be nourished and kept active.<\/p>\n
Think with vigor.<\/em> We often get poor results from our thinking because we\u2019re so lazy about it. Not having been fed properly and exercised regularly, our minds have lost their childhood vigor. But that\u2019s a problem that can be corrected. We can start thinking more actively.<\/p>\n Speak with vigor.<\/em> Whether it\u2019s written or spoken, language often has to be used vigorously in order to be effective. Yes, there is a time and place for soft words, but I would say that our communications fail more often from being too bland than from being too vigorous.<\/p>\n Live with vigor.<\/em> I wholeheartedly agree with Justin Wilson, the Louisiana comedian and cook, who was known for saying that everybody ought to live with \u201cgreat vigorosity,\u201d and also with Emeril Lagasse, another great Louisiana cook, who always urged us to \u201cKick it up!\u201d As we pass through this world, we don\u2019t want, as somebody said, to fail to taste the fruit for lack of courage to shake the tree.<\/p>\n None of us has an infinite supply of vigor, however, and so we have to make some choices. We can\u2019t say a vigorous \u201cYes!\u201d to some things if we haven\u2019t said a definite \u201cNo!\u201d to other things. And maybe that\u2019s where a good part of vigor comes from anyway: the ability to focus and the willingness to make a choice. If we\u2019re going to follow Justin Wilson\u2019s advice and live with \u201cgreat vigorosity,\u201d we\u2019re going to have to make up our minds who we are and what we won\u2019t do.<\/p>\n \u201cMen must be decided on what they will not do, and then they are able to act with vigor in what they ought to do\u201d (Mencius).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n