Environment is so important for me as an artist. My studio has to be clean before I can paint. Noise distracts me so much that I can’t paint. I want just the right music for where I am at in the painting process. My wife Kathy thinks it’s all a little weird and eccentric but she sees the difference in my productivity and has come to recognize how important environment is for me to be able to paint.
In life, environment is just as important. I’m not talking about a clean studio or perfect mood music. I’m talking about the environment that you take with you everywhere you go: the environment that you create in your mind and in your heart. Your actions are a result of feelings and feelings always begins with thoughts. The environment I am talking about is the environment that you create with your Life Palette paving the way for you to live as the masterpiece God has created you to be.
Here are a few steps that you need to take to create a masterpiece environment so that you can thrive in fulfilling your potential:
Set Your Mind And Heart Daily
The right environment for living as the masterpiece God created you to be begins with your thoughts. In Romans, Paul tells us that we are to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” (Romans 12:3 NIV) This is an area that you must be intentional with. What are you thinking about? Are you focused on your life vision and mission? Or are you just letting you mind think whatever thoughts may come your way today? Paul encourages us to “set” our minds on Jesus and the life He has for you:“…set your sights on the realities of heaven…Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3 NLT)
Here are 3 tips to help you “set your mind and heart”:
1. Start the night before and first thing each day.
The last thoughts before you go to sleep at night have a big impact on your sub-conscious thinking throughout the night and on your mindset when you wake up. End your day with purposeful thoughts by reading a good book, Scripture or prayer.
2. Pray throughout the day and ask God to help you.
The working of creating an environment in your mind and heart to assure you live life as a masterpiece is one that requires God’s help. The good news is He wants to help you with your mind and heart. He longs to give you the strength and power to think and feel like the masterpiece He designed you to be.
3. Spend time with others who desire to live life as a masterpiece
It is a principle that applies to every area of our lives. If you want to be a better artist you paint with artists who are better than you are. If you want to be a better business person, get with those who are better at business than you are. So, to create an environment for masterpiece living in your mind and heart get with those who are desiring to live the same way, especially those who are successfully living in these disciplines.
This verse in 1 Timothy really challenges us on this very principle when it comes to creating the right environment in your mind and heart: “Exercise daily in God — no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.” (1 Tim 4:7-8 The Message)
Next Steps:
Of the 3 tips above which one can you act on today and how will you go about it? If you have questions or feedback I would love to hear from you, simply type in your response below.