One thing I have to explain frequently is the the fact that our mindsets are always present. Whether we are consciously using them or not, our every thought, inclination, and action are directed by mindset.
It is the conscious, intentional use of the 7 Elements of Personal Choice that make mindset the indispensable tool of true success. Engaging only a few can provide certain measures of success, but it will all crash eventually. Take this week’s poster boy for an unconscious use of mindset and missing elements, Charlie Sheen. 
Haven’t we seen this episode before? Charlie, current star of the hit sitcom, Two and a half men, has repeatedly gone off the deep end for no particular reason. He doesn’t struggle with drugs, alcohol, and sex… he embraces them completely and has shown an ability to excel!
This particular incident isn’t that surprising. Drugs, booze, and porn stars on a week-long bender that landed him in the hospital. Of course, there’s the obligatory admission into an undisclosed rehab facility, which is apparently like putting a bandage on a compound fracture. It doesn’t work.
Charlie and countless other stars have played this tune forever. They don’t need detox and a firm talking to. They need to find what is missing from their mindset and engage it with all their heart.
(disclaimer) I don’t know Charlie Sheen. I don’t claim to know exactly what has gone on in his life or exactly what could put him on the right track. But I can pull some serious lessons from him to help all of us, and him if wanted it.
Charlie is missing three of the Elements in an obvious way. Purpose, Gratitude, and Forgiveness. I would say he lacks Vision, but I don’t think that’s accurate. His vision for his life is fun, celebration, influence… except he doesn’t call it that. He calls it "Party!" Nothing wrong with it except that it lacks purpose.
My bet is that he hasn’t the slightest clue why he wants the things that he does. He has a cocktail of things going that blind him from getting to the root of anything. Resentment against his dad maybe, or the industry he grew up in. Producers, directors, casting agents, fake friends, and who knows how many others that used him for what he could do for them. It’s too painful to address all of the hurts he’s endured from those types of relationships so he gravitates to whoever will party and let him run the show.
Because of the layers of forgiveness issues in the way, he can’t see clearly enough to appreciate all of the amazing aspects of his life. His lack of gratitude, which gives most people a sense of humility, is completely missing. The impact on others or how his actions might play out… it doesn’t really matter to him. I don’t think he is trying to hurt anyone. I just don’t think he cares. This is the difference between living "IN" the moment and living "FOR" the moment. Charlie lives FOR the moment and it doesn’t matter what happens next.
Just like with callouses on the skin, Charlie Sheen’s issue with forgiveness and gratitude have built up to keep him from feeling purpose. He just doesn’t get it. Maybe because he’s never been exposed to it’s power or how it really plays into how our lives turn out. He could easily get everything he wants from life in a different way than he does. To do it though, he must dig deep enough to understand what he really wants and why. The forgiveness and gratitude can come once he’s conscious of his mindset and his ability to shape his own world.
They’ve stopped shooting episodes of his show, but it isn’t likely that this round of rehab will do anything to hamper his career. It hasn’t so far. I pray peace and discernment over Charlie Sheen and all the rest of us. There is a way, if you’re willing to see it.
Be your best.
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