Bad Things Come in Fours

I’m sharing this article as my civic duty, to inform those persons who may be unaware of a change in a law of the universe. When it changed, or how it changed, I know not. I only know that it has changed. Although we were once subject to the law that Bad Things Come in Three, we must now accept the indisputable fact that Bad Things Come in Four! Perhaps we can blame the change on cosmic inflation or an ever-expanding universe. It only makes sense. It’s clearly evident that expansion is at play! In twenty years, it’s most likely that bad things will come in five! The cause truly doesn’t matter; only that we’re aware of the change.

Why is this so important? Because we wish to live an orderly life, one in which we’re aware of the facts and live by them. To stumble about, ignorant of the laws of the universe, would not only be silly but potentially dangerous! We want to be educated and clear-thinking individuals.

If you’re curious about the time frame under which these bad things must occur, the formal rules are nebulous, at best. This part of the law has never been clearly defined. The period could be twenty-four hours to the minute; loosely based around a period of several days; or even stretch to a week or more. The main point is that the bad things must truly be bad (think severed limbs, overflowing toilets, flat tires on freeways, and–now 4th–neighbours from hell). If no such bad things are available to count, it’s permissible to include matters that might otherwise be viewed as trifling (think smucked in the face with a cream pie). Again, no hard and fast rules exist; discretion is required.

Disbelievers in this law should be cautioned to proceed at their own peril: for the law is operating whether they accept it as fact or not. The situation becomes quite dire; for by and large, the masses are unaware of the change. So many unsuspecting people may be going to bed at night, thinking that all is well and fine (having counted their bad things up to three), only to later learn that the fourth bad thing was missed! What tragic fate may befall those people who are ignorant of the law? We may all do our part by advising two friends–who tell two friends.

So, at least the readers of this article are safe, for now you know the truth: Bad Things Come in Four. Please read it, know it, and commit it to memory. When looking for the bad things it’s imperative to know precisely how many bad things to expect. It’s all about being educated and aware. Realize, too, that if there’s a shortage of bad things in our immediate vicinity, we may lift our gaze and focus upon the horizon until some bad things show up there! Invariably they will, and we may include them in the count and rest easy.

And now, we arrive at the serious part of this tongue-in-cheek article. It lies in part of the verse from Mathew 7:7: “Seek and ye shall find.” What does it mean? It basically means that people find what they’re expecting to find. For those bent on finding the bad—be that in threes, fours, or fives–they shall undoubtedly find them; for such becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’m pleased to report, however, that the opposite is true. There’s a lesser-known saying, one of which many people are unaware:

Good things come in innumerable quantities!

By seeking the good, and being grateful for the goodness that already surrounds us, we discover even more. The change occurs within us, not the so-called external world.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡

Exchanging Paradigms

Paradigms are a collection of beliefs in the subconscious mind that serve as a mould or blueprint for our life experiences. Many of our paradigms are positive and serve us beneficially; but some are negative and detrimentally affect the quality of our life. It’s easy to understand the importance of exchanging paradigms that aren’t working in our best interests.

How can this be accomplished? The first course of action is to realize they exist. Although it’s true that we cannot directly witness paradigms, we can definitely notice their effects. A useful analogy would be to think of paradigms as the wind–made knowable through a weather vane. We can notice our paradigms by observing how we navigate through life. When we pay attention, we’ll notice that we perform most activities in a predictable and habitual manner. For instance: After a shower, we begin to dry ourselves in a definite pattern–arms, chest, and then lower body? When brushing our teeth, we begin from right to left or top to bottom? When driving our car, we buckle our seat belt immediately or just prior to pulling away? Believe that there’s no such thing as paradigms? Then watch next time as your habits drive you to the same parking space, in the same lot, at your local grocery! These actions are due to the function of paradigms.

In this article, I describe a technique that I borrowed from a hypnotist’s internet presentation. In it, the hypnotist shared that we could conceptualize the subconscious mind as a glass container, perhaps in the shape of a carafe or flask. The flask is full of our subconscious paradigms–both good and bad. Fluid symbolically represents the paradigms contained within the flask.

For the purpose of learning this technique, we may imagine that the flask contains a belief system (paradigm) that’s producing a negative effect regarding a goal we desire to achieve. Perhaps we have a habit of procrastination that’s hindering us from completing our goals in a timely fashion. Next, we may imagine dropping a new and positive belief (conceptualized as a pebble) into the flask every time we perform our tasks on time. Initially this may not appear to make any difference to the amount of volume in the flask. But, when we drop pebble after pebble–day in and day out–our limiting beliefs will be displaced. They’ll simply spill away to darkness where they belong. The key with this method is mindful repetition. When we’re present, we’ll see that it’s actually possible to choose our habits.

So, please take an honest introspective peek. What paradigm needs exchanging? Anger? Defensiveness? Excessive consumption of food or alcohol? Fearfulness? Irritability? Jealousy? Tardiness? Is there a belief that’s preventing you from experiencing a healthier and happier life, or hijacking your degree of success? If you’re aware of a limiting paradigm, now’s the time to symbolically drop that first pebble and take inspired action toward the change you desire.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

The Power of Belief

In 1948, Claude M. Bristol published a book entitled The Magic of Believing. It’s still in publication today. The opening sentence reads as follows: “Is there a something, a force, a factor, a power, a science–call it what you will–which a few people understand and use to overcome their difficulties and achieve outstanding success?” Claude M. Bristol goes on to describe the nature of thought and the function of the conscious and subconscious mind. He further relates situations in which the power of belief dramatically improved lives.

Many individuals may be skeptical. They may think that belief is child’s play, or worse yet fools’ play. If so, they’re certainly entitled to think what they will. But according to the Law of Attraction, which states that like attracts like, they will, therefore, attract to themselves accordingly. I, however, prefer to stand with those who believe in a Power greater than ourselves; one that’s omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient; one with which we may align to help us achieve our goals.

I cannot prove the magic of belief, nor will I attempt to do so. I can, however, draw our attention to where we would be today if courageous men and women had not believed in their visions and dared to follow them. Without the power of belief, what goals could have ever been accomplished? It would be insane to ever undertake a goal if we didn’t believe that it was possible.

Belief (faith) is a power that moves mountains! This is not a figurative truth; it’s a literal one! For instance: Would the Panama Canal, which involved the excavation of tonnes of rock and earth over a period of thirty-four years, exist if pioneering visionaries had not believed it possible? Likewise, could we have ever manned a rocket to the moon without the captivating belief that we could do so? Without belief humankind would literally be in the dark ages!

Our goals, dreams, and aspirations do not occur in a vacuum. Our attitude is an integral factor in determining whether they will be realized. Or not. Without belief–in ourselves and in our goals–how can our desires possibly be achieved? Doubt has never, and will never, take us anywhere positive!

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Belief

Bad Things Come in Fours

Exchanging Paradigms

The Power of Belief

Menu