Something Wonderful

As Claire was paying for her groceries at a checkout line, a message that she had kept from a fortune cookie fell out of her purse. The message, which read “Something wonderful will happen for you today” was a visual reminder that she regularly read to impress her mind to expect positive events. Claire realized that attitude plays a major role in what we achieve in life. Fortunately, the checkout lady noticed the little slip of paper, and Claire was able to return it to her to her purse for safe keeping.

***

According to various sources, our subconscious mind processes approximately 400,000,000,000 bits of information per second. Our conscious mind, however, can only process approximately 2,000 bits. Although I have no way of verifying this information, I think we can safely conclude that there is a vast difference in processing capability. Unless we believe that all of life is random (which I don’t), we may conclude that there is an ongoing selection process (focus/attraction) that determines what we will experience in our lives. We might imagine this as blinders on a horse; a device that limits the horse’s view to that which is straight ahead. In other words, the horse is only viewing a slice of the reality that is actually available. Our blinders (which we choose though our predominant mental attitude) determine what we will experience.

The role of focus in our life cannot be overemphasized–it is that important! In Claire’s case, she was wisely choosing to remind herself that–in any given moment, on any given day–something wonderful was welcome. She was, in effect, informing The Universe that she was open to receiving the best experiences available. Do you believe, as I do, that focus influences our experience? Or do you believe that life, and our experience of it, is actually random?

Please contemplate this: Does it seem logical that when we direct our attention to a “something-wonderful point of view” that we leave ourselves open to the beautiful ideals that we hold most dear? Does believing that something wonderful is going to happen–in our health, our career, in our relationships–attune ourselves to that which we seek? Conversely, if we attune ourselves to that which seems terrible, is it not logical that we make ourselves vulnerable to attracting that reality?

As students of the Law of Attraction, a question may naturally arise in our minds: So, how do we open ourselves to the best reality that we’re seeking? In part, by realizing three ways in which we unintentionally sabotage our dreams and goals:

First (Fear): So often, it is fear that makes us say “no” to a new experience. It is fear that disguises itself as common sense. It is fear that forces us to focus upon what could go wrong, instead of upon that which may go marvelously right. It is fear that keeps a ship “safe”–but rotting–in harbour, when it was meant to sail the seven seas.
Second (Confusion): Until we truly know what we desire, we cannot possibly achieve successfully. If a sculptor changed his/her mind daily, what type of sculpture might we expect? Might confusion have resulted in Michelangelo’s David being, instead, Michelangelo’s Donkey or Daffodil? We must find our passion and focus upon it, as though already achieved.
Third (Impatience): If we are unwilling to let the Universe work through us–in its own way, in its own time–we are undermining the results that we desire. Patience and persistent relaxed focus pays big dividends.

I offer this suggestion: Consider writing your own fortune-cookie message, of your heart’s deepest desire. Write it in the present tense, beginning with “I am now…,” as though it is already achieved as a reality. Keep it close (in your purse, wallet, or pocket) and refer to it daily, in moments of quiet reflection. The life we desire may be waiting just outside the 2,000 bits of data that we habitually process per second. A change in attitude, prompted by our own good-fortune message, will begin the process of attracting the good we seek.

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–released September 8, 2020), press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey. 🙏🙏

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Constructive Thinking

Are you ready? Got your hammer? Your saw? Tape measure? Carpenter’s apron? Safety boots. Hard hat? Nails? Lumber–and plenty of it? Good. We’re almost ready to build.

***

Now, I’ve heard a rumor that you’d like to build the life of your dreams. That’s great, because at least you know what you desire! That means that you’re ahead of ninety-nine percent of the world’s population, who are simply waiting for what will come next. Not you, though–you’ve got a plan! Before we make that first saw cut, however, let’s take a look at what you’ve got in mind.

When it comes to building–or dreaming–there’s an important point to remember. Now please pay attention; I’m only going to write this once…but you can read it as many times as you like: You can’t build a bungalow by focusing on the plans for a barn. Amazing? Astounding? How incredibly insightful? Best darn obvious advice you’ve ever heard? And…what the heck could that possibly have to do with manifesting a dream?

It’s simple, really. The point I’m making is that you can’t–absolutely can’t–create what you want by focusing on what you don’t want! In the case of my example, if you actually want to build a beautiful little bungalow, it’s imperative that you never focus on the plans for a barn. If you give more thought to the plans for the barn, well…you’ll end up building a barn! The same holds true for the following: focusing on disease can never create health; focusing on poverty can never create prosperity; focusing on lack can never create abundance; focusing on ugliness can never create beauty? And last but not least: focusing on losing can never create winning! I think you get my point.

The key, my friends, is to concentrate on what you desire, as though you already possess it. Let your thoughts be playful and detached; but keep them focused on your vision, whatever that may be. If you desire wealth, imagine it. If you desire greater health, imagine that. If you’d like a great relationship, imagine that too. Engage as many of your senses as you can and feel the reality of the end result. It all begins in the mind; and is, in fact, created by the mind.

So, by now you realize that I used a catchy little alliteration to make a point. Let it serve you. Apply it to your dreams and what’s important to you. Oh, and one last word: If a barn is what you really desire, then don’t–of course–focus on the plans for a bungalow; because so-called reality will always match the blueprint in your mind.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Word, Words, Words

Words, words, words, you say–nothing more than words! No, my friend, we are told in John 1:1 that in the beginning was the word; so it was–and still remains. Words are incredibly powerful–far mightier than the sword. Therefore, use them–and choose them–wisely. In The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel, he stated that “words are but the cloaks of thought.” By that, he meant that words are but spoken thoughts; conversely, thoughts are but silent words. Why, should this matter? Because our habitual thoughts, words, and actions are determining the very quality of our life. What is impressed upon the mind–especially with feeling–will be expressed. What we’re telling ourselves literally “matters.”

If all of this seems like so much mumbo jumbo, please continue reading to give yourself a chance at understanding the depths of what’s being shared. The placebo effect is well known–it has been for centuries. Have you not heard of old wives’ tales in which warts were “cured” by having the “patient” rub them with bacon, or perform some other bizarre ritual? And yet, the warts disappeared; depending on the faith of the patient; the cure had nothing to do with the actual efficacy of some potion. That’s the reason why the Bible has a verse such as the following, from Matthew 17:20: “…If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” What you may not know is that there is also an effect termed nocebo (to harm), which is related to habitually focusing on negative thoughts and feelings. Many of you have probably heard of someone who was informed that he/she only had six months to live and, instead, was dead within six days. The effects, you see, are related–at least in part–to what the patient believes.

You’ll understand the depths of this if you’re willing to consider–even though this is going to seem impossible to believe–that the world in which you’re seemingly immersed is a thought world made from Consciousness alone. Yes, this is a mental universe. If you doubt this (and I most certainly did) please consider what would be the most essential ingredient involved in having any experience. Could you know anything, could you experience an event, could you remember information in the absence of Consciousness? No, of course not. The linchpin of all is Consciousness. It is not produced by the brain–the body-mind is in Consciousness, of Consciousness, and known by Consciousness!

The affirmation in the photo at the top of this article is actually taken from my bedroom. I see it every day in passing. It’s based on the original from Charles F. Haanel, who was a New Thought teacher and successful businessman. His affirmation–which was considered ideal–read as follows: “I Am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy.” When I first read his affirmation many years ago, I admit that I found it challenging to state it with any authority. It just seemed like such a stretch to my rational mind. If you choose to use it, the affirmation may also challenge you; but I assure you that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing so.

The point of this article is not to tell you to do anything; and I’m certainly not advising you to go against any medical advice if you’re seeking treatment or any kind. The point is to share knowledge that may be of assistance and help you live a more rewarding and successful life. I’ll leave you with another passage from the Bible, found in Phillipians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Coincidence that the message is so positive?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Affirming Truth

It’s almost inevitable that anyone who is earnest about studying the Law of Attraction will come across the following famous quote attributed to Henry Ford. It has become an integral part of the human story, especially as it pertains to motivation. Unfortunately, the depth of its meaning is often lost to most persons. The quote reads as follows:

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

The quote is truly inspiring; but it may lead many individuals to conclude–understandably so–that if we focus on our goal, work extremely hard, and apply ourselves diligently that we can achieve whatever we desire. However, there is a huge chunk of missing information that must be known and understood if we desire to manifest more effectively. For the majority of individuals, the information will seem so astonishing as to be unbelievable. Before we delve deeper, please read the next quotation; it’s from Andrew Carnegie, who was once considered the richest man in the world:

“Any idea that is held in the mind, that is emphasized, that is either feared or revered, will begin to clothe itself in the most convenient and appropriate form available.”

Are you curious why a man who–apparently–achieved such incredible financial success would write such a quote? What could he possibly have meant by writing that ideas held in the mind would begin to clothe themselves in form? Mr. Carnegie did not inform us to work really hard, forfeit our heath, and sacrifice our family life in an effort to achieve our goals. So, just what was he really suggesting? Could it be that he and a relatively few others knew a secret–unrealized by the masses–by which they wielded a scepter of great power? Let’s open our minds to more understanding by reading the following quote from Napoleon Hill, who was commissioned by Mr. Carnegie to write Think and Grow Rich, which is still considered one of the best motivational books of all time:

“More gold has been mined from the minds of men than the earth it self.”

What could Napoleon Hill have possibly been trying to convey through such a quotation? I mean, really, Napoleon–get a grip! Let’s read his words again in an attempt to absorb their full meaning: “More gold has been mined from the minds of men than the earth it self.” Nonsense–at least from the human perspective; for any logical thinking human knows that gold is mined from the earth–that real stuff beneath our feet. The following passage from Mark 9:23 may add to our growing curiosity:

Jesus said unto him, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

Could it be that the Bible and other sacred books actually hold great truths that have been thrown aside by the majority of persons due to innocent ignorance? Is it possible that we could be healed if we changed our fundamental beliefs about the nature of reality? Could this explain why placebos (sugar pills) often outperform supposed “actual” drugs in test trials? The next quotation is borrowed from This Mysterious Universe by James Jeans, who was a noted English physicist and astronomer:

“The Universe begins to look more like a great thought than like a great machine. Mind no longer appears to be an accidental intruder into the realm of matter… we ought rather hail it as the creator and governor of the realm of matter.”

The true secret related to the Law of Attraction eluded me for many years, in spite of my reading a great many books related to the subject. Such is understandable; for we’ve been strongly conditioned to blindly accept the materialist perspective, which supposes that objects exist independent of the mind. They do not. For more than one hundred years, science has realized that mind and matter are irrefutably linked. The original Buddha shared Truth twenty-five hundred years ago through the following quote:

“Events happen, deeds are done, consequences happen, but there is no individual doer of any deed.”

To understand this fully, we must deeply investigate the very nature of our Being. We must be relentless; we must ask ourselves What–not who–we truly are. Here’s the answer: We are Spirit, whether we’re aware of the fact or not. What is impressed upon the mind (as Andrew Carnegie expressed) will be expressed as the apparent circumstances of our so-called human life. Right now, as you read the lines upon this page, YOU ARE DREAMING; but the majority of human beings are asleep to this fact. Let’s add to my words through a passage from Open Secret, by Wei Wu Wei, who was a respected author and scholar of philosophy and metaphysics:

“Our dreamed ‘selves,’ autonomous in appearance, as in life, can be seen in awakened retrospect to be puppets totally devoid of volitional possibilities of their own.”

The person that you think you are is rendered by the mind and is conceptual only. Enlightenment means to awaken from the dream of personhood to the awareness of our essential nature, which is Presence. Sages have been aware of this since time immemorial. We do not live on a planet made of matter; we live in a realm that exists in Consciousness, as do our body-minds.

For readers who believe this is ludicrous, it may help to know that René Descartes considered this, although he ultimately backed away from the position. His famous quote–“I think, therefore I am”–is backward; rather, it should read: “I am, therefore I think.” To realize this can be of tremendous benefit. According to our degree of faith, we may remedy at least part of our apparent lacks–in health, wealth, and relationships–through a change in our beliefs. This means, of course, that we must be careful about what we intentionally–and unintentionally–impress upon the mind. And, yes, this definitely applies to what has been impressed upon us during the current world situation. Wake up, wake up, wake up!

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Ride On

I’ve just returned from a 13, 000-kilometer motorcycle trip in which I visited the west coast of Canada and also a few of the States of America. I was away for thirty-three incredible days. It was a great trip, and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to travel in a way that provides both excitement and joy.

My passion for motorcycling struck me when I was a teenager, and despite a period of over twenty years in which I didn’t ride, my passion returned several years ago. How glad I am that it did! Several friends I know also ride, but we have strikingly dissimilar belief systems when the subject of continued riding in future years comes up. Two people I know have even planned the exact age when they will quit riding–stating reasons such as, “Well, you know that your reflexes get slower as you age,” or “you have to be very sharp when you’re riding on two wheels.” I don’t deny that these statements are true; but both negate that safe riding can still be possible, in part due to benefits that we’ve acquired as we age. We’ll look at the subject from a Law of Attraction viewpoint:

The Law of Attraction basically states that what we think about, we bring about. When we apply this to the subject of safe motorcycling, it, thus, means that if we focus upon the day when we will quit, to be safe, we will actually manifest that as a consequence of our thinking. Our mind, when directed in such a manner, will offer ample evidence as proof of why this should be so. My approach is much different.

Yes, the day will undoubtedly come when I will stop riding, but until that day appears I’m going to focus all of my efforts on staying in the saddle. Why not? I’m going to tell myself that such is possible for as long as possible. The point? It’s definitely not solely about riding a motorcycle! It’s about indulging in and enjoying all of our interests! Golfing, skiing, running? Travel, adventure, passion? I’m saying “Yes!” to all of my interests. Isn’t it wiser to let life determine when the time is right to forgo an interest, and trade that one for yet another? The details will look after themselves. We need not plan for the day when we figuratively park our motorcycle for the last time, or shelve our helmet. In fact doing so, only makes such occur that much sooner!

Why was my trip only 13,000 kilometers long? Simple: Because I started to entertain thoughts (which brought about corresponding actions) that it was time to turn eastward and return to life in Ontario. If I had continued to think about riding in other States–perhaps heading further south–it would have been much longer. This little example applies to so many of our other interests? Why are we not travelling anymore? Because we stopped entertaining the idea that we could or should? Why have we given up on driving, maintaining our own home, or hiking the surrounding parks? Quite often it’s because we stopped thinking that such was possible; long before any physical reason presented that actually inhibited our ability to do so.

In a book entitled In The Flow of Life, the author, Eric Butterworth, tells the account of a businessman named Joseph McDonald, who, despite being eighty years of age, was vibrant, energetic, and doing the same amount of work of employees many years younger. At lunch one day, a young employee politely asked Mr. McDonald his age. Without missing a beat, Joseph replied, “My son, my age is none of my business!” What he was so wisely saying was that his age need not ever be his focus. Must we squeeze ourselves into the stereotypical definitions of someone who is sixty, seventy, eighty and beyond? No! We can let age take care of itself. It will. In the meantime, isn’t it time to be planning our next trip?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

The title of this article definitely has something to do with the Law of Attraction! Everything, in fact. It’s not just a lame expression; it’s true. And it definitely applies to the purpose of this blog, which is to help empower people to bring their best visions to life and gain deeper insights into our true nature.

There are several core components to the Law of Attraction, but the most important one is this: What we habitually think about we bring about. It’s true. Period. The same can be said of our words, actions, habits, and character; for all of these are actually just extensions of thought. They are intimately connected; so much, in fact, that we could say they are thoughts projected.

For anyone who doubts the truth that thoughts–either entertained or acted on through words, actions, or habits–actually return like results, please consider this: Have you ever known a time when behaving angrily–I mean really angrily–returned anything to you but anger? Most of us might agree that such situations usually escalate, unless one of the beings involved are wise enough to respond with silence, words of understanding, or loving compassion. Angry actions usually yield angry actions in return. This is no accident. There are no accidents.

If the example seems logical, please also consider this: What if all of our habitual thoughts, words, and actions actually returned to us as experiences in reality? Would a sane person ever focus on disease, poverty, or failure? Would a sane person ever speak or act with those in mind? Wouldn’t doing so just prove that we–creators–desired to bring such to life? And wouldn’t the impersonal Power behind all of life respond by giving us that for which we asked? Would the old saying–What goes around, comes around–not take on greater meaning?

Once we accept the truth of the Law of Attraction, we realize that we’re living our own prophecies. Life reflects our way of Being. Without this mirror, we couldn’t possibly evolve. Through our experiences, we learn whether our thoughts are serving us positively…or not. And as we gain a clearer understanding, we may thoughtfully and deliberately use the Law of Attraction in our favour. I think we can. I know we can.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Law of Attraction

Something Wonderful

Constructive Thinking

Word, Words, Words

Affirming Truth

Ride On

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

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