Mental Eavesdropping

To become more proficient at the deliberate application of the Law of Attraction, it’s vital that we monitor our thinking. By this, I’m not suggesting that we need to know the nature of each and every thought, for such would be impossible; but we must certainly realize the gist of our mind. In this process of mental eavesdropping, we might imagine that we’re a dutiful guard standing watch at the doorway of our mind. Our primary task is to grant entry to positive thoughts; and to deny entry to all negative.

For individuals new to the Law of Attraction, the idea of monitoring our thinking may seem very strange. To achieve the results that we desire, however, the importance of this must be grasped. As Napoleon Hill stated in Think and Grow Rich, most people don’t actually think. They allow their minds to drift in one direction one minute; a different direction the next. This scattered focus leads to haphazard results. Successful creators are able to maintain a relaxed but concentrated focus at will. How, though, do we develop the habit of focusing properly when we experience average 60,000 – 70,000 thoughts per day?

The task of mental eavesdropping, which may at first seem daunting, becomes easier when we understand the role of feelings, which serve as invaluable indicators of our thought patterns. The key is understanding this:The thoughts we think lead to the feelings we experience. Thus, the way we’re feeling reveals the nature of our thoughts. Through the course of a day, we may apply this knowledge effectively by paying attention to how we feel. If we’re feeling good, joyous, and content, such means that everything is on course. If we’re feeling angry, depressed, or frustrated, we’re wise to examine the nature of our thoughts. In most cases, a negative thought pattern will be evident. Perhaps we’re regretful about the past, or fearful about the future. A loved one may have died, or an important relationship concluded. Business may have been slow, or our health been less than optimal.

I’m not suggesting we should become automatons; we are, after all, having a human experience. However, for the sake of manifesting effectively, we’re wise to get our thinking back on track as soon as possible. Although down days are only natural, we don’t have to let them sabotage our future. In this regard, gratitude is a powerful habit, for it can quickly transform our state of mind. Every day, we have so much for which to be grateful: our health, our family, our friendships, our work. And by aligning with our positive nature, we’re also aligning with Source, which is a good place to be!

Dare to dream.

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Down Memory Lane

During the course of a day, it’s not unusual to hear persons of all ages state the following: I have a terrible memory. I’m bad at remembering names. If I didn’t have a bad memory, I wouldn’t have any memory at all! Such statements, which are often stated as fact, are usually nothing more than a bad habit. Do you really believe that your ability to remember is somehow flawed? Those who insist on making such statements are actually creating that reality. The law of attraction is very clear: What we think about we bring about.

The inner narrative that we entertain makes a tremendous difference in the results that we experience. Successful golfers know that they don’t sink the puts by continually telling themselves they can’t; nor do financiers create profit by focusing on losses. The same principle applies to memory. It’s impossible to achieve the results that we desire by concentrating on thoughts of why we can’t! To replace the negative programming you may have acquired, I offer these positive affirmations:

It (the information we desire to recall) will come to me in a minute.
I easily remember names of people with whom I interact.
My memory is sharp, clear, and accurate.
My memory is improving each and every day!
I have an excellent memory!

Will this instantaneously displace years of negative programming? No. But if you begin the practice I’ve described, you’ll definitely witness an improvement. Patience and spaced repetition of the new program is key. Remember, it takes time for our waking-state reality to catch up to new programming. When we allow memory to function in a relaxed state, the desired information will present itself more rapidly. Our memory is one of the most important faculties of our mind. We owe it to ourselves to use it properly. When we do, we’ll discover that it’s our willingly and eager servant. Worth remembering?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Sweet Glory: Decision

It’s probably safe to assume that most humans desire to set an intention in motion and arrive at the destination that they chose; but before this can happen, we must decide what we desire. And there’s the rub. The weight of decision can feel so heavy; the number of choices so great. Do I want this, or that? Should I go here, or there? Would this career be best, or another? And so we wait, deciding not to decide.

In many cases, fear is what prevents us from making a decision, although we might not recognize it as such. Fear, the trickster, attempts to convince us that the world hinges on one wrong decision. Fear, masquerading as logic, would have us believe that we shouldn’t take a step unless we can foretell every consequence. Fear, the thief of dreams, would have us focus on potential losses instead of the potential gains. Fear, masked as common sense, would inform us that we should wait another day, or another year. And so, we wait, deciding not to decide.

A mind that’s been conditioned to procrastinate making decisions is often haunted by a What If mindset. What if this or that happens? What if my family or friends or neighbours think I’m a fool? What if people laugh or talk behind my back? What if everything doesn’t go as planned? What if I invest all this time, energy, and money and don’t achieve my goal?

What’s the greatest risk of deciding not to decide? Time. Life doesn’t wait for anyone. Days have a habit of turning into weeks; weeks to months; and months to years. The heart of what matters is the journey–how we reach, how we grow, and how we evolve. The good news is that all experiences, not only those labelled right, hold value. The following quote from Amelia Earhart offers great inspiration:

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process, is its own reward.”

With regard to the art of deciding, the following riddle offers a dose of wisdom: Five seagulls are sitting on a dock. One decides to fly off. How many are left? If you answered “four” you might think again, because the answer is “five.” Deciding to fly and “actually” flying are very different. Once we decide upon a desire, it’s imperative to take action. Even little steps are better than no steps at all. Until we act, we’re still sitting on the dock with the fifth seagull. Regarding any of your concerns and worries about making a wrong decision, please consider this: In the end, what really matters is that we flew–not where or how. Is that not truly our sweet glory?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Time for Change

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result.” That quotation, which is attributed to Albert Einstein, is important for everyone who desires to create deliberate change in their life. Why? Seems obvious, doesn’t it? If we habitually repeat our way of being in the world, isn’t it logical to expect that life will remain fairly similar? Granted, life is always in a state of ebb and flow and changing moment to moment; but as deliberate creators, we desire to be the captain of our ship–our life.

To do so, we must first know what we truly desire. Until an interest becomes a burning passion, it’s unlikely that we’ll make the necessary steps to effect change. In short, our discontent has to become more stimulating than our content. Why? Because humans have the habit of embracing the status quo; it’s part of our safety mechanism. Our subconscious mind would have us believe that if life remains the same that we can let down our guard and relax. We feel that we know what tomorrow will bring!

However: This small way of thinking doesn’t positively serve our evolution. Indeed, there is a time to rest and enjoy the fruits of our labour. But so many of us may reach a point where we long for something more; where we intuitively realize that an ingredient of life is missing. Subtle feelings inform us that it’s time to expand and reach and grow. At such a time, we’re faced with making a choice: to expand in our awareness and live a grander version of ourselves, or shrink back into the old patterns that gave rise to our discontent.

Although the known world may feel comfortable and safe, it’s important to remember this: The known is not the place where we reap the benefits associated with change. To reap those benefits, we must step courageously into the unknown! We must rise higher and higher still and proclaim, “I can, and I will!” Frightening? Scary? Unsettling? Definitely, but when viewed with a positive perspective, the unknown has the potential to make us feel more alive than we’ve felt in years! How, though, do we begin?

By paying attention to the longings in our heart; by taking time to envision what we really want! What dreams–of greater health, of greater wealth, of greater success–do we wish to make tangible and made vibrantly alive in the here and now? We might be wise to remember this: Different thoughts lead to different emotions; and different emotions lead to different actions; and different actions lead to different outcomes! Simple, really. Whether we put this into practice and dream our dream is up to us. Time for change?

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”

LOA: Cause and Effect

From Three Magic Words, written by the gifted New Thought author U.S. Andersen, I offer the following quote: Inherent in every cause is its exact result, for effect is nothing but cause moving through space and time. Please read those words again slowly, giving them the contemplation which they deserve. When fully grasped, the concept may be the key through which we unlock understanding of our true nature, and also the means to achieve our goals.

Think: What if we realized our power? What if we knew our true nature, of being so much more than flesh and bones? And what if we realized that every step we made was leading us closer to the realization of our dreams? What if we knew, with unwavering faith, that cause and effect were intimately linked; so much, in fact, that they could be called one? What if we realized that to imagine a desire was as good as creating it whole, complete, and manifest? And, as U.S. Andersen expressed, that only space and time separated us from experiencing its reality here and now?

The concept of cause and effect being one, not two, is not unique. It’s similar to an esoteric teaching called the Principle of Polarity, which states that everything is dual. Right/left; up/down; east/west. This concept may be more easily understood through a familiar example: Heat and cold, it’s taught, are not opposites but poles, or extremes, of one thing called heat; the only difference being that of degree. We are figuratively asked to look at a thermometer and state where heat begins and cold ends, or vice versa. Of course this is impossible, for such is relative.

The implications of this understanding are tremendous. Think: What fears could assail us if we knew the truth of this promise? What mountain could we not scale or move? With U.S. Andersen’s quote in mind, we would know that our goal was already manifest; and that our vision, faith, and persistence is the price we must pay to claim it!

We might also remember this: First cause is always mental. Physical outcome (the effect) is always secondary. Most, if not all, of our worries and problems arise because we assume that our life is a reflection of the outer; when, in fact, circumstances are but a reflection of the inner. It’s from within, where our true nature shines most brightly, that we access the power and potential to decree what will manifest in our life.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Circumstantial Evidence

The vast majority of people are living from the outside in. Meaning? That they’re allowing external circumstances to determine how they think and feel. A good day is one in which experiences fall precisely into place, the way they should, or the day can’t possibly be labelled good. Trip getting out of bed, spill that first cup of coffee, or miss the bus, and many people are convinced that their day is ruined. Little do they realize that they’re creating the results they expect…by the nature of their thoughts! Under such demands, an entire life may fall short of the mark. For instance:

If there are ample signs and symbols of wealth–such as an overflowing bank account, a big house, and several expensive cars in the driveway–people who live this way will feel rich. If there are trophies on their shelves, diplomas on their walls, and an office with a great view, they will feel successful. If they’re surrounded by a loving family, admiring fans, and a multitude of friends they will feel lovable. This way of being seems normal to most; for we’ve been programmed to believe it so. There’s a downside, however: It not only leaves us dependent on outer circumstances–which are changing from moment to moment–but also makes us vulnerable to great suffering when/if the symbols that define false wealth, success, and love are no longer present. In the extreme, it means that if the Cadillac rusts or is stolen, the office with the great view no longer ours, or a spouse or lover leaves, we must feel crushed. The obvious solution for people who live this way is to replace these symbols as quickly as possible. And so the cycle repeats again…and again.

We who are studying the Law of Attraction are advised to live a different way: from the inside out. We’re taught that all change comes from within; that circumstances and effects are but an outer reflection of who we are inwardly. Therefore, if we desire to experience more symbols of wealth, we must trust they will appear when we–first–feel rich within. To people accustomed to viewing the symbols of wealth as the true wealth, this will seem illogical at best. However, if we contemplate what a symbol of wealth actually is–perhaps a hundred dollar bill–we realize that it only holds value because of a shared belief system. The bill or note represents a promise only; and holds little value of its own. Think: Can a bill–the paper, ink, serial number, and seal–truly be wealth?

With these points running through our mind, we may contemplate a few questions about our own value system: Do we think it’s possible to place a value on health? If so, would it be priceless? Would we have much wealth at all if our health failed? And what of family and friends? Can a value be placed on time shared with them? Is it possible to feel wealthy by viewing a sunrise, a thunderstorm, a child’s smile? And what price would we place on holding our children or grandchildren for the first time? Or the last?

For those wondering how we can possibly feel healthy when the evidence reflects disease, I offer this: Concentrating on disease only creates more disease. We may counter this by envisioning ourselves as either healed or experiencing greatly improved health. Through our subconscious mind–which is our link to Universal Intelligence–we will intuit the right path. Surgery, medication, or alternative methods of healing may, indeed, be required; but we may trust that the way will be revealed. The key is to focus on our vision of health–not disease; the solution–not the problem; the positive–not the negative.

There are tremendous benefits related to living this way–the greatest being freedom! We may feel as though we’ve shrugged off the burden of chasing symbols, whose luster is transient at best. That we may still acquire great wealth is certainly possible; but we will never require such symbols to elicit the feeling of being rich. In fact, needing the symbols is the surest way of keeping the symbols distant; for need implies lack. A change in perspective can be a giant step toward liberation. We can have it all–health, wealth, and success. And along the way, we may also realize deeper aspects of our true nature.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Begetting of Belief

The Bible, especially Genesis, has a multitude of begets. This man begat that son, who begat another son. And so on, and so on, and so on. As used in the Bible, the term undoubtedly means to sire, or procreate as the father. However, we’re going to apply the second definition from Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary: to produce, especially as an effect or outgrowth. The begetting that’s serves as the subject of this article has nothing to do with fathering, but everything to do with believing; which, as we already realize, leads to the effects that we experience in our lives. Two examples in which we examine how like begets like may help us learn more about our own beliefs and the Law of Attraction. Imagine:

Nathan is an only child, born to wealthy parents who live in New York City. He frequently travels with them to their other residence in California. He knows nothing of want or lack, for everything is handed to him on the proverbial silver platter. He wears the latest style of clothes, attends the best schools; enjoys vacations at the finest holiday destinations. On his seventeenth birthday, he’s given a Mercedes Coupe. He knew his parents would buy it for him; he just knew. In the fall, he’ll begin his first year at Harvard. What beliefs is Nathan inheriting from his parents? And what beliefs will he beget to his children? That to be so entitled is only normal? On the other hand:

Ebele is the last child born to impoverished parents who live in Ethiopia. She and her five siblings live in a small hut. Her bed consists of a framework of branches filled with straw. What meager food her family has is cooked on a small stove in the center of the hut. The village in which she lives has no electricity. There’s no running water, either; she and her two sisters have to make daily trips to a river two miles away. Clothes are always hand-me-downs, stitched and stitched yet again for maximum wear. Formal education is out of the question for Ebele; for only boys of the village are allowed to attend school. A female’s fate is to become a mother. What beliefs is Ebele inheriting from her parents? And what beliefs will she beget to her children? That to be so impoverished is only normal?

On a personal level, we may ask what beliefs we have inherited. And what beliefs will we beget to our children. Beliefs that we have blindly accepted as gospel truth. Beliefs which scream this is the way the world is–accept, accept, accept! Beliefs, which, unless questioned and challenged for their validity, will perpetuate through generation after generation! Beliefs, about anything and everything, which took root within us and are now bearing their fruit.

And what truly is a belief? Nothing more than a collection of thoughts. We think this way about this matter; we think that way about that subject. And how we think–whether good or bad, or positive or negative–begets corresponding results. That which seems impossible will remain so as long as possible isn’t entertained. If our beliefs serve and empower us, we have nothing to do but continue what we’re doing. If our beliefs limit the quality of our life, however, what then? We can change our beliefs. Isn’t it time to beget the best days of our life?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Coffee-Shop Joe

I think of him as Coffee-Shop Joe. A small-frame man with a pleasant face and a bald head, he appears sixty to sixty-five. Wearing jeans and a long-sleeve shirt, he always sits at the same small table in the coffee shop I frequent, with his back wedged against the corner behind him. A book is in his hands, and a mug in front of him. He’ll take a sip, his attention briefly raised, and then turn the page and lower his gaze to continue reading. Strange; he never seems truly engaged in what he’s doing–more an actor, and the book a prop. He appears caught in a ritual that’s perpetuating itself. I see him only briefly on my way to work, through the windows of the coffee shop. The time is five-thirty. I stop at the drive-thru, pick up my first coffee of the day, and then pull away. Joe seems shrouded in mystery. What compels a man to be reading a book in a coffee shop at this early hour?

***

As I picked up my coffee today, I noticed that Joe wasn’t there. His small table was empty. I wondered why, and punctuated my surprise with an involuntary humph. A few fleeting assumptions crossed my mind: Perhaps Joe had wakened early and already come and gone. Perhaps he was home, sick in bed with the flu. Perhaps he was visiting a friend out of town, or tending to his elderly parents. The perhaps that didn’t cross my mind was revealed to me a few days later, when I inquired via one of the employees at the coffee shop. Joe had died. His body had been found cold and lifeless in the boarding house where he’d lived. Another fact surfaced a few days later: Only one book was found in his room. Strange how life can hit you; and how death can seem a rumour.

Why do I relate this fictionalized account of a man who I actually do see on my way to work? And what could this possibly have to do with the Law of Attraction and achieving our dreams and goals? Am I being maudlin? Or trying to shock people into action before it’s too late? No, not at all. My reason is that I want to remind people to truly live, here and now! Sometimes we become so entranced by the daily rigors of life that we forget that every day is a new day. And that every day comes but once. Under the mesmerizing spell of calendars and daily planners, we often live as though months and years are guaranteed. They are, of course, not.

On some level, many of us may identify with Coffee-Shop Joe; as though we recognize a version of him within ourselves. Do we not sometimes live as though we’re putting in time? Or thwart our dreams by pretending that they’re not really important? And do we not sometimes retreat into the false safety of shadows, and settle for less than we deserve? Deep in our heart, however, we realize that time is passing; that we desire more of life; that an interest or passion or longing is begging to be expressed. Our dreams, which are only truly important if they hold meaning to us, come in every size and shape and form imaginable. Some of them might include:

Building a cabin in the woods.
Writing our first book.
Visiting Paris in the spring time.
Skinny dipping at a local lake.
Buying a one-way ticket to…?
Retiring early, and leaving the nine to five.
Beginning an exercise program.
Eating more healthful foods.
Sailing around the world.
Finding the life partner for whom we’ve longed.
Performing a song on stage for the first time.
Running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
Skydiving or parasailing.
Visiting the Great Pyramids.
Flying over Mount Everest.
Learning a second language.
Beginning a new career.
Helping someone else achieve a life-long dream.

There’s good news, however, even if we must abide by Life’s Rule, which states that Death leaves no survivors–at least in human form. Still, we may triumph. How? By living now, dreaming now, and making the most of our time now! Now is our day in the sun; our chance to sing, dance, rejoice, be grateful, make love, give love, and truly live the time of our life! We need not settle…ever! Don’t we owe it to ourselves to wake up and smell the coffee?

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

The Positive Approach

Prior to beginning our study of the Law of Attraction, we may have assumed we were quite positive minded. When we begin to monitor our thought patterns more deeply, however, we may be surprised to discover otherwise. Our habits of thinking–which are highly repetitive and often negative–didn’t occur overnight; they developed over a lifetime. These habitual ways of thinking are basically our way of being in the world. We’ll examine them more closely through an exercise in applied imagination:

The cable service for our television has been functioning intermittently for the past two months. In addition, we were overcharged on our last bill, for services that aren’t included in our cable package. Realizing that we’re going to have to phone the cable company to clear up the errors, we find the last bill and search for our account number. As we anticipate the call, we notice a subtle but troubling thought pattern arise. Our body tenses, due to negative past experiences of a similar nature. There will be conflict; we just know it. We pick up the phone, with the following thoughts going through our mind: Will the company representative give me a hard time? Will he/she be demanding and abrupt? Will there be a communication problem? Will I be put on hold and forced to listen to that horrible muzak again?

If this or a similar reaction is actually the case, it’s important that we change our thought patterns–the sooner the better. It’s also important that we understand the nature of our world. Everything is connected; in spite of appearances to the contrary. No person is an island, independent of the rest of creation. This also applies to our thoughts, for they’re not limited to our own mind. We sense them, of course, but so do other individuals. We also sense theirs. This will seem more believable if we recall a situation when we felt bad vibes upon meeting a new group of people, perhaps under unfamiliar circumstances. Those feelings–or vibes–are real; and they are meant to serve us.

Continuing with the example: If we place our call with a negative mindset, our underlying attitude will most likely be sensed. We don’t have to know how–but we can trust that it will be. The company representative may then respond with a similar vibe, especially if our tone and choice of words reveal our underlying tension! Escalation of negative vibes can never take us anywhere good!

A wiser approach would be to take a few moments to compose our mind–first! A few slow deep breaths may help. We might also remind ourselves that every call is a new call, every company representative unique, and every situation different. When we deliberately choose our thoughts, we ground ourselves in what is happening now–not what has occurred in the past. This leaves us free to respond, rather than react. It also attunes us to solutions available in the present moment.

Does this guarantee that our call will go smoothly? No! But, we’ll most definitely grow in awareness and gain control of our thoughts, our mind, and our end of the experience. The person with whom we’re communicating may be having a bad day–and reveal that in tone, speech, and manner; but if we remain detached from those vibes, the likelihood of having a pleasant and effective phone call improves dramatically. It’s our best bet in the situation. And who of us doesn’t prefer taking the best bet?

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), here. May it help you in your spiritual journey. 🙏🙏

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Tag: Belief

Mental Eavesdropping

Down Memory Lane

Sweet Glory: Decision

Time for Change

LOA: Cause and Effect

Circumstantial Evidence

The Begetting of Belief

Coffee-Shop Joe

The Power of Belief

The Positive Approach

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