Monday Morning Blues

Monday Blues News

MONDAY! How appropriate to write it in uppercase letters because it’s a big day of the week; a day that’s dreaded–even hated–by a large percentage of the masses. Why? Because it signals the start of another work week, which for many individuals has come to symbolize paying our dues and putting our nose to the grindstone. We will breath easy, however, after Wednesday–often considered hump day–and then slide our way to Friday, the grandest day of the week by popularity poll. There’s another reason, however, that makes Monday an infamous day of the week.

According to an article published by LiveScience (April 18, 2016), which analyzed data collected from the Center for Disease Control over a fifteen-year period in the United States, deaths due to heart attacks peaked on Monday mornings. Other articles gleaned from the internet confirm this and offer various explanations; the most common relating to an increase in two stress hormones called cortisol and adrenaline. And why would this be? We can prove nothing, but those of us who study and deliberately apply the Law of Attraction may surmise that the effects are related to the thought of returning to work.

For individuals who desire to create a more positive and empowering life, let’s contemplate what we may be doing to ourselves: Does it really make sense to blame a day of the week for causing us so much stress? If so, we can logically ask ourselves when Monday actually becomes a bad day? Is it just after the stroke of midnight? Is it midway through the night? Or is it after we have wakened; and if so, before or after we shower? Further: How many Mondays are required to wreak the lethal effects? One hundred? Two hundred? A thousand? These few questions–posed tongue in cheek–are intended to cause us to reflect on our role in the link between what we’re thinking and the effects being created in our body.

In the interest of improving our life–perhaps even saving it–let’s consider a few different labels that we could choose to attach to Monday:

Glory! I’m alive!
Another day to live to the fullest!
A chance to serve! What good may I bring to the world?
Monday Morning Magic!
One seventh of the week–and I’m going to enjoy it!

So what’s the truth? This: Monday becomes a bad day only when we think it a bad day. If left alone, free of any negative beliefs, Monday has no inherent badness to it–not even if surrounded by a thousand black cats, or littered with spilled salt shakers and tempting ladders under which to walk. It is we who make it fair or foul; dreaded or delightful. There’s no logical reason why Monday cannot be every bit as good as Friday.

What’s wasted by having negative thoughts about Monday? Based on sixty-one years of an average lifespan of eighty-one, including years after retirement (the effects of negative programming remain even when we’re no longer working), a person would have consciously or subconsciously dreaded approximately 3,172 days. Seems a waste, doesn’t it? What can we do to improve the situation? As always: change our thinking. We might be pleasantly surprised at what Monday–a perfectly good day of the week–has to offer.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. Please share this article if you believe it holds value. 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”

Alert to Advertising

Whether we realize it or not, we’re the object of advertising. Every day, we’re bombarded by it from every angle and avenue–from billboards, through print, via television and the internet. It’s an inescapable part of our life, especially for those of us who live in the developed world. The word “advertise” is defined by the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as follows:

to make something known to: notify.
to announce publicly and make generally known.
to call public attention to especially by emphasizing desirable qualities so as to arouse a desire to buy or patronize

Why, though, is advertising so predominant? And why are company executives, political parties, and governments willing to spend billions on it?

For one important reason: They realize that if they can capture our attention, and place their beliefs into our mind, that we’re more likely to behave in ways that benefit them. Until the thought of their vehicles is in our mind, automobile manufacturers realize we’re unlikely to show up in their showrooms. Until the thought of their political agenda is in our mind, politicians realize they’re unlikely to get our votes. Until the thought of their travel destinations is in our mind, governments realize we’re unlikely to visit their countries and spend our valuable resources. To have their thoughts in our mind is the goal.

It’s possible, however, to see through the illusion that the advertising world attempts to foist upon us. Strong men and women choose to think deliberately, and are far less subject to the whims of others. They realize that the strongest currency they possess is their thinking! By the strength of their inner being, they determine which thoughts and beliefs will be granted entry to their consciousness. Anything less is reserved for the world of puppetry and invisible strings.

What many people may not realize is that we’re advertising to our self, via the thoughts we think and the words we speak, in every waking moment of the day. In many cases, our personal advertising campaigns can be ruthless. What a dummy, I am! I’m worthless, useless, disgusting! I’ll never be good enough, smart enough, attractive enough! The negative inner narrative goes on and on; hour after hour, and day after day. We also advertise to ourselves when we look into a mirror and cast a frown or look of displeasure at the very body that houses our divine spirit! How, though, may we free ourselves from such advertising? By stopping it–now and forever! We must replace it with gratitude and unconditional love toward self.

What points may be taken from this article? That it’s possible to detach from so much of what the world would have us believe. That we’re wise to be aware of the thoughts and beliefs we’re advertising to our own mind That it’s imperative to consciously choose what we accept as our personal reality. Do we entertain positive thoughts that empower us? Do we think I can more often than we think I can’t? Do we believe that good health, abundant wealth, and great success are within our reach? And lastly, we may ask this: Who decides what’s allowed entry into my mind? To be governed by anything less than our true Self is to remain in bondage.

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Motorcycling My Way

Motorcycling has been a passion of mine for many years. It not only clears my mind but also makes me feel vibrantly alive–attuned to nature and the present moment. For individuals who desire to learn more about deliberate creation, I believe that the way I ride provides a valuable example of the Law of Attraction in action.

About four years ago, a paramedic colleague asked me if I still rode. I replied yes; that I had recently returned from an 18,000-kilometer trip. He then told me that his last call had been to a motorcycle accident involving a fatality. He shook his head and said the odds were against all motorcyclists. Let’s contemplate what my colleague mentioned about motorcycling. Is it not true that motorists driving cars and trucks die in crashes each year? Must they, too, believe their safety comes down to a roll of the dice? Would so many people venture onto the roads if this were the case? The teachings of the Law of Attraction have led me to very different conclusion:

All of us hold certain beliefs, many of which we’ve adopted without careful scrutiny for validity or truth. Some of them work for us, and some against. It’s just the way it is. With regard to motorcycling, my personal–and absolute–belief is that I will always be safe while riding. This belief is unshakable; I feel it at the core of my being. If I believed that safe riding came down to luck, I would not ride. Ever.

To be effective creators, our beliefs and actions must be congruent; in other words, they must align. If we’re thinking in one manner and yet acting in another, it’s impossible to manifest what we desire. Therefore: I check the condition of my motorcycle prior to every ride. Always. I check my lights, turn and brake signals, oil, tires, and horn. This routine actually serves to prepare me, as much as it relates to checking my bike. Further: Every time I set off to ride, I state an affirmation–silently (if surrounded by people) or aloud (if out on the road) that serves me well. Faithfully I say: “I am a safe, skillful, alert, and excellent rider, and my riding skills improve each day.” Do I believe this mantra magically keeps me safe? No. Here, logically, is how it works:

Through my affirmation, I’m deliberately programming my mind for the results (effects) that I desire. I desire to be safe; to be skillful; to be an alert and excellent rider. And every time I repeat my affirmation, I’m sending my clear intention to The Universe. By doing so, I am by no means suggesting that safe riding will occur by chance–I am willing it to be so. I perform my part by riding in a manner congruent with safety, and The Universe (which is always working for me–not against) fulfills Its role by informing me how to achieve the results I intend.

How does The Universe manage this? Subtly, in ways that I can neither plan nor anticipate. I have absolute faith, however, that The Universe will respond according to my deepest intentions. The way manifests spontaneously. I might be riding an expressway when I intuitively realize that I should pull over for a brief rest or a drink of water and a snack. I might also be prompted to shy away from a vehicle, veer to a different road, or check in early at a motel and call it a day. Unfailingly, I follow these instincts.

The point of this article is not to convince anyone to begin motorcycling; it’s to share an example of the way The Universe communicates. Some people may actually hear a voice, detailing action to take. Others may experience an unshakable knowing. Others, yet, may interpret a mystical meaning from a seemingly routine occurrence. Although the manner varies, the method is always of two-way communication. It applies to all of our intentions–all of the time. If we desire better health, we will be guided. If we desire greater wealth, we will be guided. If we desire assistance with a life challenge, we will intuit a solution.

This life is more magical and mysterious than most individuals may realize. Underlying all of it, however, is order, rhythm, balance, and natural laws. The Law of Attraction is just one of them. We may trust, too, that we will not be forsaken. Far from it. In fact, the more we trust The Universe, the more easily we’re going to ride through life.

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”

Seeking the “Right”

Everyone who lives long enough can attest to the following: Life can deliver a multitude of challenges. They come in all shapes and sizes. They can be long term or short term, major or minor, critical or relatively trivial. We know this, too: When such challenges appear, it can be all too easy to slip into a victim mentality in which we believe that life is against us. This attitude must be avoided. Why? Because it not only disempowers us but also makes us dependent on circumstances which–by their very nature–are always changing. When approached with the right attitude, however, challenges provide opportunity for growth and greater awareness. What, though, is the key to living this way?

PRESENCE. By staying calm, aware, and alert; by remaining anchored in the here and now; by being with the very challenge that we instinctively want to deny. When we remain present, we stay connected to an Intelligence–Source–which is much greater than our own. The opposite–to allow our mind to be driven by old reactive thinking–actually prevents us from receiving inspiration that will help us solve our challenges. To be present is to be with Source. An example may help:

Our car is making strange noises, and we take it to be repaired. At the car dealership, we’re told that the problem doesn’t sound too severe, and that the repair shouldn’t take very long. We’re given an estimate of the cost, and we leave the car overnight. The following morning, the Service Manager calls and informs us that the mechanic has discovered several other problems, some of which relate to safety concerns. The cost of the repairs has increased by several hundred dollars, and the car will have to be left another full day. When we get off the phone, we realize that reactive thinking is running through our awareness. “How can this be!” we think. “They just want my money! What a rip off! I need my car now!”

Here is where seeking the right actually serves our greater good! The sooner that we seek and find the right in any situation, the sooner we reclaim our power! A few questions related to the example may help us understand this more clearly: Is it not better that the safety concerns were discovered? Are we not fortunate that the problems can be fixed? Is safe driving not worth the price involved in the repair? Is it realistic to expect that our car should never require such maintenance? Would it truly be better if the problems went undetected? Or, can we seek the right and rest easy–and grateful–that the problems are being repaired?

Although the example may seem oversimplified, or even unrealistic, the benefit of training our mind to seek the right should not be discounted. Right mental action has tremendous value that can be applied in countless situations! Are we dissatisfied with our career, our relationship, our health, or finances? A change of attitude–which is really a change in thinking–may help us find what’s positive right here, right now!

Life ultimately comes down to us, and our attitude toward it. To expect that the world will always unfold as we might expect, demand, or prefer is to be delusional. Our true power lies within. A scripture from Luke: 11: 5-13 may help us understand this teaching: Ask and it will be given; seek and ye shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Does this mean that a deity in the sky will deliver what we desire? No. And the scripture has nothing to do with being holy or deserving. It means that through right government of our mind, we may discover an improved state of consciousness. When we find the right within, we’re going to experience right in the world without. This change, as always, involves an inner transformation.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Law of Attraction Luggage

Bob is a business man. He’s forty-two, married, and the father of three children. He has worked for the same company in the same city for almost fifteen years. He lives in a nice house in the suburbs. He pays his bills, does as others expect of him, and leads (as Henry David Thoreau so eloquently expressed) a life of quiet desperation. From Monday to Friday, week after week, he drives forty-five kilometers to his office and begins yet another day of tasks that he believes he must perform. And every day, he takes with him one piece of luggage (his mind) in which he carries the following:

If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.
Life is never going to get any better!
It’s too late for me to change.
It’s all downhill after forty.
I’m trapped.
Life is hard.

However, one night, after a particularly grueling day at the office, Bob goes to bed early and falls into a deep sleep. In his sleep–in a dream that’s clear, distinct, and real–a voice informs him that if he changes his thinking, his life will change! The voice also tells him that he can set aside the worn out contents of his luggage at any time and that he’s free to think, believe, and act how he wishes! In his new luggage, he excitedly packs the following:

I easily attract great health, great wealth, and great success!
I’m surrounded by endless opportunities!
I’m free–to think, to believe, to act!
I have faith in the goodness of life!
It’s never too late!
Life is on my side!

When Bob awakens the following morning, he feels more alive than he has felt in years. The world seems new and vibrantly alive. He feels awakened to the glorious newness of the day; to a world of opportunity just waiting to be discovered! And fortunately for Bob, that inspiring dream in which he realized his own freedom has stayed with him. In particular, he remembers this: If I change my thinking, my life will change.

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

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

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

Law of Attraction: Inner Work

When we begin our study of the Law of Attraction, the notion that we attract according to the nature of our thoughts may initially seem odd. This is only natural, for we’ve been conditioned to view life much differently. From a young age, we’ve been taught–by parents, peers, teachers, and others in authority–to yield our power unconsciously; to let our state of natural joy be dictated by the world of circumstance. As we become more knowledgeable, however, we gradually accept the truth of the teachings and settle into a new way of living. This new way includes what I term inner work.

What do I mean by inner work? Work that’s connected with who we are on the inside, at the level of our soul or innermost Being. We may become aware of this inner dimension at any time, for it arises frequently in both joyful and painful situations. Often, however, we become more acutely aware of it when something feels wrong or strangely misaligned. It’s important to understand inner work for two reasons: to develop a greater awareness of who we actually are, and also to manifest more effectively in the here and now. An example may help make this more clear:

Let’s imagine that we’ve driven to a neighbouring town or city. We’ve done some shopping or met with some friends and had a good time. However, on our way home we find that we’re stuck behind three or four vehicles, all of which seem to be moving more slowly than we would prefer. For a few minutes, we feel fine; but as the kilometers roll by without an opportunity to pass, we’re overtaken by a subtle frustration. Something feels wrong. The world is not operating according to the way we believe it should!

In such a situation, it’s important to be aware of that inner work to which I’ve alluded. We are wise to know that what feels wrong actually resides within us! Nowhere outside of our own perspective is anything actually wrong! The vehicles in the example are travelling at the posted speed, and actually pose no threat to our safety. With our knowledge that like attracts like, we realize that feelings of frustration and impatience can only attract more situations of a similar nature! How, then, do we break the cycle?

We break it through awareness. By being present in the moment. By living as the silent witness of our thoughts, not slave to them! When negative thoughts and feelings arise, we may acknowledge them and bid them farewell–by not engaging them further! We might imagine a Reset Button that we can press to redirect the focus of our attention. Remember: It is only we who empower thoughts–through our participation in them! Every time we consciously and deliberately choose a positive focus, we take a giant leap toward freedom! And with that freedom, we become more capable of creating the life-enriching results that we desire.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

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

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Tag: Inspiration

Monday Morning Blues

Alert to Advertising

Motorcycling My Way

Seeking the “Right”

Law of Attraction Luggage

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Mental Eavesdropping

Down Memory Lane

Law of Attraction: Inner Work

Sweet Glory: Decision

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