The Mirror Called Life

A human incarnation provides the opportunity to learn more about ourselves, our nature, and our way of Being. Through the teachings of the Law of Attraction, we learn that we attract, or create, in accordance with our habitual thoughts and feelings. We understand that apparently external circumstances are not, in fact, independent; but actually reflections of who we “are.” This may turn some students away, because we’re asked to accept that we have created, perhaps subconsciously, the conditions of our ifle. It demands that we acknowledge more of our responsibility. To explore this at a deeper level, please contemplate the imaginary day in the life of John Doe. It’s a day without the mirror called Life.

Thursday, July 12th: Mr. John Doe (who’s thirty-five, father of three, and a carpenter) drives to his work site, picks up his tools, and begins his day. He hammers nails, saws lumber, and shouts orders to his crew. He climbs ladders, helps raise a wall, and speaks with his foreman. He eats, drinks coffee, and goes to the washroom. After a number of hours, he climbs into his truck and drives home. When he enters his house, his wife asks him how his day went. With a puzzled expression, John replies, “I don’t know. I know that I pounded nails, cut some 2 x 6’s, ate, drank, and urinated several times. “Do you know what you built?” she asks. And to this, he says, “I haven’t a clue.”

As ridiculous as this example seems, it can still help us understand the workings of life. How could we ever know who we were becoming if it wasn’t reflected in our circumstances? Without a feedback loop how would we learn? We could be as clueless as John Doe; who didn’t know whether he was building a bungalow or a barn.

A few questions may help: Are your beliefs about love building wonderful relationships? Are your beliefs about success building lasting significance? Are your beliefs about health creating vigor and a balanced lifestyle? Are your beliefs about prosperity creating a life that’s reflects true wealth? Without the mirror of life, and the reflection of people, experiences, and circumstances, our state of being would remain a mystery. Without the mirror. we could never evolve because we wouldn’t know the outcome of our daily experiments. With this understanding, we realize that life is actually teachings us; it’s on our side.

Our soul task, if we care to embrace it, is to express the best version of ourselves in this moment. And then the next, and the next after that. As nothing remains static, we can only do our best in this moment. The quality of our thinking is integral to our success as human beings and the results that we experience. Choose wisely–the mirror called life is always reflecting.

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” 🙏🏻🧡

The LOA Whisperer

Psssst. Psssssst! Hey you, are you listening? That’s right, I’m talking to you. I thought I’d check in and see how you’re doing with the Law of Attraction–deliberately, that is. I realize that you’re relatively new to the teachings, and I wanted you to know that you’re not alone. I’m here for you.

Are you putting the teachings–namely that we bring about what we think about–into practice? Are you finding it easier to choose the nature of your thoughts? How about last week, or yesterday, when that guy cut you off in traffic? Were you able to stay strong and focused, realizing that it just is what it is? Did you use the experience to empower yourself? If not, keep the faith. And what about at that recent party, when people were gossiping and talking negatively about the state of the world? Were you able to remain detached, and choose to focus on all the good that’s occurring? Are you responding more, and reacting less? That’s a huge step; for it proves that you’ve made space for the power of choice. Are you beginning to realize that you can accept or reject any train of thoughts? And how about your vision for your future? Are you deliberately taking a few minutes each day to look at your written goals and visualize them as existing now?

If you’re finding it challenging, please be patient. Selectively choosing your thoughts gets much easier as you make it a habit. The idea of controlling your thoughts may seem difficult at first, but when you begin to see positive results–in your state of health, wealth, and success–it becomes much easier. It’s all about positive momentum. I’ve got two tips that are going to make manifesting positive change in your life much easier:

Tip One: Willpower. Most people believe that the use of willpower relates to work, namely working harder and longer, followed by increasing effort. These people believe that you have to force life, at the physical level. That’s the hard way; basically like pushing boulders up hill, day after day. You might ask Sisyphus, of Greek mythology, about that! The most powerful and effective use of the will is related to our thinking. When we use willpower this way, two things happen: The first is that we introduce change at the level of cause (because we know that positive thoughts lead to positive feelings, actions, habits, and results). The second is that we assume our rightful position as Spirit above thoughts. Our thoughts are intended to serve us; not the other way around! If our thoughts are using us we need to change that hierarchy; and the sooner the better!

Tip Two: Love. When we realize the importance of love, especially self-love, we begin to make giant strides in what we’re deliberately manifesting. Let’s look at an example: When we love ourselves enough to care about the state of our health, we’ll deliberately choose health-related thoughts because we realize that thoughts aligned with health lead to positive habits that lead to positive actions and, in turn, positive results! The same logic applies to our wealth, relationships, and degree of success in other aspects of our life.

I’m going to go for now, but I’ll be back. Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re gaining in strength and insight. I believe in you, and I know that you can effect the positive change that you desire. You know how to do it: one..thought…at…a…time.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Worry? Not!

We who desire to create our lives deliberately–through a better and wiser understanding of the Law of Attraction–realize that what we manifest is directly connected to what we’re thinking. We accept this as truth. It’s logical. Evolution, we realize, is best accomplished through greater awareness of what’s going on in our mind. We also realize that to manifest more effectively, we must govern how we think, feel, speak, and act.

Knowing this, we become selective about the thoughts we entertain. Just as we wouldn’t nonchalantly toss our car keys to a madman and say “Drive it as you please” we, similarly, don’t allow our mind to drive us. We’re in the driver’s seat. We drive. We choose, deliberately, to focus upon our favourable habits of mind, and let negative habits fall away. One such negative habit is that of worry. Most people may view it as a harmless pasttime; but that’s not the case. The following verse from Job 3:25 reveals the harmful effects of a negative mindset: “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”

The best explanation regarding the subject of worry that I know came to me via a daily email from Abraham Hicks, which is well known in the Law of Attraction community. The following isn’t a quote, but it relates the gist of the message: When you’re thinking, you’re planning. And when you’re worrying, you’re also planning. Can you see the truth of this? When we’re thinking, we’re deliberately applying our mental focus toward a certain goal. We may be thinking about an upcoming trip, a business venture, a home we’d like to build, or even a romantic interest. In such a case, the subject of our thought focus is positive–and the outcome desired. Conversely, with worry, the subject of our thought focus is negative–and the outcome undesired. The thoughts may be along these lines; I hope I don’t fail the exam. I hope I’m not late. What if I don’t have enough money? With both processes we’re applying creative energy toward a specific subject. Remember: All thought is creative. Worry serves no useful purpose at all.

When we realize the power of our mind, and how it responds to our habitual thoughts, we will understand the importance of wisely choosing our focus. The next time we hear someone say “You can worry about that later,” we’ll know there’s a wiser approach. In fact, we might deliberately choose to do as the following quote from Henry David Thoreau advises: If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. There’s truth in those words.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Chains of Fate

Years ago, I read about a training method that is sometimes used to confine elephants to a certain area. The technique is very simple: When the elephant is a young calf, a trainer pounds a stake into the ground and then attaches a substantial chain to it and a clasp around the elephant’s leg. At first, the elephant–which is naturally curious to explore–attempts to pull against the chain; but when it does, the clasp digs into its leg and inflicts pain. Every time the elephant attempts to free itself, it feels the pain. The elephant ultimately becomes resigned and accepts its fate. It just hurts too much to attempt to break free.

This method proves most useful to the trainer when the elephant reaches maturity. A chain is still placed on the leg of the full-grown elephant–which, at this point, is big enough to easily break it–but the painful old programming keeps the elephant confined. How could this be? Because the elephant just doesn’t realize that it could be free…if it would only try.

You probably realize why I’m sharing this with you. It is, of course, for the parallel lesson that may be applied to humans and the goals we desire to manifest. All of us have endured painful lessons in life. And those lessons–whatever they may be–are still present in our mind. We may be conscious of many of them, but others are functioning at a subconscious level. The point is that they are still there; preventing us from reaching our full potential in much the same way that the chain kept the elephant confined.

Over time, we may have subconsciously resigned ourselves to the notion of a power outside of ourselves. Due to these Chains of Fate, we may rationalize that our dreams are impossible to achieve; that Life just didn’t intend for us to be healthier, wealthier, fall in love, or be more successful. The truth of the matter, however, is that we can reach beyond such limitations if we only realize that we are free! The past can only confine us if we fail to recognize our power!

Our true nature is that of unlimited potential, for we’ve been given the greatest mental faculty on the planet: the ability to think! We may also exercise our power to choose! Through our ability to think and choose, we may determine the degree of success we enjoy. Here–right now, this very minute–is our chance to slip out of any self-imposed Chains of Fate and take that first step toward the dreams we desire to manifest.

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”

Become a Better You!

Jim Rohn (1930 – 2009) was a master when it came to motivating people. Sincere, knowledgeable, and personable, he possessed the magic ability to convey teachings that helped thousands, if not millions, of people achieve their goals. Using everyday language, he shared nuggets of wisdom that we could apply. One such nugget related to the following:

Early in his career–when he was first learning to apply the techniques to create a better life–he was feeling impatient. He wondered when life was going to get better. He was working hard and applying himself, but nothing seemed to be improving. He wondered if life would improve when the economy changed. He wondered if life would improve when his company changed. He wondered if life would improve if this, that, and the other thing changed. Finally, a mentor told him the truth: Life, and the results he experienced, would improve when Jim changed! The mentor obviously understood that circumstances are an effect of our state of being.

How can changing ourself possibly make a difference? Isn’t the world independent of who we are? No, in fact, there’s not separation. The person we are–literally–and the results we experience in this world are one-in-same. Through this system, we’re enabled to see ourselves; to realize what needs to be improved or left the same. By becoming a better person, we will attract results that reflect that improvment. Kinder thoughts, words, and deeds will attract their gentler counterparts in reality. An attitude of being more prosperious within will be reflected as greater prosperity without. Anais Nin obviously knew this when she wrote: We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.

Doubt that this can be true? That’s good; because true knowledge isn’t gained by merely copying what others know but through our own understanding. If courageous, however, you’ll realize that you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by examining your own character. Take a look at your own traits. Is there room for improvement? Could you expand in your understanding of the world? Could you grow stronger, wiser, more tolerant in an aspect of your Being? Would you want to have you as a friend? If not, an experiment toward creating a better you may be time well spent.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Do “Something”

I remember a period of my life when I held a very different set of beliefs. During that time, if I didn’t know where a step might lead I didn’t take it. This desperate need to know was due to a fear-based paradigm; which, we remember, is a deeply-held collection of beliefs operating in the subconscious. It kept me limited for years. By living that way, I missed out on a tremendous number of opportunities. The good news is that way anymore. If you can relate, I hope this post will help you move beyond your fears and capitalize on the opportunities that surround you.

Now, I better understand the psychology involved. I behaved that way because I was very afraid. Why? Because, one wrong action might figuratively lead me to water that was over my head. I might find myself in a situation that would frighten me, embarrass me, or reveal a weakness. Such thinking is from the ego; the false little self that’s deeply concerned with how it appears to others.

Can you learn from my life lesson? Is it time for you to change your focus and concentrate on what might be gained by saying “yes” to an opportunity, instead of what might be lost? Will the world truly come to an end if an action you take doesn’t lead precisely where you assumed that it would? And isn’t there the chance–a Great Chance–that an opportunity taken might lead you in the direction of your dreams?

Such daring steps lead us forward and nurture a much different belief system. They help us believe in ourselves, our power, and our inherent strength. Through them, we build faith in our abilities; faith that we’re stronger than any challenge; faith that we’re moving closer to the life we secretly desire.

Consider this: Would the sky actually fall if you write that novel you’ve been yearning to write? Likewise, would dark clouds immediately appear on the horizon if you began to paint, sing, build, or dance? The answer, of course, is “No.” By taking action you would be displaying faith in yourself. Do yourself a favour: Be brave enough to do something. Today.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Come Fly with Me

For many people who are new to Law of Attraction teachings, the notion that we control the quality of our life (read, create our own destiny) by the nature of our thoughts may seem ludicrous. But. Ludicrous is what the masses thought regarding the idea of manned flight…until the Wright Brothers were carried aloft at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903. Orville and Wilbur Wright obviously knew a thing or two, but especially this: We’ll never get our plane off the ground if we keep reminding ourselves why it can’t fly!

Let’s set some ground work regarding the Law of Attraction: We are attracting to ourselves-, by the nature and intensity of our thoughts and feelings, the situations and experiences of our life. Accept this as fact. Negative thoughts create negative outcomes; positive thoughts create positive outcomes. The logic works as follows: Thoughts lead to feelings; feelings to actions; actions to habits; and habits to results. So how can we apply the Wright Brothers’ spirit of invention and adventure to our lives?

We may gain more understanding by examining our own thinking. Imagine, if you will, that you’re doing your best to learn a new skill. Let’s say that you’re learning how to drive. On that first day behind the wheel, everything seems new; perhaps frighteningly so. You’ve been taught that you should check your mirrors this often; accelerate at just the right time; brake with varying degrees of pressure depending on the nature of the situation. All of the information may seem overwhelming. But…

Here’s the good news: If you were once in this very situation–of learning how to drive–you instinctively realize the importance of watching your thoughts. You know that thinking I can do this ultimately helps you earn your driver’s licence, and perhaps your first car, That thought pattern, of desire linked with a positve mindset, is of utmost importance in reaching our goals! If we catch our mind attempting to drive us, it’s imperative that we again take control. The mind is our vehicle, and we are its driver!

Want to experience greater success in your degree of health, wealth, career, and relationships? Then come fly with me to a higher altitude! Allow yourself to be carried aloft in the same manner that Orville and Wilbur did–by the strength of your convictions!

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

What Are You Telling Yourself?

So, you’re running late for an appointment, and you’re ready to leave your home when you realize that you’ve misplaced the keys to your car. If you’re like the majority of people, you’ll begin a mad search; looking on the top of your dresser, the key holder at the entrance to your home, or your purse or pockets. As the minutes tick by, and you feel the mounting pressure to leave, there will most likely be an interior dialogue squawking in the background of your mind that might sound like the following:

“Oh, God, I’m never going to find these keys!”
“I’m going to be late; I just know it!”
“I don’t have time for this nonsense!”
“I can’t see them! Why can’t I see them?”
“This is just like me! I’m so stupid!
“Today of all days!”

If any of that dialogue sounds familiar you’re not alone. Is that dialogue harmless? Hardly, and here’s why. What we habitually tell ourselves is a reflection of our inner thoughts. Those inner thoughts are creating our future. In effect, we’re programming our reality in much the same way that a computer is programmed. There’s an well-known phrase in the computing world that states: garbage in; garbage out. It means that the success of the computer system will only be as good as what’s programmed into it. Humans are no different!

How the above dialogue actually brings an effect in our real world is simple. For every time that we tell ourselves “I can’t find my keys!” we’re programming the mind not to alert us to the keys even if they’re actually there. A little proof of the above, which many may have experienced, is when someone–perhaps a spouse or partner, proceeds to look in the very same drawer or coat pocket that we have just searched. Exasperated, we say that we’ve already looked there, only to have the person triumphantly shout that he/she found the keys…in the exact place that we had already searched!

Why could this actually happen so often? The answer, which I can’t prove, is simple to understand. The spouse/partner is using a different program, one with very different dialogue playing in the background. In fact, the person may take great delight in finding something that we couldn’t find. Chances are the helper was thinking: “I know I can find those keys; I know I can.”

The good news is that we can change our programming, by conscious effort. We can program ourselves in ways that are beneficial to us in every aspect of our life. It doesn’t take a genius to realize the difference that positive internal dialogue could make regarding a new business, a weight loss program, an exercise plan, or a new skill that we’re trying to master.

What we’re telling ourselves literally matters, as the events and circumstances of our life. This practice is worth putting to the text the next time you misplace your keys. Just tell yourself something positive.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Four-Minute Focus

four-minute-mile

Until May 6, 1954, the distance of a mile had never been run in under four minutes. Think of it: four minutes; all to cover 1,760 yards, 5,280 feet, or 1609.34 meters–whatever terms you may use to define the distance. The point is, to cover that distance–that fast–is still smoking hot! At least for a human. The math works out to 15 miles per hour.

For many years, people believed that running a sub four-minute mile was an absolute impossibility. They believed that the human body could only move so quickly; that other, opposing forces, were somehow ruling against us. That belief stood–seemingly solid, impenetrable, concrete–until crumbling under the belief and ability of one man. That man was Roger Bannister, running under the indomitable power of his spirit.

There is a rumour that I’m going to use for the purpose of this post; it matters not whether it holds a bit of truth. Years ago, I read that in preparation for his famous mile run, Roger wrote a time–sub four minutes–on a slip of paper and placed it in his shoes. Just imagine how keeping his desire close could have helped him achieve his goal.

What I’m suggesting is that we, too, can write a note to ourselves…about any goal that we choose. In doing so, we’ll place our focus on what we desire, leaving nothing to fate. Periodically, we should look at our goal, drink it in with absolute faith, even if we’re unaware of how we can possibly achieve it. By doing so, we are exercising faith, without which no great achievement was ever accomplished!

Now, I ask you: What will you write on your slip of paper? Do you wish to lose a few pounds? If so, write an affirmation, phrased in the present tense, as though you’re at your ideal weight…NOW. If it’s more financial prosperity you desire, write that goal on a slip of paper and refer to it often. Believe that you have it NOW. Greater relationships? More success in a specialized field? Travel goals? You know what to do. Doing so helps bring the intangible to earth, where we may act to experience our dreams in the here and now.

While we’re at it, I think we, too, could well put four minutes (at least) to good use each day by sitting quietly, calmly, imagining the life that we desire. By doing so, we’ll be planting goals–like seeds of intention–into our minds. Through repetition, our subconcious will accept this new belief as fact, and urge us–through our intuition–to act in such a way that will lead to the actual creation of that desire. In time–if we are patient and hold faith–we will feel inspired to act without questioning. The more we trust, and act upon the inspiration we receive, the closer we will move toward the fulfillment of our goals. Stress, worry, and anxiety are the antithesis of faith; they actually–literally–move us further away from that which we desire to achieve. In any moment, however, through our power of focus, we may use our mind wisely and deliberately choose the thoughts we think.

Oh, by the way. The current record for a human running the mile is held by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morroco. The time stands at 3:43.13.

Dare to dream.

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. To view my ebook entitled Hold That Thought, please press here.

“Thank You” & Note to Publishers

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Tag: Psychology

The Mirror Called Life

The LOA Whisperer

Worry? Not!

Chains of Fate

Become a Better You!

Do “Something”

Come Fly with Me

What Are You Telling Yourself?

Four-Minute Focus

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