You Are Extraordinary!

I’m going to keep things short and to the point in this article. A quote I had shared on my Facebook a few years ago came up on my memories today, and I was reminded of its powerful message. It is by hypnotist Joseph Clough who said, “don’t settle for ordinary when the substance of you is extraordinary.”

Yes indeed, the substance of you, me, and everyone on this planet is extraordinary. That’s because the very substance that is in us, and that is our essence is the spirit of God. This truth is revealed in the Bible in Luke 17:21. It says “the kingdom of heaven (or some translations say the kingdom of God) is within you. Other translations say the kingdom of God is in your midst. I’ve written about this before, (here’s a link if you’re interested), but the dictionary definition of midst is the middle or central part. Other synonyms include the core of or the focal point of something. When you look deeper into the meaning of core, it is defined as the central or most important part of something. The part of something that is central to its existence or character.

This reminds me again, and I share with you, that the central part of us, or the core of who we really are is the spirit of God Himself. The Bible also says that this spirit is one of power and love, not one of timidity and fear. Take a moment to think about this. The core and essence of who you are is the spirit of God.

Now you see why that spirit is with you all of the time, wherever you are. It is in you and everyone else. Since you have this all-powerful, all-knowing spirit as your core wherever you are, how can you settle for anything less than greatness? It’s a rhetorical question because, even though I am more aware of this powerful spirit within me each day, I still find it way too easy to get caught up in the negativity of the world and sell myself short. It happens to most of us. However, the more you realize and focus on the fact that God’s spirit is the core of who you really are, the more positive and powerful you feel. You were made for greatness. You were made for excellence. You were made for success. And you were made to make a positive difference in this world. The great thing is that, since God’s wonderful, awesome spirit is already within you, you already have and already are all of these things! It’s just a matter of focusing on this truth more than focusing on the negativity and fear. That’s how this excellence manifests in your life.

I remind you one more time that the substance and core of you is extraordinary. You already have and already are greatness. Now go out there and demonstrate that greatness with faith and confidence to add positivity and joy to your world, and be a shining light to those who God puts in your path. He is with you the whole time, and you can do all things in His strength. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

A Faithful Way to Bring Great Results

In my study of the power of the mind, I have read many great books. There are some that I have re-read several times. One I am re-reading now is “The Power of the Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy. If you haven’t read this book, and you are seeking powerful new knowledge about the power of your mind, I strongly suggest getting a hold of this book.

As I was reading the book today, an excellent reminder stood out that I feel compelled to share. It is the concept of faith. I’ve shared often about the importance of faith, and that once your faith is strong enough, any necessary action automatically follows. I’ve also shared (and so have millions of others including Jesus) how God acts on our behalf when we have faith. The author of this book provides a very simple but powerful definition of faith. He says, “faith is accepting as true what your senses and reason deny, i.e shutting out of the little, rational, analytical, conscious mind and embracing an attitude of complete reliance on the inner power of your subconscious mind.”(p. 67). I don’t have the necessary time to review the differences between the conscious and subconscious minds, but the basic one is this… your conscious mind is your thinking and logical mind, and it is limited. Your subconscious is the part of the mind where all of your beliefs and memories are stored. It is also connected to the “mind of Christ” we are told we all have as part of us (I Corinthians 2:16). This part of our mind is unlimited.

It is the subconscious mind that enables us and leads us to manifest our desires. Our job is to make sure the subconscious believes this manifestation is possible. For once it does, it is only a matter of time before your dream is realized. One of the most powerful ways to do this is another Bible verse the author mentions in the same chapter. It’s one I share on a regular basis on this site. In fact, it’s my favorite verse in the Bible… Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours(Mark 11:24). In whatever manner you can, your greatest responsibility is to see your wish as already done. See it as already here now. See it as totally accomplished. Act as if you already have what you are seeking. When you do these things, several great things happen. First, you are having that faith that the author says is accepting as true what your senses and reason deny. Also, the Bible verse clearly states that if you believe that you have received it it will be yours!!

I understand this is sometimes easier said than done. The subconscious mind is not easily convinced of new beliefs, especially if you have had the same old negative beliefs for a long time. It may take some time, but it is possible and your beliefs will change if you are persistent. I will say this though…once your subconscious beliefs are changed, you will see the corresponding situations manifest on the outside. There are several ways I have learned to do this:

1. Visualization. This is the easiest and most fun way to see and experience your wish as an accomplished fact. In your mind, you see yourself living your dream. You feel the corresponding emotions. You see what you want to see and do. This is powerful because the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real and imagined event. As you visualize, your subconscious mind believes this is actually happening. It begins to believe its truth, thus increasing your level of faith. Remember, the Bible also says “according to your faith, it will be done for you.” (Matthew 9:29). And you are believing that you are receiving it. And you will!
2. Positive Affirmations. Instead of using images to change your subconscious mind, with affirmations you use words. Most of your current beliefs have been developed by words, either things others told you or you told yourself. With positive affirmations, you are doing this purposely.
3. Hypnosis. Sometimes, it is difficult to maintain the necessary focus to get the maximum effects from visualization. And sometimes your mind fights back with your current beliefs when you try to change them with affirmations. When you use hypnosis, you are putting yourself in a deeply relaxed state. More importantly, you are shutting out your conscious mind and all of its rational beliefs based only on your senses. Instead, it leaves your subconscious mind open to suggestion without fighting it. In a hypnotic state, you are much more able to change those subconscious beliefs. Once that happens, you start living out the new beliefs, the ones you want to see happen.

I realize I am not providing a wealth of detailed information on these topics. I have written about each one in far more detail in other articles and books. You can click on the links I have provided here and check out my book links on this webpage as well for more detailed info about them.

The bottom line is that, in order to change your outer circumstances, you must first change your inner circumstances. When your subconscious mind believes something to be true, then it is, and you will soon experience its truth. Remember to accept your wish as true, even though your senses and logical mind deny it. Believe in your mind that you already have what you desire, and act accordingly. Act with the gratitude and joy you would have if you actually experienced it with our senses. That is true faith. God promises that it is yours if you believe it. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

More Biblical Reflections of the Law of Attraction

I often discuss the power of the Law of Attraction, and the amazing effects it can have on your life. More and more people are beginning to see this. However, sometimes my fellow Christians cringe at this idea that we can actually control the quality of our lives with our thoughts and emotions. After all, we are supposed to leave control of our lives up to God.

I understand this hesitance, especially because I was there at one point. I think so many people have problems with the Law of Attraction because of how it can be used in a negative way. Many people use it in a greedy manner to try to gain as much as they can for themselves. People see that and are turned off by it. I tend to see the Law of Attraction in a positive way and like to promote ways to use it that way. I understand and believe that God should be in ultimate control of our lives. However, he has also given us free will. I believe using that free will to ensure the quality of our thoughts and states of being is using it in a responsible and productive manner.

I have written several articles providing biblical examples of the Law of Attraction. I strongly believe that this law is biblical and as true as the laws of gravity, electricity, or any other. As I research this topic further, I continue to find more examples in the Bible. If you are not familiar, the Law of Attraction states that the quality of your outer life is directly related to the quality of your inner life…your thoughts and emotions. When you think positive, high-quality thoughts and maintain high-level emotions, the life you live is also high quality and rewarding. If you think negative thoughts and your emotions are low-level, you receive more of the same in life.

The most recent verse I found was actually by accident I was looking for something totally different. It comes from Proverbs 27:19 and it says, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” To me, that describes what Law of Attraction is all about. Your outer life reflects what your heart is like. If it is positive and loving, your life will reflect that. If it is negative and nasty, your life will reflect that.

The wonderful thing is that we completely control the quality of our hearts! You can use the God-given free will I mentioned earlier to “guard your heart” (a verse I mentioned in another recent article) and control what you are thinking and feeling. Just as sure as you will fall if you jump off a bridge or receive electricity if you put a plug into an electrical outlet, you will manifest positive experiences if you think positive thoughts. If you feel negative emotions all of the time, you will find yourself in negative situations all of the time. It’s your choice.

As I’ve believed for a long time, and as this verse confirms, your outer life is a reflection of your inner life. Even if you’ve consistently allowed negative thoughts to dominate your mind, this concept doesn’t have to be one you fear. You have full control and ability to monitor your thoughts and feelings. Isn’t that easier than trying to change people and situations that you can’t control? I’m not saying that everything will be totally perfect in your life. God says you will have trials, and negative people aren’t going away. However, I find it empowering that by simply taking control of your inner world, you can make your outer world a very positive place for you and those around you. Once again I ask, what is easier to manage…the billions of other people around you and in our world, the unlimited circumstances in you can encounter, or your own thoughts and feelings? I’ll let you decide 🙂

The New Normal

As we go through this Covid-19 crisis, we hear some often-used terminology that corresponds to it. For example, we hear that “we’re all in this together.” Even though I relate that more to High School Musical, I agree. We are told that our lives will be permanently changed and things won’t be the same as they’ve been. As a result, we’re told that we need to get used to “the new normal” that our society will become.

If I’m being honest, I will say that I have already heard enough of these cliches. Yes, I believe in teamwork and I am very happy to see the world unite for some wonderful causes. I also fully support those that are going way above and beyond their own personal strength to attend to the lives of others. I am also aware that the world as a whole will be different, and some of the things I’ve become accustomed to will be different. I’m just tired of hearing cliches and I prefer to listen for solutions instead. So I politely ask the media to please stop keep telling me about the new normal.

As I thought about this further, I thought about how far I’ve come personally since this whole world lockdown has begun. I am a teacher still working from home, but my available time to spend in self-reflection and in quality family time has significantly increased. Being away from the negative school environment has also completely renewed my mind and soul. I then began thinking about the things I could make the “new normal” in my own life, such as un-accomplished goals, unfinished projects, necessary changes, etc. Here are some things I came up with:

• I am quick to act. Now that I have so much extra time for an indefinite amount of time, I have no reason to procrastinate. I’ve become quite good at that, unfortunately. I know how to fill my mind with great thoughts and to use my imagination to visualize the greatness that my life can be. It’s putting this to work and allowing it to manifest that’s been the problem. But now in this new normal, things get done immediately. The new normal is taking swift action towards what needs to be done to accomplish any task. I’ve already learned some excellent strategies about prioritizing to help maximize my time. Starting early and doing the most necessary tasks at the beginning of the day has helped immensely.
• I am in great physical shape. Boy did I realize how much I had ignored my body in my pre-Corona life. I often take it for granted because I am in good health, and for the most part I appreciate my appearance. However, I’ve been slow to exercise for a long time. I know I would have far more positive energy if I was more active. In the new normal, I exercise regularly and I am in excellent shape. During the past few weeks I found an excellent exercise resource and I’ve been using it to add some spice to my exercise life. This along with regular family walks and some tennis time has led to major progress in this area.
• I am others-focused. I love people and always enjoy learning about different ways that life is lived around the world. However, all through my life I’ve been a little too self-centered for my liking. I know it’s necessary and healthy for me to have quality me time and for my own needs to be met. My own love tank needs to be full before I go trying to fill the tanks of others. However, my own tank is quite full. So it’s time to really focus on filling up others with love. I make attempts to do that through my writing, and actions I do for my family and friends. The new normal in my life is a focus on meeting the needs of others and making a greater difference in this world.
• I am anchored in the present moment. I often write about the benefits of remaining in the present moment. In the now, I am at my greatest point of power. I have nothing to be guilty about from the past, and nothing to worry about for the future. I have everything I desire and I am what I want to be in this moment. I realize how, when life gets busy, I tend to stray from the present. That’s when regret and anxiety creep in. In the new normal, this doesn’t happen. The only moment that matters is the present one, and I stick to it like glue. As a result, my life is empowered, and I take others to this higher level with me.
• I see God in everything. This should actually be first as I “seek first the kingdom of God.” However, I put this one last as it’s the one I want to stick with me the most as I look at this list. Remember, when we seek God first, all else is given to us automatically. In my quest to accomplish things, I sometimes look to the outside and to the goals themselves as the ruling motivation in my life. However, in order to accomplish on the outside, I know I have to be right on the inside. Focusing on God and seeing Him in every person and every thing is where my true motivation should be. Thanking Him for what I have, being joyful, and being in constant communication with him (see I Thessalonians 5:16-18) puts me in a position to bring God maximum glory, and adds immensely to the blessing I desire my life to become. This is the new normal in my life.

So how about you. Let’s put the cliches aside. What’s the new normal in your life going to be starting now? I challenge you to think about that and find ways to put it to practice. I encourage you to share them on the comments here. Doing so will provide more excellent ideas for me to aspire to, and for anyone else reading this as well. Thank you in advance. Enjoy the blessings 🙂