I’m reading a book called, Day by Day with James Allen by Vic Johnson. It has become a part of my daily motivational readings among my other readings. While it was written in 2003, much of what is referenced can be found in our earliest of writings that speak to leadership, self-discovery, or motivation. We might even go back to what was written in the biblical Book of Job.
A consistent theme throughout the book speaks to how our thoughts shape our circumstances and outcomes. My hope is that you will value the references from this book and others that address a simple yet oftentimes difficult concept to implement. However, once done and done consistently with practice, our lives become much better than we could have imagined.
“A person only begins to become the person he [she] wants to be when he [she] ceases to whine and revile [to condemn, despise, or berate], and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his [her] life.”
As A Man Thinketh by James Allen (published in 1903)
“The thing I feared most has come upon me.” Book of Job
Simply stated, when we whine and revile, or let fear guide us, we give power to what we whine about, revile, or fear. Wayne Dyer describes this in his book, You’ll See It When You Believe It.
“I no longer view the world in terms of unfortunate accidents and misfortunes. I know in my being that I influence it all, and now find myself considering why I created a situation, rather than saying, “why me?” This heightened awareness directs me to look inside of myself for answers. I take responsibility for all of it, and the interesting puzzle becomes a fascinating challenge when I decide to influence areas of my life in which I previously believed I was not in control. I now feel that I control it all.”
George Bernard Shaw stated it this way. “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they don’t find them, make them.”
One thing we know for sure. We have the power of choice. The proverbial fork in the road provides two paths – the one well-traveled or the one less traveled. To be comfortable or to challenge ourselves. The short-cut or the longer and sustainable way. Trust or Distrust. Doubt or Confidence. Faith or Fear. We always have a choice. Consequences? Yes. However, if you believe what George Bernard Shaw stated, you get to change your circumstances based on what you believe. As I have stated in a previous blog, we can resign ourselves to say, “why did this happen to me?” or we can say instead, “what lesson am I to learn from this?”
It is not our circumstances, not our spouse, and not our boss… though it is easy to blame something or someone other than ourselves. However, it’s our thoughts that are in control! We can be in control. WE CONTROL OUR THOUGHTS.
“A person is literally what he [she] thinks, his [her] character being the complete sum of all his [her] thoughts.” – As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
To quote Wayne Dyer from the same book above, “Work each day on your thoughts rather than concentrating on your behavior. It is your thinking that creates the feelings that you have and ultimately your actions as well.”
From Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich, “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, you can achieve.” When you truly, deeply believe, there is nothing you cannot achieve. Why is this? I believe it is because you begin to do things that feed your belief and you don’t quit until you arrive to your destination. No matter the obstacle or frustration, you keep moving forward. You see setbacks as a time to pause and learn, reset, or adjust. Determination, commitment, and perseverance will not be denied when we truly believe and have faith. Fear, doubt, and worry have no place in a home or heart of possibility. Let faith be your guide. It is strongest. Be bold, brilliant and beautiful achieving all of your greatness!
So, what is your thought for this moment? What is your thought for your future? What is your ideal life? How committed are you to it? Is it written down? It is clear to you? Can you feel it in your tummy, in your heart? Does it excite you? Are you passionate about it? Are your clear on your first step? Are you ready to set a course with goals, objectives, and mitigations? Are you ready to take a leap of faith and trust that the risks outweigh standing still and being “comfortable”? Again, are your thoughts serving you now? This is the beginning, the foundation, the base from which all good things emerge.
Wallace D. Wattles wrote, “There is no labor from which most people shrink as they do from that of sustained and consecutive thought; it is the hardest work in the world.” Are you ready to commit to yourself, to live your dreams? The test: will you commit to sustained, consecutive thought to realize your dreams, your vision?
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his [her] dreams, and endeavors to live the life he [she] has imagined, he [she] will meet with success unexpected in common hours.”
Henry David Thoreau
And finally, Jim Rohn, wrote, “if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause.” What will you choose?
“Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor,” says Rumi. Whether it is your health, relationships, finances, business clients, justice, everything is rigged in your favor. Breathe, relax, and act accordingly. Live with the intention that everything is in your favor… and act accordingly.
May you confidently decide to take accountability and responsibility for your thoughts, which feed your feelings and emotions, and ultimately affect your actions or behaviors for each and every idea that you imagine, subconsciously or consciously. And too, choose to use your thoughts to serve you best. Use your energy to shed light on your dreams. Be confident in who you are. Be FEARLESS. Believe in yourself knowing that you are and can be all that you will be.
In the words of The Little Engine That Could, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can … [and I did]”.
Much Love and Blessings,
Sherrie
Safe. Secure. Sanitary. Social Spacing. Sanity. Justice. Peace.