The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind
by Joseph Murphy

This book has been one of my inspirations over the years. It was one of the first books I read about the subconscious mind. It addresses how your subconscious mind works, how affirmations work
to transform your life. It has chapters dealing with various aspects of life, and how to change them. It is a classic, and is a very easy read.

Many years ago, I took a cab to a conference, and started talking with the cab driver. It turned out that he used this book as his bible. I’ve heard this same sentiment from many other people over the years. I keep returning to this book time and time again, whenever I need to align myself with my Source.

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by Linda-Ann Stewart

Resistance to change is normal, natural, and a human quality. People tend to resist letting go of things that they value, even if they’ve outlived their usefulness. A raggedy pair of slippers, a friendship that has gone astray, a residence that is too big or expensive for them now. They try to avoid the feelings of loss that many times come with change by sticking with things that no longer serve their Highest Good. Even if they know it’s a change for the better, they delay it as long as possible and thus make the situation worse.

Most people won’t embrace change, even if their current situation is intolerable. “The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.” It’s easier to deal with what is familiar, even if it’s toxic, stressful, or harmful. A person will put up with an abusive boss or nasty job situation rather than looking for a new one. When a close relationship has become stagnant, many people would rather grit their teeth and remain rather then cutting the cord and face the world as a single person.

To change, they have to step forward into the unknown, and it feels scary, threatening and dangerous. Therefore, they plant their feet, and oppose moving forward, even when the Universe is pushing them in that direction. Fear is the true reason for their reluctance. They don’t want to adjust to something new and they’re afraid that it won’t be as good as what they have. They don’t trust the Universe to have something better in store for them.

When they resist change, then their current condition gets even worse. “What you resist, persists.” That’s because they’re putting energy into the resistance, rather than using that energy to create something better. And the more energy they direct into staying put, the deeper the hole they dig, and the stronger the Universal force will be to get them moving. In a tug-of-war, two sides are pulling against each other. No one wins until one overpowers the other. Guess who prevails when battling with the Universe?

The Universe has a broader perspective of their lives than they could ever have. When they ask for guidance or a miracle in a particular matter, they may not like the answer. Sometimes they have a particular way they want their prayer to be answered. The solution the Infinite has for them may not be the one they want. Because of their shortsighted perspective (versus the Universe’s long range view), they then judge the answer, labeling it negative and unacceptable.

Here are three steps to help you break the stalemate and move forward.

1. Begin to accept what is.
If you are in over your head with bills, accept that’s what’s happening, instead of trying to ignore it. With a relationship gone sour, recognize the fact and face it. Instead of continuing to hate your body for being overweight, allow yourself to simply accept that it is. This doesn’t mean that you have to settle for the current situation. But acknowledgement and acceptance means that you’re no longer wasting energy in ignoring or resisting it. That energy can now be used to create something different and better.

2. Ask for Divine guidance for the best outcome.
Keep your actual goal in mind, but not “how” it has to come about. When you decide the means of how your desire must manifest, you block the Universe and your creative mind from finding solutions. There is a difference between being specific and being detailed. For instance, you may want a reliable vehicle. Instead of picking the particular make, model and year, ask for one that meets your needs. Generally, you’ll find one that’s better than what you originally wanted.

3. Be open to Divine guidance, even if it’s not the answer you want.
To reduce weight, you’ll probably be directed to eat nutritious foods and exercise, which means you’ll have to change your behaviors. Or you may have to give up some highly valued relationship, object, or activity to achieve your eventual desire. Be willing to accept answers you don’t want, and have faith that something better is awaiting you.

You can break through the obstacle of resistance, but you have to be willing to change the way you’ve been responding. By using these three steps, you start to release what’s no longer working, and allow more Universal energy to flow through the situation to find a more beneficial solution.

Affirmation

The Universe has my Highest Good in Mind. I now face what I need to and accept that there needs to be forward progress. I’m willing to gracefully release what no longer serves me. Although I may not know what the solution is, the Universe and my creative mind know how to resolve this situation in the best way possible. I am open and accepting of Divine Guidance about what I need to do to bring forth the best outcome. The next step to a better life now reveals itself.

self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development, motivation, productivity, inspiration

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Recently, I heard someone suggest that we should take a minute every hour to give thanks for something good in our lives. I think that’s great advice. Studies are showing that gratitude does attract more good into our lives. By doing this practice many time each day, it gets us into the habit of giving thanks. This keeps us more closely aligned with Universal Good, and can help us create a more positive and optimistic mindset. It’s a gift that just keeps on giving.

self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development, inspiration

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How to Improve Your Luck from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit.

Feeling a little unlucky lately? Want the secret to getting lucky? You have it already – it’s you. The secret to improving luck is about perspective, self-belief and erring on the side of optimism. It isn’t about winning huge pots of cash – it’s about making the most of the wonderful blessings already surrounding you. Here are some thoughts for making your own luck grow.

Steps

1. Use Your Mind. Luck is tied to the power of your imagination. Someone said, “Luck is just probability taken personally”. Improved luck will require a lot of personal dedication and hard work.
2. Prepare. “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”, said Seneca, Roman dramatist, philosopher and politician, 5 BC – 65 AD.[1] If you have the groundwork in place you can take advantage of the opportunities that come your way.
3. Network. Lucky people know people, lots of people. They don’t have to be everyone’s bosom buddy but it is the art of being open to many new people that counts. Practice feeling comfortable talking to strangers at events that you attend. And actively listen to them when you strike up a conversation because you will have a lot to learn and they will remember that you appreciated what they had to say. This can translate into opportunities; the more people you meet and the more people you display genuine interest in, the more likelihood of you meeting the right person at the right time who has an opportunity at hand that you want to be a part of.
4. Trust your instincts. That little inner voice is often right and lucky people know this. You will also know when your “common sense” or “reason” are trying to override the lucky hunch. When this happens, take a moment aside to sit and think things through clearly and uninterrupted. Consider whose voices are speaking to you when you are faced with overriding intuition – is it your own trustworthy voice or is it the voices of others’ expectations – a spouse, a boss, a friend?
5. Take it easy. Anxiety and worry are enemies of luck. They introduce a factor that says “Be very risk averse” and “Whoa there! Hold back now!” You won’t be stumbling across luck while you are too busy hiding out. When opportunities come, you need to notice them and you need to seize them. A lucky person believes in now as being as important as tomorrow and much more so than yesterday. Don’t be held back by ghosts of failure – they were just learning experiences. And tomorrow will always come whatever happens, so do your best to enjoy today so that tomorrow has a standard to match!
6. Be ready for new opportunities. The more open you are to novel ideas and new ways of doing things, the more likely it is that you will strike it lucky. Lucky people don’t plod along methodically; while that guarantees a safe and secure path, lucky people take the path less known and meet all sorts of amazing opportunities along the way. Put your foot on that path now… try something you have never done before, try something you have convinced yourself you would hate, try something that someone else has suggested you try. Be bold.
7. Be an eternal optimist. Expect the best. Yes, anyone can do this and why not? It isn’t about living with the fairies. It is about being positive and creating the outcomes that you want most. Lucky people are optimistic and they expect that good things will happen to them. Heard the mantra “only good things happen to me”? Well, probably not, as most of us tend to whine “why do all the bad things happen to me?!” Stop it right now and start expecting the best.
8. Turn sour milk into a smoothie. So the milk went off? Big deal. There are still a lot things you can do with it, so do it. Instead of choosing to wallow and feel rotten about things that go wrong, look for life’s lessons in the experience and look for new solutions that grow out of the bad experience. Dwelling on horrible events in your life gives them great power over you, stifling your growth and stomping on your luck. And when you view the world in this manner, even if Lady Luck does call, you’re likely to sabotage it because that suits your negative mindset. Avoid the wallowing and kick yourself back into action. Sure, there are times in life when some events really set us back, such as the loss of a loved one, but far better to honor that person’s memory by doing things in remembrance of them than using that loss as an eternal unhappiness trigger. It is really important to learn and grow from sadness and hardship rather than to let it harden us and turn us bitter.
9. Reframe your life. If you perceive yourself as a victim or a hapless flotsam of fate, it is time to reframe. You are a shaper of your destiny and one lucky person. You’re lucky to be alive; that’s the biggest blessing every single one of us gets. Honour that lucky chance and live your life to its fullest. You’ll only be glad that you did.
10. Never stop learning. This is related to staying open to new opportunities. Unlucky people think their learning stopped at school or university. Lucky people realize that that was just the beginning and that life is one huge university. Soak it all up; even the stuff you find hard, boring, or uncomfortable. It really makes your life a whole lot more exciting and helps you to understand where others are coming from. Aiming to understand a wide range of perspectives makes it easier for you to forgive people and to see their points of view. Knowing this enables you to weave others’ motivations into how you approach life and treat them with respect. Which leads to the next point…
11. Treat people with respect. Lucky people know that other people matter. Respect for others makes you automatically lucky because it stops you from expecting other people’s behavior to conform to your own or to ease your way. Instead, you know to respect people for who they are rather than what you wish they would be. And you avoid the arrogance of placing your personality style and lifestyle beliefs above theirs.
12. Treat the Earth with respect. The Earth gives us food, water, shelter, oxygen and for some people, spiritual fulfillment. Lucky people acknowledge this and care for the world around them as a mark of this respect. Involving yourself with nature by getting outdoors and enjoying it improves your sense of self-assurance as you don’t fear its elements but embrace them. In so doing, you increase your luck as you broaden your knowledge and opportunities.
13. Treat your body with respect As you hone your instincts by listening to your “inner voice”, you can also become more in touch with your body awareness. Listen to it. Holistic health practitioners believe your physical, emotional, and spiritual health directly affects how you relate to the world around you.[2]
14. Do no harm. Lucky people don’t use or harm others to forward their own goals. Instead they invite others to accompany them on the journey. While networking, respecting self and others, and caring for the earth around them, lucky people nurture themselves as well as those with whom they come in contact.

Tips

• Luck is made, not found. And the luck that is “stumbled across” is very often fool’s gold in the hands of a person who doesn’t know what to do with it. If you believe in yourself and your abilities, and follow the ideas outlined above, you will be in a great position to take advantage of lucky breaks.
• Use techniques such as visualization and goal-setting to create your luck. These are not over-used mantras; they are proven techniques to ensure that you remain directed and focused on the things you want for yourself in life.
• Use affirmations daily. “I am going to have a lucky day today.” “I am going have good fortune today.” “I am going to help enable my luck today by helping others to be lucky today.”
• Be humble. Luck favors the humble; this doesn’t mean you can’t stand out there and enthuse others to find their luck but you mustn’t toot your horn of arrogance or luck will start to shy away as you become too self-certain. And this quickly steps into the realm of disrespecting others and closing yourself off to more learning. Remember balance and you’ll be fine.
• Don’t get cocky. The more lucky you are, the more prone you are to become cocky and think you’re better then everyone else.

Things You’ll Need

• Affirmation post-it notes stuck in strategic places
• A book of positive quotations (or an internet site can send these to you daily)
• A photo of a four-leaved clover at your front door to remind you that you are your own luck; place it so you can see it when you go out and when you come in
• Networking opportunities; if you don’t have them, start making them, even at the local pub
• Neat clothes; you don’t need expensive and designer wear to be lucky but neatness is important in whatever you wear, as it conveys self-respect and people warm to that

Related wikiHows

• How to Realise You Are Lucky
• How to Use Affirmations Effectively
• How to Reduce Stress With Affirmations
• How to Accomplish a Goal
• How to Overcome Your Fears Through Visualization
• How to Visualize
• How to Use Creative Visualization to Get a Job

Sources and Citations

1. Seneca quote credit:
   http://www.quotationspage.com/search.php3?Author=Seneca&file=other
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holistic_health

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Improve Your Luck. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

inspiration

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Jeff and I spent a Saturday in November hiking around Jerome, the “Largest Ghost Town In Arizona,” a few miles from where we live. Jerome is a fun artist’s community, full of quirky shops and restaurants. Although I’d just celebrated my 26th anniversary to moving to Sedona and Arizona, I’d never explored Jerome’s back streets on foot.

On our hike, we found roads I didn’t know existed, picturesque fallen down houses, and places I’d only seen from afar. Jerome is built on a steep hill. A street will pass just behind the third floor of a house, and will curve back around to pass in front of the first floor. We only had time to wander through about a third of the town, and look forward to spending more time there to explore the rest.

Jeff and I on a street in Jerome. In the distance, beyond Jeff’s left shoulder, you can see the red cliffs of Sedona. If you look beside my right shoulder, that dark area is the peak of the roof of the house that’s in the photo below. We walked by the front of the house, and are on the street behind and above it.

Photos Copyright 2008 StockPhotosArizona.com

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This has been one of those weeks when almost everything I’ve planned or tried to do has had a disappointment or delay attached to it. On Saturday, Jeff and I went over the mountain to Prescott, AZ to watch their “Light Parade,” only to find that the parade had been the weekend before. The parade consists of floats and vehicles that are draped with Christmas lights, and the parade takes place after dark. A few years ago, we just happened to be in Prescott the night of the parade, and we were so delighted with it that we’ve attended it when we could.

Sunday we discovered that our kitchen fluorescent light fixture had two bulbs that weren’t lit. So Jeff played with the bulbs, and first all of them went out, then the dark ones lit up, and the lit ones went dark. Then they all were working just fine, until Monday evening. Since then, we’ve been back to two bulbs lit. We’re postponing dealing with it until this next weekend.

These are only a couple of the several situations that were frustrating over the weekend. So far this week, I’ve had a delay with a financial issue, played phone tag with people I need to get hold of, and was barely on time for an appointment without a second to spare. Everything is working out, but it’s doing so with some sort of hitch. I’m affirming that everything is in “Divine Order” and that “I’m always in Divine Time” (that’s how I got to the appointment on time). I don’t exactly know what the reason for these challenges are, but I’m working on figuring that out.

personal growth

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