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Tag: believe

Divide goal to smaller steps?

Divide goal to smaller steps?

Question: Is it better to divide what we want to achieve (our goal) into small, easier to achieve steps in order to get faster results?

Answer: Many times it is easier to break up a goal into smaller steps, mainly so that your conscious mind can believe that they’re accessible. For instance, if you want more income, use a believable amount as your initial goal. That way you can feel successful as you accomplish it, and then set another goal of a little bit more. Or to release weight, set small increments of two, five, or ten pounds as your steps.

Sometimes, a person tries to break it up in such small steps that they’re micromanaging how it has to come about. In that case, it’s not a good idea for the smaller steps. For example, if some wanted a new apartment, they might state they wanted a certain amount of space (this is fine), for a certain amount of rent (this is fine, too), in a certain apartment building (not fine), on a certain floor (not fine).

Or someone might want a relationship. They could state the characteristics they wanted in their partner (this is good), how they would relate (good), and choose a certain person as their desired mate (not good).

In achieving a goal, your job is to decide what you want, break it into small steps that your conscious mind can believe and that your subconscious can accomplish without being overwhelmed. Then take any actions you know to take to bring it about. With you in motion, it’s up to your subconscious mind to find the way to manifest your goal.

Copyright 2006, 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

If I find it hard to clearly visualize my goal, does that mean it won’t manifest?

If I find it hard to clearly visualize my goal, does that mean it won’t manifest?

Question: If I find it hard to clearly visualize my goal,  does that mean it won’t manifest?

Answer: The term “visualization” or “imagery” tends to mislead people. So many people tell me that “I can’t visualize.” But visualization doesn’t necessarily mean mentally seeing something in glorious technicolor and surround sound. Most of us don’t have that kind of spontaneous imagination.

We all have a dominant style of imagining. Some people are very visual, like artists. Some are auditory, hearing ideas, like musicians. Others’ are sensory, feeling and sensing something going on. We all have all of the senses in our imagination to some extent.

For instance, describe an apple. What does it look like, how does it smell, how does it feel, how does it taste, how does it sound when you bite into it, how do your teeth feel when you bite into it? Being able to describe that apple is visualization. With practice, we can strengthen the other senses to make our mental visualization more powerful and it’s a good idea to do the practice.

However, being able to mentally see a goal isn’t necessary to manifesting it. If you can imagine yourself having it, how it feels to have it, and keep that feeling at the forefront of your mind and no other thought denies or negates it, then you’ll likely manifest it.

There are some other tips, such as being specific, making sure you’re not deciding ‘how’ it has to happen (let your creative mind figure that out), take any steps towards it that you know to take, etc. Write out what would be in your life with this goal. That also is “visualizing,” because you’re using your imagination to create the vision of it.

Copyright 2003, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Attitude Makes All The Difference – By the Amazing Zig Ziglar

Attitude Makes All The Difference – By the Amazing Zig Ziglar

The amazing motivational speaker and thought leader, Zig Ziglar, passed away this week at 86 years of age. He taught millions about the fundamentals of sales, success and how attitude makes all the difference. He didn’t even begin his career as a motivational speaker until he was in his 40’s.

As a speaker, he encouraged others to believe in themselves. Ziglar emphasized that a positive attitude must be followed up by action before success could be achieved. To listen to his inspiring podcasts, visit http://zigziglar.libsyn.com/

In this video, he tells the story of a woman who complained about her job, changed her attitude about it, and changed her life.


Are You A Good Gatekeeper For Your Mind?

Are You A Good Gatekeeper For Your Mind?

Optimists learn to be positive, and it’s a skill you can develop. The benefits of positive thinking make it well worth the effort. Here are a couple of tips of how to assess what kinds of thoughts to let into your mind.


Copyright 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Judgment Vs. Discernment, Part 2

Judgment Vs. Discernment, Part 2

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Whereas judgement assigns an emotional value on something, discernment is when you assess a situation or a person objectively and decide that you don’t want to participate. For instance, they don’t like apples, and decide not to eat one. There is no emotion attached to the decision. Just a simple “no thank you.”

Maybe an acquaintance keeps making disparaging remarks about Jill’s clothing as a way of teasing her. Jill has the right to decide that this isn’t a person she wants in her circle of friends. It doesn’t mean that she judges this person as “bad.” Just that the person’s actions makes her uncomfortable, and she doesn’t want to be around them.

Jill can accept the person as they are, knowing that they have the right to express themselves as they want. But also knowing that their self-expression isn’t compatible with hers. And if they really hurt her feelings, she can accept the individual, but not the way they act. If what they’re doing is inappropriate, then she can separate it from the person. Suppose a child leaves their bicycle behind her car, she doesn’t see it and runs over it. The child isn’t a bad person. They just did something irresponsible.

Being discerning means detaching from a situation, and letting go of any need to feel superior. It also means not avoiding making a decision for fear of being judgmental. Either of those issues has an emotional charge. Discernment is a spiritual quality, and one which we all need to develop for our spiritual evolution. We need to learn to say “no thank you” to that which is our lesser good, so we can say “yes” to our greater Good.
For if we can’t decide between turning left or right, how can we learn to follow the path of our Highest Good?

Copyright 2001, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Book Review – The Sermon On The Mount

Book Review – The Sermon On The Mount

The Sermon On The Mount: The Key to Success in Life
by Emmet Fox

This author’s books made a huge impact on me when I began to seriously study metaphysics almost thirty years ago. This book was one of those that really affected me and my understanding of mental principles. It takes a metaphysical perspective on one of Jesus’ most well known messages. Mr. Fox states that Jesus’ message was to teach mental states, not theology.

Cautioning against taking Jesus’ message literally, the author explains how Jesus taught through parables. The Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Lord’s Prayer are directions on how to think rightly, how to manifest, and how to achieve a greater spiritual understanding. He dissects each phrase to explain it more thoroughly from a metaphysical perspective.

Many of the phrases that have been twisted or that many find confusing are very practically explained and now make sense. Karma is discussed, as are many metaphysical laws. This book’s original subtitle was “A general introduction to Scientific Christianity in the form of a spiritual key to Matthew V, VI and VII.” For anyone raised with the orthodox view of Jesus’ message, the information in this book is revolutionary and a revelation.

Copyright 2004, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Do you need a plan or let the subconscious work out the best way?

Do you need a plan or let the subconscious work out the best way?

Question: I was wondering whether you need to have a plan to achieve a goal or whether you should let the subconscious mind work out the best way?

Answer: It is important to have a goal, and then steps to take on the way to the goal. But it’s also important to not “outline” how the goal is going to manifest. It’s a tightrope to walk. For instance, suppose you want a new job. You know the steps to take. You look at the job listings, you send out resumes, you go for interviews. The more action you take in the physical world helps the subconscious to know what it is that you want, and how committed you are to the goal.

If you focus on the new job coming from one of those that you investigated, that’s “outlining.” You’ve decided “how” it has to happen, instead of letting the subconscious mind figure out how. Or suppose you see a job that you really want, and set your heart on “that job.” Your new job may come when you feel led to go into a market and bump into a friend or former coworker who gives you a lead. You follow any inspiration you might have because that’s the inner mind directing you.

If you try to control the result or outcome, that’s when you run afoul of life. Having a plan lets the inner mind know what you want, but if you try to force the goal to manifest in the way you want to, you’ll not get very far. The inner mind knows so much more than you do about the situation. As you follow your plan, you stay aware of any nudges from the inner mind.

Your job is to remain focused on your goal, move in that direction, but let your inner mind power it. Just like driving a car. You keep your vision down the road, you steer the vehicle, but the motor is what moves the car. You don’t have to do a Fred Flintstone, and run or push the car.

Copyright 2003, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Think Intentionally To Improve Your Life

Think Intentionally To Improve Your Life

Many people drift through life, hoping and assuming things will get better. With that level of belief they tend to experience the average of their mindset. To get better results, they need to think more intentionally. Learn how intentional thinking can keep improving your life.



Copyright 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Do You Passively Assume or Actively Believe? Part 2

Do You Passively Assume or Actively Believe? Part 2

by Linda-Ann Stewart

A belief is like a garden. If you throw some seeds into fertile soil, some will take root, sprout and grow. But they need tending or they’ll wither away. You have to water them with new energy, and pluck out the weeds of negative thoughts and inertia. When you attend to your belief and cultivate it, your subconscious will respond with insight, ideas, and inspired action.

Where are you stuck in a past mindset that’s no longer serving you? What assumptions have you made that aren’t valid anymore? Are you coasting in some areas and not putting energy into your life? Start becoming aware of your passive beliefs. How can you shift them into a positive statement of intention and action?

Instead of continuing to smoke, you could say, “I choose to do what I need to that furthers my health,” and find a way to quit smoking. If you’re in debt, you might decide to cut down on expenses, formulate a budget, and work your plan, committed to get out of debt by a certain date. For increased business, believe that you can be successful by investigating new ways to be visible, market and sell.

Don’t allow the garden of your mind to wilt. Be dynamic and fertilize it with new purpose and action. Treat your belief like a living thing. Plant the seeds and make sure the environment is as favorable as possible to encourage them to grow. Nurture them, give them what they need to thrive. They’ll bloom in your life with all the beauty and success you could want.

Affirmation

The Universe wants the good for me that I want for myself: harmony, abundance, health, and joy. I let go of old assumptions that no longer serve me. Now, I cultivate my belief that all good is mine. Insight, ideas, and inspiration flood into my life. I am guided to take action in the direction of my desire. Whatever I need to have a more satisfying life is now provided.

Copyright 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Do You Passively Assume or Actively Believe? Part 1

Do You Passively Assume or Actively Believe? Part 1

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Casey never balanced her checkbook. She just assumed she’d have enough for her rent and monthly expenses each month. Although she never knew how much money she had, that didn’t stop her from going out to lunch every day, buying jewelry and going to the movies with her friends. She went through the month with blinders on, avoiding thinking about how she was going to pay for everything.

At the end of the month, she usually could pay her rent only if she didn’t buy groceries for the week. Her assumption that she had enough money wasn’t a strong enough belief to get her over her financial hump.

There’s a difference between an assumption that the best is coming to you and a conviction that it is. An assumption is passive, and doesn’t have much energy behind it. It’s mainly a hope that what you want will come to pass, without much resolution behind it.

On the other end of the spectrum, a conviction is active, a certain knowledge that what you desire will occur. It’s conscious, intentional, focused and supercharges the thought and will. A belief backed with power inspires. It stirs the subconscious to creatively solve problems and find new ways of getting things done.

Too many people float through life, assuming that everything will be the same. But the one constant in the Universe is change. As our environment and we change, we need to keep our beliefs in line with the present.

At the beginning of this century, many people comfortably believed that they would work for one company for their entire career. Shortly thereafter, many jobs were out-sourced and there was a recession. Suddenly, they faced a completely new set of circumstances, and spiraled into fear.

People who make statements like, “Smoking won’t affect my health,” “I’ll eventually be able to pay down my credit cards,” or “I don’t have to upgrade my supplies or my marketing. Customers will come back into stores soon,” aren’t being positive or optimistic. They’re living in denial, avoiding reality. They choose to stay in their comfort zone, even if it’s destroying them. If they recognized the facts, they’d have to be pro-active and change, which they don’t want to make the effort to do.

Many businesses and associations make a similar mistake. They coast on their past success until they run out of juice. Because they haven’t changed with the times, they don’t alter their strategies to find more business or new members. They’re tied to their old mindset, assuming that what used to work is going to continue to work in the same way. But times change, and they need to update the way they do business.

Copyright 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved