Many times throughout my life I have heard people say, "have a little faith" or "my faith says..." but what is faith? In this chapter Murphy answers this question when he defines faith. He says,
"Faith as mentioned in the Bible is a way of thinking, an attitude of mind, an inner certitude, know that the idea you fully accept in your conscious mind will be embodied in your subconscious mind and made manifest. Faith is, in a sense accepting as true what your reason and senses deny, i.e., a shutting out of the little, rational, analytical, conscious mind and embracing an attitude of complete reliance on the inner power of your subconscious mind."
Faith is believing without a doubt. It is having complete trust and acceptance that something is going to happen no matter what anyone else says. Many times in the bible when Jesus completed healings he said, "according to your faith, be it unto you." This means that the strength of your faith, and what you believe, will lead you to results. One of the things that I read in this chapter that I found particularly interesting was when Jesus told the newly healed patients to, "see that no man know it.". Murphy explains that Jesus did not want the healed to share the news because they would then be subject to skepticism and criticism. If they allowed these negative thoughts to enter their subconscious it might end up undoing the benefits that they received at the hand of Jesus.
Most of my biggest dreams, I tend (ok at least try) to keep to myself or within my family. One thing that I know is going to happen in the near future is that I will be able to buy a house in Carmel. My heart, childhood, and fondest memories are in this town and I want to be able to raise my own family in the way that I was brought up. As I stated before many of the houses in Carmel are rather expensive and those who do not live there have a certain attitude or stereotype about it. Many times it will come up in group discussions at school or other social situations and people will quickly roll their eyes and scoff about how great it would be to live there. "Only millionaires get to live there! Yea, maybe in my next life time! Oh ya, like I could really afford that!" they say with dripping sarcasm and negativity. When I drive through Carmel I can't help but think that I am no different than the people who are currently living in that town. Why would I possibly prevent myself right away, end the dream and say it's never going to happen because of money? I try not to talk to certain people about how I will someday live there. I don't want to allow their negative thoughts and commentary to enter my mind. It doesn't matter what that person thinks, what matters is what I already know. The truth. I know that if my dream is as deeply rooted in my soul as it is, then it is going to happen. I have faith, without a waver of a doubt, that it will happen. It doesn't have to occur in a logical way where I scrimp and save for money...who knows how it will happen. I could acquire my house in a grand, miraculous way. All I know is that I have faith..and it will happen. In fact, I know that is has already been completed and I already own that house in Carmel.
As Jesus mentioned above, and as did I through my own experiences, to have solid, unwavering faith you need to be very careful with who you surround yourself with. I have found something true in social situations: negativity is very relatable. I wouldn't call myself a super social person. I have a few very close friends and I truly prefer it that way. I try to follows Jesus' example and be loving to all, but I have been selective with those that are in my innermost circle. Many times I find myself in scenarios where I have to make "small talk" with someone. It can be difficult for both parties coming up with something to discuss, especially when you don't know that person very well. What I have noticed is that the most relatable topics tend to be negative. Often times, especially around other teachers, I find that conversations consist of things like, "Oh I'm so tired, I need a break from these kids..." or "I can't believe how much work they're making us do..." or "man I don't know how I'm going to make this pay check stretch". It can be very easy to get sucked into this because it quickly becomes a common ground. I can't even imagine what my colleagues faces' would look life if I went up to them and started talking about the fact that I manifested my basket win at the Spring Fling on Friday. Instead, I keep this to myself (unless I feel that they would be open minded) because I have no reason to subject myself to the negative comments that I know would follow. Why is it that it seems so easy to talk about what is going wrong in life..and yet difficult to discuss what is going great? One challenge that I have given myself this week is to not only filter my thoughts- but to filter the words that come out of my mouth. When I am about to say something negative or judgemental I have stopped myself and even at times have said outloud, "nevermind. I'm not going to say that." It's a reminder for me to keep my thoughts and words happy, truthful, joyful and loving. I am steering this ship around and not going down the river of pessimism. Although I may not want to come out to my peers and directly say what I am doing..I can lead by example. Maybe instead of negativity becoming relatable, I can direct the conversation to be more positive. We are all sharing, as Murphy says, "one universal subjective mind."
Throughout my current school year l I have had great difficulty getting along with certain co-workers. Unfortunately, I was asked to work closely and cooperatively with these individuals on a frequent basis. As I experienced many disagreements with my peers, my stress level became so high that I contemplated switching schools and teaching assignments because I felt like we would just never get along. I definitely played the victim and felt as though all disagreements were to blame on my co-workers and that I was under attack. As this went on I freely expressed my frustration and displeasure to anyone around me that would listen. I harped on the disagreements and exchanges. I ended up replaying them in my head over and over again, picking them apart and analyzing the interaction. Over the past two weeks as I have been practicing the techniques that Murphy lays out in his book, I noticed a large shift in my relationship with these individuals. In fact, I don't think we have ever gotten along as well as we do right now. Once I stopped harping on what that person was doing to me and why I didn't like it (again, changing the record player of thoughts) it changed. Suddenly we are working well together, sharing ideas, and even providing each other with supplemental materials. Once I stopped judging, gossiping, and thinking negatively the relationship changed. It's almost as though my perceptions and thoughts put me on high alert. I became extra sensitive to every little thing that those people said or did and perceived them as huge ordeals. It is important to remember that we all come from the same place and all share a subjective (or creative) mind. I have seen that when you are judging someone chances are they are judging you right back. But when you can show someone love, compassion, and grace (and this does not mean to their face and then talk negatively behind their back) chances are you will receive the same.
I cannot believe how much Murphy and this experience has shifted my world in as little as two weeks. Stress has already been replaced with relaxation, fear has turned into excitement, and worry has turned into joy. The most amazing thing is that this is only the beginning. ...
For this chapter I will leave you with one last thought. I was surprised to see it and felt as though it was another one of those "God Winks" or my subconscious letting me know that more blessings are coming my way. Many of you know that I have been praying to become a writer and someday publish a book....Here is what Murphy said.
"The idea you have for a book, new invention, or play is real in your mind. This is why you can believe that you have it now. Believe in the reality of your idea, plan, or invention, and as you do, it will become manifest."
Thank you Father.
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