I want to begin by dedicating this blog post to my Dad. He is such an incredible example of everything this chapter discusses. I'm blessed to have a Dad that continues to be marveled and excited about the world around him; Never stopping, always learning, and using all of the talent he has been given.
Although our bodies may change in appearance and age throughout the years, Murphy starts this chapter by stating an important fact, "your subconscious mind never grows old. It is part of the universal mind of God, which was never born, and it will never die."
Many times people fall into a mindset of "old age." They retire from their jobs, think that their purpose in this world is over, and very quickly start to deteriorate. They may not look well physically as their bodies struggle to function, and their mental sharpness becomes dull and withered.
Throughout this chapter Murphy suggests that the mind is what keeps you young. That you should never fear old age because it can actually be the, "beginning of a glorious, fruitful, active, and most productive life pattern, better than you have ever experienced."
When some people hit retirement age, they seem to just give up. They can become depressed and feel as though getting old is a tragedy. However, Murphy says that old age should be "welcomed joyfully and gladly as each phase of human life is a step forward on the path, which has no end. Man has powers, which transcend his bodily powers. He has sense, which transcend his five physical senses."
In the next paragraph Murphy discusses how many people are afraid of death because they are skeptical about what follows once they leave the physical world. He uses electricity as an example. A woman once asked Thomas Edison, "What is electricity?" He replied, "Electricity is. Use it." We use electricity constantly in our daily lives. It is a power that we cannot fully comprehend but we understand the principle of it and can therefore use it beneficially. There are so many things in science today that we do not fully comprehend, and yet it is accepted as fact. "We cannot see life. However, we know we are alive. Life is, and we are here to express it in all its beauty and glory."
Murphy points out that if you believe that the cycle of life ends with death, then of course you will live your life frustrated, afraid, and depressed once old age comes. "What men call death is but a journey to a new city in another dimension of Life." Do not accept that once you hit 60, 70, 80, or 90 that you are facing the end.
The next paragraph is titled, "You are as Young as You Think You Are". It begins with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, "We do not count a man's years until he has nothing else to count."
One of the things that I have noticed while watching my Dad over the years, is that he has never once said, "Ok that's it. I'm retired. Time to kick back and relax." Absolutely not. Instead, he has an attitude of, "what's next?" Even though he is technically retired, he has actually just begun a whole new career as a documentarian. He has self-taught himself how to make movies and use the appropriate programs by doing research on the internet and constantly challenging his mind to learn something new. He spends hours watching tutorials on Youtube and then trying them out first hand. "I don't know how to do that" does not seem to be a sentence in his vocabulary. Instead, he is challenged to learn and figure it out.
Often times, when I am working with colleagues that are slightly older than myself the topic of technology comes up. Usually I hear something along the lines of, "Oh you're young. You were raised with that stuff. Of course you understand it. I'll never be able to use that." I can't help but shake my head when I hear this because those folks have just completely built a steel mental block. They have deemed themselves old, at 45, and by speaking those words, manifested exactly where they will stay. They just closed the door to ever acquiring that particular skill. If you decided you want to learn something or trying something new, there is nothing in your way. Certainly not your age.
When you tap into the power of your subconscious mind you can overcome any obstacle you may face. In previous blogs we discussed this in the forms of being happy or successful. However, here, it is about having that zest for life and moving on to whatever comes next, rather than giving up and declaring yourself finished.
Murphy uses several real life examples of older adults who still continue to practice their talents on a daily basis. He talks about an 84 year old surgeon who operates every morning, visits patients in the afternoon, and writes for scientific journals in the evening. This gentleman told Murphy once, "It's true what you said, 'Man is as strong as he thinks he is, and as valuable as he thinks he is."
If you are no longer working or utilizing your talents, what has happened to your value? No matter your age, you can always be a blessing to others and contribute to this world in one way or another.
You decide when you become "old". Some people are old at 30 while others are young at 80. Murphy also discusses how our view on older adults should shift. In our society we value younger adults and many times employers wont hire anyone over the age of 45. However, typically older adults are more experienced as well as emotionally/spiritually mature. That is, of course, if those adults are still willing to adapt with the world around them as it changes.
I want to end this blog with my favorite paragraph from this chapter. I don't think that anyone could word it better than Murphy himself. He says..
"If you are 65 or 95 years of age, realize you have much to give. You can help stabilize, advise, and direct the younger generation. You can give the benefit of your knowledge, your experience, and your wisdom. You can always look ahead for at all times you are gazing into infinite life. You will find that you can never cease to unveil the glories and wonders of life. Try to learn something new every moment of the day, and you will find your mind will always be young."
Other important notes from this chapter:
*Patience, kindness, love, good will, joy, happiness, wisdom, and understanding are qualities, which never grow old. Cultivate them and express them, and remain young in mind and body.
*Some research physicians say that the neurotic fear of the effects of time may well be the cause of premature aging.
*The most productive years of your life can be from 65 to 95.
*You cannot see your mind, but you know you have a mind. You cannot see your spirit, but you know that the spirit of the game, the artist, the spirit of the musician, and the spirit of the speaker is real. Likewise, the spirit of goodness, truth, and beauty moving in your mind and heart are real. You cannot see life, but you know you are alive.
*You are as young as you think you are. You are as strong as you think you are. You are as useful as you think you are. You are as young as your thoughts.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Sunday, August 14, 2016
How to Use Your Subconscious Mind to Remove Fear
What are you fearing today? What keeps you up at night, mind racing, heart pounding, palms sweating? What you are afraid to do? Afraid to try? I can ask you these things with confidence that you will be able to come up with at least one answer. Why? Because we have become a society that is driven by fear. The world is counting on you to be afraid. Companies use an effective marketing technique where they appeal to your emotions, particularly fear, in order to sell their product. They know how to tap into your fear of getting an illness, becoming injured in an accident or losing your home to natural disasters or crimes. What about the fear of failure, not having a "beach ready" body or not being socially accepted?
In a spiritual world filled with peace and positivity, there is no room for fear. How can you rid yourself of this false emotion and replace it instead with joy and happiness? Murphy explains just that in this next chapter of, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind."
Fear is a thought in your mind, and you are afraid of your own thoughts.
Since I was a child, once of my biggest fears has been violence. I used to worry about being kidnapped and would lay awake for hours in my bed. However, I really didn't have anything to worry about. I lived in a very safe neighborhood and my house even had an alarm system. I had nothing to be afraid of except for the ideas and scenarios that I had pictured in my head.
Murphy uses the example of a child being paralyzed by the boogieman. As soon as his father turns on the light, the child sees that there is no monster and the fear flees.
This example shows that most of our fears do not exist. There is no reality in what we are most afraid of. Murphy even calls them, "shadows" and shadows have no reality.
In the next paragraph, Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as he says, "Do the thing you are afraid to do, and the death of fear is certain." Murphy shares a personal story as he once feared speaking in front of an audience. It took positive affirmations and prayer for him to overcome this.
I can't help but wonder how many lives would not have been changed for the better, if Murphy gave into his fear of public speaking. Do not let fear get in the way of blessings.
Throughout the chapter, there are many different examples of how people faced their individual fears. In one paragraph in particular, the fear of water, mountains,and closed spaces is discussed and the same technique is used to banish the fear. Here are the directions that are outlined. "If you are afraid of swimming, begin now to sit still for five or ten minutes three or four times a day, and imagine you are swimming. Actually, you are swimming in your mind. It is a subjective experience. Mentally you have projected yourself into the water. You feel the chill of the water and the movement of your arms and legs. It is all real, vivid, and a joyous activity of the mind. It is not idle daydreaming, for you know that what you are experiencing in your imagination will be developed in your subconscious mind. Then you will be compelled to express the image and likeness of the picture you impressed on your deeper mind. This is the law of the subconscious."
Although Murphy doesn't explicit say this, it is important to note that these exercises must be done with the utmost amount of love and peace. I know that for me personally, when I am afraid of something I tend to be very harsh with myself. I will myself to get over it, suck it up, and stop being such a baby. This is definitely the WRONG way to overcome a fear.
I must put out a reminder to always be gentle with yourself. It does not matter how long the journey takes or if you are struggling with the action. Just believe in your heart that you have banished the fear and replace it with joy above all other emotions.
As the chapter continues, Murphy discusses the difference between Normal and Abnormal fears. He says that man is only born with two fears, the fear of falling and the fear of noise. These are alarm systems that the subconscious have given you for self preservation. Anything other than this were fears given to you by parents, relatives, teachers, and all other adults who influenced you during your youth.
Here is an important line: Abnormal fear takes place when man lets his imagination run riot. Your imagination is an incredibly beautiful, magical, and powerful thing. It can create wonders that are beyond comprehension. However, what happens when you lose control of it? or allow it to take a turn down a negative path? This idea goes hand in hand with something I discussed in my previous blog. I had developed and continued to maintain anxiety because I was letting my imagination create things that were not of joy and happiness. You are the director of your mental motion picture and it is up to you to decide what plays on the screen.
Since I have started to come out of my fearful and anxious state, I have noticed a huge difference in what plays on my mental screen during times when my full attention isn't required. These are times like brushing my teeth or driving someplace very familiar. Instead of replaying negative conversations or hurtful things from my past, I am making up beautiful dance moves to the song that I am listening to, or feeling the excitement that I will experience on my wedding day. These types of mental images stir up positive and joyful emotions that will carry you through the day with a sunny outlook.
The answer to abnormal fear (anything except the 2 fears listed above) is to move mentally to the opposite. Place your attention directly on the thing immediately desired, rather than the fear. If you are desiring calm, focus only on things that bring you that feeling.
Many people like to rationalize their fear by saying, "I'm just trying to be safe." Yes, you need to make good choices like wearing your seatbelt or a helmet when you ride a bike. But do not let these actions be accompanied by the emotion of worry or stress. By doing so you are only drawing what you fear most closer to your heart. For example, I keep my door closed and locked at school for the safety of my students against an intruder. If I am obsessively checking my door I am not living a life that is faith filled, I am living a day of fear. There are plans already in place for what I would need to do if something like that occured, but it does not require me to mentally be thinking about it as the day goes on.
One of the more impactful stories that Murphy shares in this chapter is about a man who was a soldier in WWII. He had to parachute from a damaged plane and ended up landing in a jungle. He was frightened but immediately decided to do something about the fear. He began to talk to himself and said, "John, you can't surrender to your fear. Your fear is a desire for safety and security, and a way out." He began to claim, "Infinite intelligence which guides the planets in their courses is now leading and guiding me out of this jungle." He kept saying this outloud to himself for ten minute or more. "Then," he added, "something began to stir inside me. A mood of confidence began to seize me, and I began to walk. After a few days, I miraculously came out of the jungle, and was picked up by a rescue plane." It was his changed mental attitude that saved him. If he had given into fear his thinking would have been clouded and he would not have been able to be physically stable in the way that was necessary.
Remember and visualize, that in the center of you is a deep, still, ocean of peace. You can tap into this with faith and trust anytime that you need it. I love when Murphy describes the full emotion of faith as feeling like you are in your mother's arms. For anyone that was loved as a child, I know that there is no truer, safer, more peaceful feeling than being held by a loving parent.
This chapter ends with scripture from the bible. PSALM 34:4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
You should interpret the word Lord as it speaks to you. Whether it means law, God, or whatever you choose to believe. It is true no matter what word you replace it with. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you.
Other Important Notes from this Chapter:
*Do the thing you are afraid to do, and the death of fear is certain. Say to yourself and mean it, "I am going to master this fear," and you will.
* Fear is a negative thought in your mind. Supplant it with a constructive thought. Fear has killed millions. Confidence is greater than fear. Nothing is more powerful than faith in God and the good.
*Fear is man's greatest enemy. It is behind failure, sickness, and bad human relations. Confidence is great than fear. Nothing is more powerful than faith in God and the good.
*You can overcome abnormal fear when you know the power of your subconscious mind can change conditions and bring to pass the cherished desires of your heart. Give your immediate attention and devotion to your desire which is the opposite of your fear. This is the love that casts out fear.
*If you are afraid of failure, give attention to success. If you are afraid of sickness, dwell on your perfect health. If you are afraid of an accidence, dwell on the guidance and protection of God. If you are afraid of death, dwell on Eternal Life. God is Life, and that is your life now.
*The things you fear do not really exist except as thoughts in your mind. Thoughts are creative. This is why Job said; the thing I feared has come upon me. Think good and good follows.
*Look at your fears; hold them up to the light of reason. Learn to laugh at your fears. that is the best medicine.
*Nothing can disturb you but your own thought. The suggestions, statements, or threats of other persons have no power. The power is within you, and when your thoughts are focused on that which is good, then God's power is with your thoughts of good. There is only one Creative Power, and it moves as harmony. There are no divisions of quarrels in it. Its source is Love. That is why God's power is with your thoughts of good.
In a spiritual world filled with peace and positivity, there is no room for fear. How can you rid yourself of this false emotion and replace it instead with joy and happiness? Murphy explains just that in this next chapter of, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind."
Fear is a thought in your mind, and you are afraid of your own thoughts.
Since I was a child, once of my biggest fears has been violence. I used to worry about being kidnapped and would lay awake for hours in my bed. However, I really didn't have anything to worry about. I lived in a very safe neighborhood and my house even had an alarm system. I had nothing to be afraid of except for the ideas and scenarios that I had pictured in my head.
Murphy uses the example of a child being paralyzed by the boogieman. As soon as his father turns on the light, the child sees that there is no monster and the fear flees.
This example shows that most of our fears do not exist. There is no reality in what we are most afraid of. Murphy even calls them, "shadows" and shadows have no reality.
In the next paragraph, Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as he says, "Do the thing you are afraid to do, and the death of fear is certain." Murphy shares a personal story as he once feared speaking in front of an audience. It took positive affirmations and prayer for him to overcome this.
I can't help but wonder how many lives would not have been changed for the better, if Murphy gave into his fear of public speaking. Do not let fear get in the way of blessings.
Throughout the chapter, there are many different examples of how people faced their individual fears. In one paragraph in particular, the fear of water, mountains,and closed spaces is discussed and the same technique is used to banish the fear. Here are the directions that are outlined. "If you are afraid of swimming, begin now to sit still for five or ten minutes three or four times a day, and imagine you are swimming. Actually, you are swimming in your mind. It is a subjective experience. Mentally you have projected yourself into the water. You feel the chill of the water and the movement of your arms and legs. It is all real, vivid, and a joyous activity of the mind. It is not idle daydreaming, for you know that what you are experiencing in your imagination will be developed in your subconscious mind. Then you will be compelled to express the image and likeness of the picture you impressed on your deeper mind. This is the law of the subconscious."
Although Murphy doesn't explicit say this, it is important to note that these exercises must be done with the utmost amount of love and peace. I know that for me personally, when I am afraid of something I tend to be very harsh with myself. I will myself to get over it, suck it up, and stop being such a baby. This is definitely the WRONG way to overcome a fear.
I must put out a reminder to always be gentle with yourself. It does not matter how long the journey takes or if you are struggling with the action. Just believe in your heart that you have banished the fear and replace it with joy above all other emotions.
As the chapter continues, Murphy discusses the difference between Normal and Abnormal fears. He says that man is only born with two fears, the fear of falling and the fear of noise. These are alarm systems that the subconscious have given you for self preservation. Anything other than this were fears given to you by parents, relatives, teachers, and all other adults who influenced you during your youth.
Here is an important line: Abnormal fear takes place when man lets his imagination run riot. Your imagination is an incredibly beautiful, magical, and powerful thing. It can create wonders that are beyond comprehension. However, what happens when you lose control of it? or allow it to take a turn down a negative path? This idea goes hand in hand with something I discussed in my previous blog. I had developed and continued to maintain anxiety because I was letting my imagination create things that were not of joy and happiness. You are the director of your mental motion picture and it is up to you to decide what plays on the screen.
Since I have started to come out of my fearful and anxious state, I have noticed a huge difference in what plays on my mental screen during times when my full attention isn't required. These are times like brushing my teeth or driving someplace very familiar. Instead of replaying negative conversations or hurtful things from my past, I am making up beautiful dance moves to the song that I am listening to, or feeling the excitement that I will experience on my wedding day. These types of mental images stir up positive and joyful emotions that will carry you through the day with a sunny outlook.
The answer to abnormal fear (anything except the 2 fears listed above) is to move mentally to the opposite. Place your attention directly on the thing immediately desired, rather than the fear. If you are desiring calm, focus only on things that bring you that feeling.
Many people like to rationalize their fear by saying, "I'm just trying to be safe." Yes, you need to make good choices like wearing your seatbelt or a helmet when you ride a bike. But do not let these actions be accompanied by the emotion of worry or stress. By doing so you are only drawing what you fear most closer to your heart. For example, I keep my door closed and locked at school for the safety of my students against an intruder. If I am obsessively checking my door I am not living a life that is faith filled, I am living a day of fear. There are plans already in place for what I would need to do if something like that occured, but it does not require me to mentally be thinking about it as the day goes on.
One of the more impactful stories that Murphy shares in this chapter is about a man who was a soldier in WWII. He had to parachute from a damaged plane and ended up landing in a jungle. He was frightened but immediately decided to do something about the fear. He began to talk to himself and said, "John, you can't surrender to your fear. Your fear is a desire for safety and security, and a way out." He began to claim, "Infinite intelligence which guides the planets in their courses is now leading and guiding me out of this jungle." He kept saying this outloud to himself for ten minute or more. "Then," he added, "something began to stir inside me. A mood of confidence began to seize me, and I began to walk. After a few days, I miraculously came out of the jungle, and was picked up by a rescue plane." It was his changed mental attitude that saved him. If he had given into fear his thinking would have been clouded and he would not have been able to be physically stable in the way that was necessary.
Remember and visualize, that in the center of you is a deep, still, ocean of peace. You can tap into this with faith and trust anytime that you need it. I love when Murphy describes the full emotion of faith as feeling like you are in your mother's arms. For anyone that was loved as a child, I know that there is no truer, safer, more peaceful feeling than being held by a loving parent.
This chapter ends with scripture from the bible. PSALM 34:4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
You should interpret the word Lord as it speaks to you. Whether it means law, God, or whatever you choose to believe. It is true no matter what word you replace it with. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you.
Other Important Notes from this Chapter:
*Do the thing you are afraid to do, and the death of fear is certain. Say to yourself and mean it, "I am going to master this fear," and you will.
* Fear is a negative thought in your mind. Supplant it with a constructive thought. Fear has killed millions. Confidence is greater than fear. Nothing is more powerful than faith in God and the good.
*Fear is man's greatest enemy. It is behind failure, sickness, and bad human relations. Confidence is great than fear. Nothing is more powerful than faith in God and the good.
*You can overcome abnormal fear when you know the power of your subconscious mind can change conditions and bring to pass the cherished desires of your heart. Give your immediate attention and devotion to your desire which is the opposite of your fear. This is the love that casts out fear.
*If you are afraid of failure, give attention to success. If you are afraid of sickness, dwell on your perfect health. If you are afraid of an accidence, dwell on the guidance and protection of God. If you are afraid of death, dwell on Eternal Life. God is Life, and that is your life now.
*The things you fear do not really exist except as thoughts in your mind. Thoughts are creative. This is why Job said; the thing I feared has come upon me. Think good and good follows.
*Look at your fears; hold them up to the light of reason. Learn to laugh at your fears. that is the best medicine.
*Nothing can disturb you but your own thought. The suggestions, statements, or threats of other persons have no power. The power is within you, and when your thoughts are focused on that which is good, then God's power is with your thoughts of good. There is only one Creative Power, and it moves as harmony. There are no divisions of quarrels in it. Its source is Love. That is why God's power is with your thoughts of good.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
How your Subconscious Removes Mental Blocks
An attitude of mind that relies on, and has faith in the creative intelligence to bring about a happy solution to every question, is one that will bring peace, harmony, and order to your life.
In this chapter Murphy talks about the habits we have created in the physical world and how we as humans can either break or build these manners. We are all creatures of habit and these habits are actually the functions of our subconscious mind. At a young age we all had to learn to do things that seemed foreign to us but are now second nature. This may include riding a bike, swimming or driving a car. At first we had to think very hard and concentrate when doing these actions, but now they are automatic and the subconscious mind has taken over.
It's important to remember that thoughts can become habitual. What kind of messages are constantly being repeated in your mind? Are they thoughts of things that are good, positive, and true? Or are they negative, gloomy and charged with fear and anxiety? "The law of your subconscious is compulsion." Just as you are free to choose a good habit or a bad habit you are also free to choose the nature of your thoughts.
Recently, I had an epiphany about the habitual thinking that I had fallen into. My thoughts were constantly charged with negativity, anxiety, and often times exaggerated real life scenarios. I am someone who works very hard as a teacher and not only do I want to serve my students and their parents, but I also want to please my administration and colleagues. Last winter, I began experiencing a great deal of anxiety that seemed to last through the end of my summer vacation. I tried so many things to keep the emotions at bay. I exercised, changed my diet, kept positive quotes in my pocket and gave myself plenty of time to relax. However, near the last two weeks of my summer break, the anxiety seemed to lift and I felt returned to my normal self. What was different? Stepping away from work for such a long period of time gave me a new perspective. It took about four weeks for me to stop THINKING about work. It was then that I realized that I really hadn't taken hold of my thoughts as much as I believed I had. Many times in the teaching world you have to analyze things from many angles. It may be figuring out the details of a lesson, which takes a great deal of thinking ahead. Teachers do not just need to select the content that is being taught but they also need to think of things like, how will students retrieve materials? What if one gets done before the rest of the class? Which students will need more support and which ones will need to be challenged? How will I keep the noise level under control? How much time will they take to complete the activity? Who will the students work with on this project and why? I would also face scenarios with parents and colleagues that I believed I needed to reflect on and "think through."
In my mind I thought I was problem solving, when in actuality, I was allowing the problem to grow and making it worse. I discovered that one of my habits is to have conversations in my head. For example, if I had a confrontation with a coworker or parent I would imagine what he or she might say to me about the situation. I would then come up with a response to their answer and then he or she would reply. As I walked through these conversations, which occurred silently in my brain at all hours of the day, I felt emotions that were very real. I would feel the heat of frustration start to well up in my stomach as I brushed my teeth, or did the dishes. I wasn't even at work! That conversation had not happened and there was no reason for me to be frustrated. I was simply manifesting a negative situation that was not real in the slightest. Later on at work, I would then be on edge when I would see that specific person because I had just associated very real feelings with a completely negative mind set.
I was experiencing a mental block. When I finally got to get away from work for a while and hit the "reset" button, it gave me the opportunity to truly change my thinking. I now focus on things that are true...not what I think might happen. If I have just come home from work and want to relax, that doesn't just mean my physical body relaxes, it means my brain must relax as well. I had to stop discussing negative things that happened at work with whoever would listen, and I had to stop replaying scenarios in my brain. I am now back at work and have surprised myself with how calm I feel internally. When I start to slip back into my negative thinking pattern, I instead sing an uplifting song or imagine how positive and blessed my day is going to be. Quite frankly, if I'm not at work there is no reason I should be thinking about work. If you never allow your brain to rest and relax then you might as well never leave the office in the first place.
This habit I developed was a mental block that got in the way of all of my positive desires. It was through a change that I was finally able to remove it.
In this chapter Murphy says, "when you really have an intense desire to over come any block in your life, and you come to a clear-cut decision that there is a way out, and that is the course you wish to follow, then victory and triumph are assured."
I was able to relate this next paragraph to my own life as he wrote, "If you really want peace of mind and inner calm, you will get it. Regardless of how unjustly you have been treated, or how unfair the boss has been, or what a mean scoundrel someone has proved to be, all this makes no difference to you when you awaken to your mental and spiritual powers. You know what you want, and you will definitely refuse to let the thieves (thoughts) of hatred, anger, hostility and ill will rob you of peace, harmony, health and happiness. You cease to become upset by people, conditions, news, and events by identifying your thoughts immediately with your aim in life. Your aim is peace, health, inspiration, harmony and abundance. Feel a river of peace flowing through you now."
In every chapter, Murphy shares the actual prayer/meditation that one of his acquaintances has used to bring an intention to pass. In this blog, I would like to personally share something that I have been doing every morning. My goal this school year is to have inner peace and remain calm in all situations. Too many times last year my blood would quickly boil when a student did not follow directions or an administrator asked yet another thing of me. I know from reading this book that it is in my power to be calm no matter what scenario I am in.
Each morning, after my shower, I put on a fluffy robe and sit on my recliner. For ten minutes I use a meditation timer app that plays the wonderful sounds of a rainstorm mixed with 4 rings of a low toned bell. I relax my body and put myself in the rain (one of my favorite places to be). I smell the fresh, cool air that I know exists there and breathe deeply. On each bell I say a word, and my sentence ends up being, "Peace begins with me." No other words enter my thoughts or leave my lips except for the sentence, "Peace begins with me." This is a wonderful reminder for me of not only my intention, but of my power. It is not "I will be peaceful until someone pisses me off.." It is, "I am the source of peace."
No one can stir up negative emotions within unless you give yourself permission to do so. I spent so many months bringing anxiety, fear, and stress upon myself when it never needed to occur. I had to remove the mental block.
I want to end this blog post with a final quote from this chapter. It applies to our everyday lives whether we are facing a major crisis or simply trying to maintain the peace we have already achieved. "When fear knocks at the door of your mind, or when worry, anxiety, and doubt cross your mind, behold your vision, your goals. Keep on, persevere, until the day breaks, and the shadows flee away."
Other important notes from this chapter:
* The solution lies within the problem. The answer is in every question. Infinite intelligence responds to you as you call upon it with faith and confidence.
*Habit is the function of your subconscious mind. There is no greater evidence of the marvelous power of your subconscious than the force and sway habit holds in your life. You are a creature of habit.
* Whatever mental picture, back by faith, you behold in your conscious mind, and your subconscious mind will bring to pass.
*The only obstacle to your success and achievement is your own thought or mental image.
*When your attention wanders, bring it back to the contemplation of your good or goal. Make a habit of this. This is called disciplining the mind.
*The statements of others cannot hurt you except through your own thoughts and mental participation. Identify your self with your aim, which is peace, harmony, and joy. You are the only thinker in your universe.
*Excessive drinking is an unconscious desire to escape. The cause of alcoholism is negative and destructive thinking. The cure is to think of freedom, sobriety, and perfection and to feel the thrill of accomplishment.
*Your imagination took you to the bottle; let it take you to freedom by imagining you are free.
*When fear knocks at the door of your mind, let faith in God and all things good open the door.
In this chapter Murphy talks about the habits we have created in the physical world and how we as humans can either break or build these manners. We are all creatures of habit and these habits are actually the functions of our subconscious mind. At a young age we all had to learn to do things that seemed foreign to us but are now second nature. This may include riding a bike, swimming or driving a car. At first we had to think very hard and concentrate when doing these actions, but now they are automatic and the subconscious mind has taken over.
It's important to remember that thoughts can become habitual. What kind of messages are constantly being repeated in your mind? Are they thoughts of things that are good, positive, and true? Or are they negative, gloomy and charged with fear and anxiety? "The law of your subconscious is compulsion." Just as you are free to choose a good habit or a bad habit you are also free to choose the nature of your thoughts.
Recently, I had an epiphany about the habitual thinking that I had fallen into. My thoughts were constantly charged with negativity, anxiety, and often times exaggerated real life scenarios. I am someone who works very hard as a teacher and not only do I want to serve my students and their parents, but I also want to please my administration and colleagues. Last winter, I began experiencing a great deal of anxiety that seemed to last through the end of my summer vacation. I tried so many things to keep the emotions at bay. I exercised, changed my diet, kept positive quotes in my pocket and gave myself plenty of time to relax. However, near the last two weeks of my summer break, the anxiety seemed to lift and I felt returned to my normal self. What was different? Stepping away from work for such a long period of time gave me a new perspective. It took about four weeks for me to stop THINKING about work. It was then that I realized that I really hadn't taken hold of my thoughts as much as I believed I had. Many times in the teaching world you have to analyze things from many angles. It may be figuring out the details of a lesson, which takes a great deal of thinking ahead. Teachers do not just need to select the content that is being taught but they also need to think of things like, how will students retrieve materials? What if one gets done before the rest of the class? Which students will need more support and which ones will need to be challenged? How will I keep the noise level under control? How much time will they take to complete the activity? Who will the students work with on this project and why? I would also face scenarios with parents and colleagues that I believed I needed to reflect on and "think through."
In my mind I thought I was problem solving, when in actuality, I was allowing the problem to grow and making it worse. I discovered that one of my habits is to have conversations in my head. For example, if I had a confrontation with a coworker or parent I would imagine what he or she might say to me about the situation. I would then come up with a response to their answer and then he or she would reply. As I walked through these conversations, which occurred silently in my brain at all hours of the day, I felt emotions that were very real. I would feel the heat of frustration start to well up in my stomach as I brushed my teeth, or did the dishes. I wasn't even at work! That conversation had not happened and there was no reason for me to be frustrated. I was simply manifesting a negative situation that was not real in the slightest. Later on at work, I would then be on edge when I would see that specific person because I had just associated very real feelings with a completely negative mind set.
I was experiencing a mental block. When I finally got to get away from work for a while and hit the "reset" button, it gave me the opportunity to truly change my thinking. I now focus on things that are true...not what I think might happen. If I have just come home from work and want to relax, that doesn't just mean my physical body relaxes, it means my brain must relax as well. I had to stop discussing negative things that happened at work with whoever would listen, and I had to stop replaying scenarios in my brain. I am now back at work and have surprised myself with how calm I feel internally. When I start to slip back into my negative thinking pattern, I instead sing an uplifting song or imagine how positive and blessed my day is going to be. Quite frankly, if I'm not at work there is no reason I should be thinking about work. If you never allow your brain to rest and relax then you might as well never leave the office in the first place.
This habit I developed was a mental block that got in the way of all of my positive desires. It was through a change that I was finally able to remove it.
In this chapter Murphy says, "when you really have an intense desire to over come any block in your life, and you come to a clear-cut decision that there is a way out, and that is the course you wish to follow, then victory and triumph are assured."
I was able to relate this next paragraph to my own life as he wrote, "If you really want peace of mind and inner calm, you will get it. Regardless of how unjustly you have been treated, or how unfair the boss has been, or what a mean scoundrel someone has proved to be, all this makes no difference to you when you awaken to your mental and spiritual powers. You know what you want, and you will definitely refuse to let the thieves (thoughts) of hatred, anger, hostility and ill will rob you of peace, harmony, health and happiness. You cease to become upset by people, conditions, news, and events by identifying your thoughts immediately with your aim in life. Your aim is peace, health, inspiration, harmony and abundance. Feel a river of peace flowing through you now."
In every chapter, Murphy shares the actual prayer/meditation that one of his acquaintances has used to bring an intention to pass. In this blog, I would like to personally share something that I have been doing every morning. My goal this school year is to have inner peace and remain calm in all situations. Too many times last year my blood would quickly boil when a student did not follow directions or an administrator asked yet another thing of me. I know from reading this book that it is in my power to be calm no matter what scenario I am in.
Each morning, after my shower, I put on a fluffy robe and sit on my recliner. For ten minutes I use a meditation timer app that plays the wonderful sounds of a rainstorm mixed with 4 rings of a low toned bell. I relax my body and put myself in the rain (one of my favorite places to be). I smell the fresh, cool air that I know exists there and breathe deeply. On each bell I say a word, and my sentence ends up being, "Peace begins with me." No other words enter my thoughts or leave my lips except for the sentence, "Peace begins with me." This is a wonderful reminder for me of not only my intention, but of my power. It is not "I will be peaceful until someone pisses me off.." It is, "I am the source of peace."
No one can stir up negative emotions within unless you give yourself permission to do so. I spent so many months bringing anxiety, fear, and stress upon myself when it never needed to occur. I had to remove the mental block.
I want to end this blog post with a final quote from this chapter. It applies to our everyday lives whether we are facing a major crisis or simply trying to maintain the peace we have already achieved. "When fear knocks at the door of your mind, or when worry, anxiety, and doubt cross your mind, behold your vision, your goals. Keep on, persevere, until the day breaks, and the shadows flee away."
Other important notes from this chapter:
* The solution lies within the problem. The answer is in every question. Infinite intelligence responds to you as you call upon it with faith and confidence.
*Habit is the function of your subconscious mind. There is no greater evidence of the marvelous power of your subconscious than the force and sway habit holds in your life. You are a creature of habit.
* Whatever mental picture, back by faith, you behold in your conscious mind, and your subconscious mind will bring to pass.
*The only obstacle to your success and achievement is your own thought or mental image.
*When your attention wanders, bring it back to the contemplation of your good or goal. Make a habit of this. This is called disciplining the mind.
*The statements of others cannot hurt you except through your own thoughts and mental participation. Identify your self with your aim, which is peace, harmony, and joy. You are the only thinker in your universe.
*Excessive drinking is an unconscious desire to escape. The cause of alcoholism is negative and destructive thinking. The cure is to think of freedom, sobriety, and perfection and to feel the thrill of accomplishment.
*Your imagination took you to the bottle; let it take you to freedom by imagining you are free.
*When fear knocks at the door of your mind, let faith in God and all things good open the door.
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