Mind Over Matter -- The Power of Thoughts

One of the greatest challenges in life is understanding just how powerful our thoughts are. Many of us learn this the hard way -- myself included. After spending most of my early life caught up in negative thought patterns, it occurred to me that I had created exactly what I had been thinking about all those years.

I worked at a stressful, unfulfilling job. I had an extremely low income, and no matter how hard I tried to improve my financial situation, I was always broke. I struggled with various addictions. I was alone, and felt I deserved to be alone for the rest of my life. Obviously, I had no self-esteem. It took me many years to realize that I was creating ALL of it. Why would a person want to create such frustration and hardship? I didn't want to, I just didn't know how NOT to. I didn't realize I had a choice in the matter.

While I do believe that there is such a thing as fate or destiny, there are far fewer instances of that in our lives than we think. More often than not, our thoughts work against us and we can live our entire lives being completely unaware of it. The good news is that we can consciously choose to have our thoughts work for us, rather than against us. All it takes is the willingness to believe it's possible, and of course, the willingness to do the work required.

Okay, so how do we change our thoughts? By purposely feeding our minds more positive material. Remember that your life as it exists today is the direct result of your past and present beliefs about yourself. You may or may not be aware of these beliefs on a conscious level, but that doesn't matter. The most important thing is to begin changing those beliefs NOW. This will eventually override the negative messages, and your life will change. Whether you want to lose a few pounds, make more money, meet your soulmate or write a best-selling novel, know that you DO have the power to do it.

The first step is to convince yourself that you deserve it. That is probably the most difficult thing to change for most of us. Know that the universe wants you to be happy, fulfilled and prosperous. Why? Simply because you can effect more positive growth for the rest of the planet also. Think about that for a moment. If you are constantly struggling to make ends meet, or feeling drained and stressed by your job, or overwhelmed by personal struggles, how much are you able to help others who are in even worse situations? Probably not much. If things are going very well for you and you have plenty of resources at your disposal, you can then use those resources to help others and make a real difference in this world. This works on two levels. First, you are able to help others by donating time and/or money. Secondly, and even more importantly, you serve as an example to others that they can also become happy, fulfilled and prosperous -- if they will only change their thoughts.

The second step is to take some time to figure out exactly what you want to create next. Be creative with it, and don't limit yourself. Dare to dream big. Even if your dream seems impossible, write it out in full detail. You can choose to work only on one aspect of your life, or several at the same time.

The third step is then to begin visualizing this dream of yours as often as you can. Don't just "see" it in your mind, really LIVE it. Feel how you will feel when it becomes reality. Know that this dream of yours is very possible. This will generate positive energy that will actually attract the opportunities and circumstances you need to help this reality form in the physical world.

Finally, begin taking action on your dream. It doesn't matter how large or small the steps you take. The most important thing is that you do what you can to create more openings in your life for the new circumstances to enter. If your goal is to increase your income, you may need to apply for a better job or start your own business. If you are seeking to meet someone, you may need to become more active socially. Again, do something to help this reality manifest.

Our thoughts create an irresistible magnetism around us that attracts certain energies, which then causes the formation of certain circumstances. By replacing old, negative thought patterns with positive, faith-filled energy, our lives will change for the better. Once again, we will have created exactly what we've been thinking about. Mind Over Matter

Wendy Betterini is an inspirational writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.

---

Develop Your Soul Goals!

Occasionally when I talk with people about goals they seem to interpret the intention of goals as being to get more things. Naturally things are important but there is so much more to... Read More

Goal Setting ? The Importance of Stern Resolve!

"Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page...on the first of January let every may straighten himself once more, with his face to the... Read More

Stop Setting Goals; Make Decisions Instead

Every private client I work with begins at the same place. They first paint a clear picture of their goals, from the future back to today.Then they make a conscious decision to realize... Read More

Focus

To have a goal is like having a road map. It shows you where to go, and where not to go. Would you begin a trip to an unknown city without first looking... Read More

Blogging Your Way to Goal Success

If you have always been procrastinating on how to get started or going with your goals, try this interesting method. Write a blog."What? You are asking me to publicly declare my goals?" Before... Read More

Fear Factor

Is it possible for an individual to pass a course of instruction with high marks and remain ineffective?Is it possible that this person never actually learned anything, but merely gathered enough information and... Read More

Goal Setting

The goal-setting process enables an organization to check on the attainment of both its short-term and long-term objectives. When properly done, this process provides an array of valuable benefits and is a link... Read More

Business Goal Setting and Then Following Through

Your business can't go according to plan if you have no plan.What do you want to achieve this year? More new customers per week? Higher average order amounts? Better customer service ratings? No... Read More

Successful Goal Setting and Achievement

The first step to success, of course, is to set a goal. You can't get anywhere if you're not heading in that direction. Intention is essential.The second step to achieve success is to... Read More

Discover the Key to Self-confidence

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation" - Arthur AsheSelf-confidence is necessary for successAs Arthur Ashe says preparation is an important key to self-confidence. And preparation... Read More

The Future: Help is Available

How important do you believe it is to think about and visualize your future life?How important would it be to you if your cab driver wandered all over town, never getting anywhere but... Read More

Four Steps to Goal Setting

When setting goals it is important to know if the goal is realistically attainable. Time is precious; you don't want to waste it moving toward a goal that you will never be able... Read More

Top 10 Ways to Ensure New Years Resolution Success

Did you know that fewer than 10% of people who set New Year's Resolutions actually achieve them? How can you ensure YOUR success? Try using the Top 10 Tips below.1. Write Them Down.... Read More

Achieving Your Goal By Relieving Yourself In Public

Most marathons provide more than their fair share of heroes and heroines who provide great examples. The London Marathon in April 2005 provided one or two especially heroic examples. The competitors have much... Read More

The Magic of Writing Goals in your life!

Goal setting is an important technique used by athletes, successful business-people, lawyers, doctors, and great achievers in all fields. Goal setting is a very powerful technique that can yield strong returns in all... Read More

Set SMART Goals to Achieve More

Are you having trouble achieving your goals, or getting through a period of no success? Then take the time to learn how to set SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Tangible.Specific Setting... Read More

The Illusion of a Final Goal

"..... there is no final goal. There is always further to go. It is a voyage of unending discovery, and as in all such voyages, what is gathered by the wayside is often... Read More

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals

I cannot stress the importance of setting goals enough. Goals give us something to work toward, and help us feel like we are moving along a specific path. Establishing goals invites us to... Read More

Put Wings On Your Dreams

We Need DreamsDreams are important. Not the dreams you have when sleeping. I'm talking about the dreams you have for your future ? the dreams that keep you going ? the dreams that... Read More

Stop Procrastinating - Start Achieving Your Goals

It has been said that 60-80% of New Year's resolutions will be broken within the first two weeks. In other words, a lot of people have a hard time making the changes in... Read More

Goals On The Wall - What Do Minnie Driver And Genghis Khan Have In Common?

Surprisingly few people regularly make lists of their goals and even fewer put their lists where they can see them. This article suggests that it is worth doing both. It also takes a... Read More

New Years Resolutions? Dont Be So Hard On Yourself

Have you set resolutions for yourself to accomplish in 2005? Maybe you want to get more exercise, eat healthier, or spend more time with your family. If you're in business for yourself, maybe... Read More

Goal Setting and Interviewing

Before you go on an interview process or even start your own business, you must set goals! As a corporation owner for over twenty years, this is how I went about setting goals... Read More

Goals

"A successful attempt at scoring"Let's break that definition of Goals down a little. When you attempt a goal, does that mean you hit the mark you were shooting for? Or does it mean... Read More

Ready, Fire, Aim

Does the sub-title to this edition of Footprints and Monuments sound familiar? It does to me in a very real way. When I was a teenager my dad and I loved to go... Read More

Housewife....Is That All You Are?

Scenario: You have taken care of the house, the kids, your husband and everything in between for years. You get a sense of happiness and joy taking care of your family, although you... Read More

How To Keep Your Resolutions and Reach Your Goals

Another year has flown by and here you are at the beginning of another year. This is a time when many people assess their life and make "new year resolutions" or set goals... Read More

Is that W-A-L-R-U-S?

A few years back, I went to London, England. I needed to get a passport-like photo taken, but the machine I wanted to use was out of order. When I called the company... Read More

Writing a Mission and Vision Statement

Last year, I attended a seminar where the attendees were asked to define their personal mission or purpose in one sentence. Out of about a group of about three hundred people, fewer than... Read More