WHO ARE YOU… REALLY?
I was hooked with the first book I read on the transformative practice of developing and maintaining a positive mindset. You become what you think about.
The Power of the Subconscious Mind, by Joseph Murphy, was the only book remaining unread in my Audible library. It has been there for years—a freebie of the month—and that’s probably why I hadn’t ever gotten a round to it. I was heading out for my daily winter walk (in Florida ◡̈ ) and needed something to distract me from counting steps, so I pushed play.
Remember when “New Age” became a thing back in the 70’s-80’s, and your mom warned you ad nauseum about buying into energy talk and crystals and ouija boards? When the narrator began the introduction, I immediately got Twilight Zone vibes— and that same nervous feeling like I was doing something “New Agey” and she was going to find out I was flirting with the sidelines of hell.
It was an intriguing beginning…and Satan be damned…the guy quoted a Bible verse so I was going to stick it out for at least another few miles. You can probably guess that since I’m writing a whole post about it, I was hooked. I listened while getting ready, in the car, and while falling asleep (his voice is perfect for drifting off into the subconscious realm of sleep).
Okay, wow, that was a longer than necessary opener, but just breaking you in. You’ll soon see that wordiness is me. Now onto the main course.
My husband, Matt, never knows or even asks about what I’m reading…and I’m not a great one for giving a good, concise summary, so that’s fair…however, I couldn’t stop giving snippets of what I was learning. He’d ask, “How is your back?” I’d answer, “It’s getting better and I’m more mobile today than yesterday.” And, “How did you play in your pickleball match?” “I played really well,” I said, “I was remembering strategy and positioning and felt strong.”
I wasn’t complaining about injuries and ailments. I was rehearsing that I have been given the mind of Christ and that his Infinite Intelligence empowers me to do things beyond my conscious capacity; that my body is fearfully and wonderfully made in His likeness and that each muscle, joint, tendon and cell is in perfect health and harmony. I was telling myself that good things happen to me and to those I love, and that I’m thrilled for the good fortune of others and fully believe having a positive mindset can change the world…it can heal people, bring them together, and generate a chain for generosity.
I mean, that’s a huge change from my usual talk—just speaking exactly what I feel when I feel it. But when I do that…when YOU do that, we’re just telling our subconscious brain what to bring about. “He’s always going to cheat,” “I’m too needy,” “My body is failing me.” The sub mind BELIEVES what you tell it! Think of how often we, as betrayed partners, speak negatively about him, ourselves, our pasts, presents, and futures.
I don’t know how much of a guarantee there is that if we repeat something enough and refuse entertaining any negative thoughts, that our wish for whatever will come true—but I do know that Matt asked to read the book after my first five rolls in Backgammon were doubles!
Give it a try. Start speaking what you want into existence. Our brains are equipped to do so much more than we can comprehend—Re-wire it by training it.
We Become What We Think About.
