Whatever You Dwell on Will GROW
By Harriet Hairston
Sometimes life throws cliches at me that I never pay attention to until way down the line. Lately, the cliche that has been playing over and over again in my mind is this: “Whatever you dwell on will grow.”
There’s something about the power within the mind that will attract the very thoughts a person has to itself. In high school, my coach would always tell us that attitude is everything.
Well, recently my attitude towards my marriage and life in general was terrible, and like flies to funk, my life played out the very negativity my mind ruminated on.
Like I said last week, I’ve been really digging deep into the wisdom of others who have been down that road to not only understand it, but make a lasting change in my life and marriage. Norman Vincent Peale not only provided steps for keeping the marriage aflame, but also for changing mental attitudes from negative to positive. I tried them, and they really have been working for me! I hope they do the same for you:
1. For the next 24 hours, deliberately speak hopefully about everything, especially those things that are bothering you. Your jobs, health, family, future…talk optimistically.
2. After completing #1, continue the same practice for an entire week. Then you can allow yourself to be “realistic” about things. You will find that “realistic” a week ago was actually pessimistic. Now, it’s more of a positive outlook.
3. Feed your mind nourishing, wholesome thoughts. Scriptures, inspirational quotes, etc. Personally, I underlined in the Gospels all the scriptures about faith and thoughts.
4. Commit what you collect in #3 to memory, one a day until you can do the entire list. When you do this, you launch an attack against negativity by forcing it out and filling the empty space up with inspiration and encouragement.
5. Determine who is the most positive thinker among your friends and further cultivate the relationship. Ina nutshell, show me your friends, I’ll show you your future. Surround yourself with people who are positive and encouraged about their marriages, jobs, etc.
6. Avoid argument…but if a negative attitude is expressed, counter it with a positive, optimistic opinion. It’s not faking it until you make it, but faithing it until you make it. Make your faith a verb!
7. Pray with thanksgiving on the assumption that God has already provided you with great and wonderful things. There is always a spiritual aspect to these principles, and having an attitude of gratitude is highly imperative.
Norman Vincent Peale summed up these seven points with encouraging words:
To change your circumstances, first start thinking differently. Do not passively accept unsatisfactory circumstances, but form a picture in your mind of circumstances as they should be.
Life faces us with enough challenges. There is no need to build up more within our minds with negative thinking about things that should bring us joy (marriage, family, work, etc.).
God bless!
~ Harriet
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