Long-time followers of my teaching, as well as readers of this website, know that our thoughts and emotions are vibrations of energy, and as such have a direct impact on our lives. What we think and how we feel are the two most important parts of who we are. The third is our actions. Incredibly, we have the ability to monitor and direct what we think, act and feel by the thoughts we choose.
When our thoughts and emotions are directed in a positive way, they not only make us feel better, they also attract to us the conditions we are focusing on. This is sometimes referred to as the Law of Attraction. However, the exact same law is in play when we have negative thoughts or feelings about our life’s circumstances or ourselves. We must be diligent in monitoring how we think, so that negative thoughts and emotions do not find a resting place in our consciousness, then make themselves at home. Fear and worry are the two most destructive of the negative emotions, and it is these I will speak of this month.
Fear is the intense focusing of your thoughts on something you do not want to happen. By focusing on this ‘yet to happen’ event with strong emotion and intensity, you give power to these images and help to attract them. These images, charged with emotion, are powerful forces, and so imprint on the invisible matrix web of the universe, which then works to create the exact thing we fear. This is precisely what we don’t want to happen.
This is the tragedy of fear and worry, and yet often we feel we have no power over these thoughts. Here is where Mind Power comes to our assistance. Mind Power not only gives us the tools to create and manifest any situation we desire; it also gives us the tools to eliminate fear and worry with equal effectiveness. Mind Power is simply the most powerful set of tools we will ever have in our lives.
Eliminating Fear and Worry:
Rule number one: If you know what it is that you don’t want to happen to you, then don’t think those fearful thoughts. If you can remember this rule and say it to yourself as a mantra, so that it imprints into your subconscious, you will be halfway towards eliminating fear and worry from your life forever. The other half will come from following these ten techniques:
1. Next time you find yourself fearful, take a few good long breaths, relax and realize that the only thing making you fearful this very moment is the thoughts you are thinking. It is not your present circumstances, nor something that may or may not happen to you in the future; it is the thoughts you are thinking now. You are the cause of your fear. Resolve to change this.
One of the ways you can do this is by spending several minutes focusing on the exact opposite of what you have been fearing. Whatever the fear has you focusing on, change the focus to the exact opposite. You don’t need to fight fear. Observe it carefully to see what it is suggesting to you, then simply focus on the opposite. For example, if you are fearing losing your job, focus on being competent, doing a good job and being respected and rewarded accordingly. If you are fearing losing your money, focus on being successful financially, making smart decisions and living an abundant life. Fear is fed by your thoughts, and taking your thoughts away from fear eliminates it. Fear does not usually appear overnight. It often has its root in regular worrying, which then progresses to the point where it becomes fear. So to eliminate this happening we eliminate worrying. Easier said then done? Not at all, once you understand and practice the principles.
2. Practice the five techniques for eliminating negatives (see the Mind Power practices section of this website.)
3. Recognize that the essential component of worry is always “future orientation.” In other words, when you worry, you invariably focus on something that might happen but hasn’t happened yet. You might argue that you worry about the things that are happening right now, not in the future. A closer look, however, will reveal the truth that worry is like a ghost tormenting you with a terrifying view of the future. It is always about the future. Knowing this takes away the power of this view.
4. Track your worries by keeping a journal of them. You can’t change worrying until you know what you’re worrying about. What are the common themes of your worrying? Health? Finances? Relationships? Family? Know where you are most vulnerable. Knowing this will help you recognize worrying when it slips into your mind.
5. Learn the difference between concern and worry. Concern about the different aspects of our life and what may or may not happen is valid and beneficial. It allows us to view our life and to be proactive in making positive choices. This is a very constructive process. Worry, on the other hand, is simply focusing on what could go wrong. It has no positive aspect to it. Not only are we focusing on this negative outcome but also we are giving it energy. Why would you do that?
6. Recognize the cost of worrying. Yes, there is a cost. Firstly, it causes stress, which in turn affects our health and our decision-making process. You don’t make good decisions when you’re worried. Secondly it actually attracts to us the circumstances we are worrying about, especially if we start to fear it. Understanding this, we choose to not worry. It is not worth the time or effort, and it is always counterproductive.
7. Challenge catastrophic thinking: Most of us exaggerate our situations during fearful times, projecting ourselves into the most dire circumstances. We let worry carry us away. Resolve to not let this happen. There are solutions to every problem, and undoubtedly it will not become as bad as the fear is projecting. Don’t let worst-case scenarios dominate your thinking. There is every possibility that the situation won’t be a bad as you think, and it could be a whole lot better. There may well be hidden benefits and blessings that you haven’t even thought of.
8. Trust that the Universe will unfold as it should. Have faith that what is meant to happen will happen and that it will be for the best. If you have a spiritual belief, then let this nourish and guide you. Let go of the worry and realize neither God nor the universe wants you to worry. Worry is showing lack of trust. It means you have no faith. Trust and act in a proactive way. What you can change, change. What you cannot, leave it alone. There are always forces at work beyond what we can understand. Trust in them and assist them by expecting the best.
9. Practice Mind Power. The daily practice of Mind Power will keep worry from overpowering you. Fear and worry will find no fertile place to take root in a mind that is aware and conscious of itself. Mind Power is your best friend and most powerful tool. Use it.
10. Have some fun. Fun is one of the most honest and reassuring feelings. It always acts as healing balm, restoring our sense of balance. Our situations always seem different and less stressful after a time of fun. And you don’t have to spend money to have fun. Fun is possible in almost any situation. Play with your kids and do something outrageous. Go to the park and roll around on the grass. Spend an afternoon reading in the sun. The ways of having fun are endless, limited only by your imagination and willingness to do it. Reward yourself with some fun every day.