Sometimes we see things that are optical illusions*

*something that deceives or misleads intellectually.

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Have you been deceived or mislead intellectually lately?

How about the economy? Have you heard? This is the worst of economic times since 'the great depression'.  Jobs are being lost. Companies are closing. Things are; tough, awful, bad, lousy, el stinko. Perhaps you have been adversely effected in some way.

Just another optical illusion?

This is for sure; many will struggle. And yet, despite 'tough times', and maybe because of 'tough times', there will be new and successful companies emerging in this economic climate.

There will be individuals who will passionately and tenaciously act upon their ideas, (thought to be 'off the wall' by some), and will prosper and thrive in the most totally creative, totally legal, totally innovative, totally rewarding ways. Where do you think great discoveries, great inventions and great insights come from, chopped liver?

These are the times that call for extra-ordinary ideas. Those hearing the call may be working in their garages, the likes of the young Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, exploring  beyond ‘what is’ to ‘what could be’, asking....'Why not?' instead of  'Why?'.

These are the times that remind the open-minded among us that; we are not victims of  circumstance……but creatures of habit.

It’s a victim-minded habit, picked up and reinforced by others, that is the culprit......not circumstances.

“Circumstance does not make the man (or woman).

Circumstance reveals man to himself (and woman to herself).”

...........Ralph Waldo Emerson

The truth is; there are those that succeed even in the worst of times. They can't help it. It's a habit. There are those that struggle even in the best of times. It's a habit.

If you have figured out that a victim mind-set is a habit, and like all habits can be broken, you have opened yourself to the realization that; there is not you AND the economy....... .......there is only you AS the economy.

The economy is a bunch of facts. Facts are neutral. It’s how you interpret facts that become your experiences. And your interpretation of facts is a reflection of your habitual sense of Self. The economy is to you as you are to it. Creative options and ideas are revealed to those unconcerned with facts that imply the odds for success are too great.

The Wright Brothers didn't pay attention to facts that indicated a flying machine was beyond reality. Guess what? They flew. You too will fly. You will fly over the illusion of obstacles to your greater success and well-being as you pay attention to the nature of your true Self. If you sell yourself short by habitually thinking that creative options and opportunities are unavailable because of something or other, guess what? Your experiences will reflect limited ideas and options. That's what. 

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely

to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy,

or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our

discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts (habits that limit us),

and start searching for different ways or truer answers.

-------M. Scott Peck

These are the times that 'out of the box' visionaries are ripe for. If not you…..who? If not now…….when? Are you what you have been looking for?

Life is just a mirror, reflecting what is true,

not with what's out there, but what's going on with you.

Kapish?

Happy trails,

Harvey

 

If all the wisest and deep thinking philosophical men and woman were placed end to end......it would look pretty, pretty ridiculous. However, if asked, they would most likely agree to the same things regarding life and living;  'You are the captain of your ship, the master of your fate'. 'Success is an inside job'. 'Believe in yourself.' 'The kingdom of God is within'. 'Accentuate the positive'. 'Life is what you make it.' 'Attitude is everything'.......etc. etc. etc.

If you really believed that 'success is an inside job', you would never depend upon anyone or anything, other than your natural essence, for realizing your highest ideals and desires. If you really believed.

If you really believed that 'life is what you make it', you would never choose to experience disappointment and anger from someone who 'done you wrong'. But rather choose to experience a more glorious direction in life that better suites your special gifts and talents. If you really believed. You might even want to send the someone who 'done you wrong' a thank you note for being on your path of self discovery. (Maybe not.)

If you really believed that you can 'think and grow rich', you would be able to think yourself to greater wealth and security, regardless of crummy economic conditions. If you really believed.

The greatest discovery of the 20th Century is that our attitude of mind determines our quality of life, not circumstances.

--------William James, father of modern day psychology

If you really believed that your attitude of mind determines your quality of life, not circumstances, you would realize that to attempt to change something undesirable in your life without changing the state of  mind that brought about something undesirable in the first place......will be futile.

If you did not believe that your attitude of mind determines your quality of life you would solidify the illusion that someone or something is responsible for your tale of woe......and that someone or something is responsible for your greater success and joy in life. What happened to 'You are the captain of your ship, the master of your fate', yadda, yadda, yadda?

Here is your assignment:

With a ball point or felt tip pen draw a happy face on your thumb. Two dots for

the eyes and a smile for the mouth. Look at your thumb, and with as much

conviction you can muster, affirm the following:

Life IS what I make it, it's whatever I decide.

Look at your thumb during the course of the day.

 It will reinforce your decision.

 

If you decide to take this assignment don't be surprised to find  yourself

more receptive to ideas that guide you to greater success and well-being.

As a matter of fact, you can expect it.

 

Be sure to re-draw a fading happy face on your thumb

while reinforcing (re-thinking) at the same time:

Life IS what I make it. It's whatever I decide.

I decide to make it wonderful. There is no better ride.

 

This assignment is to continue each day until the next assignment in the next issue of 'The 11th Commandment'.

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"A strong passion for any object will ensure success,

for the desire of the end will point out the means."

---------William Hazlitt

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"When an agnostic dies, does he go to the "great perhaps"?

---------Rodney Dangerfield

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"We are what we repeatedly do.

 Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
----------Aristotle

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"There's no present.

There's only the immediate future and the recent past."
 ---------George Carlin

 

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"If you believe that feeling bad or worrying long enough

will change a past or future event, then you are residing on

another planet with a different reality system."

 ----------William James

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66% of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey.

 

That's a wrap!

 

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