Are You a Coward?

Before you answer the above question, let’s define the word “coward.”
1. Afraid. Are you afraid to take chances?
2. Scared. Do you panic when you are asked to give a speech?
3. Yellow. Do you sit in the back of the room?
4. Chicken. Do you let someone else take the lead?
5. Jellyfish. Do you blend into the mob?
Now what’s your answer? If you could silently, quietly, and clearly peer into the hearts of the sad failures in life, if you could learn the secrets of men and women who merely go through the motions, who make up the masses of humanity that have complained their way through life, then you would discover the tale of fear, cringing, hesitating, shrinking, and mental cowardice.
It is a tragedy. It is the life history of a well-meaning soul seeking higher levels of Success and Happiness but bound and handcuffed to that ever present “Oh, I better not; I don’t think it will work, or I tried it before and it can’t be done.” Instead of a life of health, happiness, and financial ease, they sink into oblivion, only to rise up and tell you that it cannot be done. They hear, “Who do you think you are? There is no way you can do that!”
The race for Success and Happiness requires men and women who dare to be great. In order to dare to be great you must go through four stages to be mentally tough.
1. I wish for success.
Wishing is simply having the craving.
2. I desire success.
Desire is having the passion for success.
3. I am resolved upon my success.
Resolved is the determination to overcome all obstacles.
4. I demand and insist that I become successful.
Demand is a “full speed ahead, damned the torpedoes” attitude.
If you are to go all the way with me, you must have an open mind.

Today’s Exercise: Open your mind. Go through the four steps, then either put the book away or turn the page.
Today’s Affirmation: I have a positive mental attitude, therefore I am a success.
Points to Ponder: The race for Success and Happiness requires men and women who dare to be great.

Attraction

People who tend to make excuses for their poor relationships keep justifying them by saying opposites attract. This way, they justify the miserable relationship they are currently in. Nothing is further from the truth. Opposites do not attract. Take two magnets put them together. Positives will always attract positives and negatives will always attract negatives. Poor relationships are always the result of negative thinking individuals getting together. You see it on TV and in the movies where the girl says, “I can’t understand how all these dead beats find a way to my door?” The reason is because she sends out a beacon that says, “ I really don’t like myself, so I will settle for anything.” The guy who goes after women like this in a sense says, “ I can get away with anything with a girl like this so why shouldn’t I?”
You will attract the kind of person that is a perfect match for you. So, if your relationships never seem to work out, you only have yourself to blame. The basis of all workable relationships is love and happiness and that means it’s up to you.
You must love God and love yourself before you can really love another human being. You also have to make up your mind that only you can make you happy. Once you commit yourself to matching up and be a part of a loving universe, then providence moves too, and unforeseen prosperity comes your way. The right people will arrive to assist you in every aspect of your life. Those who would support you in your career appear. The right person who will help you create your perfect home life, all of the sudden will pop up out of nowhere. If it’s money you are looking for the right financing magically appears. People with the same interest you have suddenly are everywhere. Your soul mate appears out of the crowd, a chance meeting, a missed taxi, a turn down the wrong street, nothing happens by accident.
There is no such thing as a coincidence. Coincidence is a mathematical term “coincide,” meaning when two angles come together they fit perfectly. You will have to let go of any resistance to your ability to attract the right people or you won’t recognize them when they show up.
Be aware the right people are looking for you and they won’t recognize you if you’re buried under a cloud of self-pity, loneliness, or a constant complainer. In fishing, you have to use the right bait. The right bait for you is love and happiness.

Today’s Exercise: Look for a coincidence as a sign.
Today’s Affirmation: I am enthusiastic and confident.
Points to Ponder: Once you commit yourself to matching up and be part of a loving Universe, then providence moves too, and unforeseen prosperity comes your way.

Shame

Shame is another cause for highly stressed people. In East Indian and Native cultures banishment was the worst kind of shame that could be administered. Those that were banished usually died in a very short while. In today’s society it’s a little more subtle yet just as effective.
Look at a high school student who may not be accepted with the “in crowd” because they are too smart or too dumb. Maybe their clothes do not represent the latest fad. Look at the country club that bars a person because of their religion or color. How about the church that doesn’t allow gay couples or the military that doesn’t allow high school drop outs. Banishment is a way of life for those who don’t fit into a particular mold.
Shame in my opinion, is the cause behind the concept of Hell, damnation and punishment. People who suffer from severe cases of shame need to accept the love of God. God loves you no matter what or who you are. God made you perfect, the shame you feel is really a lack of love for yourself. Once you love God, yourself and everything that God created then you will know peace and all stress will be eliminated.

Today’s Exercise: Never, never, never, make fun of anyone.
Today’s Affirmation: I am a calm, peaceful and patient person.
Points to Ponder: Shame in my opinion is the cause behind the concept of Hell.

Spiritual Prayers

This is how a spiritual person should pray.
I am happy. I feel great.
I am successful.
I am calm, peaceful and patient.
I am loved because I love.
I am kind.
I am healthy. I eat right and exercise every day.
I am smoke free or alcohol free.
I am perfect. God made me.
I am a good parent.
I am a good spouse.
I am always on time.
I am a successful (insert your own word.).
I am a great teacher.
I am a good learner.
I am at the perfect weight for me.
I love my (insert your own word.).

Today’s Exercise: Pick one, say it every morning for twenty-one days.
Today’s Affirmation: The kingdom of God is within me.
Points to Ponder: I am whatever I say I am.

Love Is Good

An immature person says I love because I am loved. A mature person says I am loved because I love.
Look at the headlines in any newspaper. The headlines are appalling. Hundreds of people are killed and maimed every day in wars, and for what? The insurgents are claiming that they are doing this in the name of God. How wrong can they be! Most spiritual belief systems say, “In the beginning God created everything that was good.” Killing is not good so they can’t claim they are killing in the name of God.
The question is what can we do about it? More killing is certainly not the universal answer. Complaining and getting all stressed out is not going to change anything. The answer is what a mature person says, “I am loved because I love.” You as an individual can do something about it right now. You can show love and kindness to the very next person you come in contact with. Start with a smile and friendly Hello. If you see a co-worker struggling with something, help them out. On the way home, if you see a homeless person on the street corner with a cardboard sign, stop; give him a dollar or at least a quarter. Here is what will happen.
Every time you do an act of kindness and Love, the person doing the act will feel good. The person receiving the act will feel good and everyone in the immediate vicinity will feel good. Every act of love and kindness will spur two other acts of Love and kindness and it will be like the wave at a football stadium. Pretty soon, the whole world will feel good.
To feel good is to feel God. Then, the killing will stop. “If you change the way you pray, the results of your prayers will change.”

Today’s Exercise: Be mature person who says I am loved because I love and love is good.
Today’s Affirmation: I am loved, because I love..
Points to Ponder: World peace starts with you.

God Loves You