The Law of Attraction

[October]

I am interested in what you think about The Law of Attraction which one website defined as, "The simple point is that you get what you focus on in life. You get the types of experiences that you consistently think about, that you feel you're likely to get, that you expect and that you believe in. You attract to you that which you're emanating. "

Are there some of you who believe this or some variation of this?  Are there skeptics out there?

I like the concept.  I'm not sure how to get my "unconscious" thoughts in line.  What do you think?

I am a sceptic.  This is a variation on the theme of blaming the victim for the crime, imo.  Bad things happen to good people all the time; we do not bring it down on our own heads, whether consciously or not.

Positive thinking can be a good thing, but as I have said elsewhere it can also be a bad thing.  The trick is to achieve realistic thinking, where you recognise damage as damage, and nurturing as nurturing, and no longer confuse the two through some misguided attempt at forced optimism.

I do believe in the power of prayer, but I do not think that prayer should include any kind of magical thinking, where if I only do this, or say that, or force myself to feel in a particular way, then certain results will follow.  That is attempting to control the universe by coercion, and that is not what prayer is all about, imo.  Prayer is about connecting with the deity, and finding strength and love from doing that.  It is about trusting that deity to do what he or she has to do, and not pre-empting his or her role.

[October]

To achieve the ability to face another bad hand and NOT curl up like a burnt feather would be a vast improvement in my life.  To no longer face or fear paralyzing anxiety would give me a new life.  That is an awful lot.

Thanks Mudpuppy.

I would change the image on this one.  Instead of the feather curling up, and basically being dead and useless, we need another curling up picture.  Maybe that of a person who curls up to sleep every night, but then wakes in the morning, not dead, not useless, but strong and refreshed, and ready to face another day.  Even if it does bring paralysing anxiety, there is always that bed to curl up in and hide for a while, and grow strong once more.

Like the snowdrops hiding under my lawn at the moment, waiting for the frost and snow to come and go, and then to emerge into the world, as the first heralds of spriing.  They look so fragile, and yet they come through when the snow is still on the ground, and cope with extreme cold.  Maybe that is like you, Mudpuppy.  Some people are peonies and can only cope with June and July.  But you are a snowdrop.

[mudpuppy]

Hi October,

I'm afraid I'm more like crabgrass. It's probably just my mule-like stubborness, but I seem to be an all-season weed, as my antagonist is finding out to his regret.

mud

[CB123]

edit

[gratitude28]

I THINK this goes along with this idea (and, by the way, I learned a new word... had to look up serendipity... have heard it a thousand times but never knew what it meant).

At any rate... When I got sober the first time, I realized that when I looked around I saw good things and that there was a LOT to be thankful for. When I went back to my old ways, those signs and happy reminders were not there. Now as I "trudge the path" I truly am amazed that things do work out... maybe not the way I anticipated, but for the best all around. I do believe that I am receptive to these ideas and I ask for them.

And then there's a little voice inside of me that says it's a bushel of baloney...

But mostly I believe that there is good that finds its way to me because I am looking for it.

Took me days to reply... had to really ponder this one.
Love, Beth

[Stormchild]

I THINK this goes along with this idea (and, by the way, I learned a new word... had to look up serendipity... have heard it a thousand times but never knew what it meant).

At any rate... When I got sober the first time, I realized that when I looked around I saw good things and that there was a LOT to be thankful for. When I went back to my old ways, those signs and happy reminders were not there. Now as I "trudge the path" I truly am amazed that things do work out... maybe not the way I anticipated, but for the best all around. I do believe that I am receptive to these ideas and I ask for them.

And then there's a little voice inside of me that says it's a bushel of baloney...

But mostly I believe that there is good that finds its way to me because I am looking for it.

Took me days to reply... had to really ponder this one.
Love, Beth

Maybe good can find its way to you because you are able to recognize it and welcome it.

Yay Beth, glad you were able to talk to your husband on TG day too. Any chance of posting that picture of Henry? [this is from a different thread].

[Gaining Strength]

CB123 - I read about CBT on another forum and am curious about it thanks for mentioning that site.

In my recovery from anxiety and emotional paralysis I am identifying the sources of my fear and learning to recognize the
physiological signs of anxiety so I can head it off at the pass.  As soon as I realize that what I'm experiencing is fear, I am now
able to recognize what it emanates from so I can reason with myself and understand why it is actually a brain misfunction rather than
something to be feared.  I go on to convincing myself that I am getting better and that rather than fear the way my life is now that I must begin to PLAN how to make things better.

This sounds so obvious and simplistic but this is the first time in my life that the feelings of dread don't overtake my hope or my
optomism.  I actually remember being taught to be afraid by my father, "You better wipe that smile off your face."  What an odd thing for a parent to say to a child.  (I find myself frequently trying to encourage my child to smile and be happy.) 

Fearing rejection fed my resentment, my resentment fed my sarcastic voice and my sarcastic voice drove people away.  Voila!  I was rejected.  I am not going to live that way any more.

When I find my resentment and jealousy creeping up I just turn it around by saying, "I wish I had that in my life.  I am going to choose to be glad that they have it.  I hope to have it one day."  That "it" can be anything from a loving relative, to a job or a friend or a lifestyle - absolutely anything.  By being glad someone has something it immediately squelches my resentment and jealousy and I am better for it and feel better for it immediatelly.

This is the sort of thing that I take out of the Law of Attraction.  I am not interested in blaming myself or anyone for any tradgedy or pain nor do I think the cosmos owes me any riches, but I do believe that love is a powerful entity that we all need and that we all deserve and it is love that I long for and long to give and that is what I hope to attract and so I want to learn how to give.

That is what I want from some cosmic force.

[October]

Hi October,

I'm afraid I'm more like crabgrass. It's probably just my mule-like stubborness, but I seem to be an all-season weed, as my antagonist is finding out to his regret.

mud

If you want to be crabgrass, then go for it.  Just don't be that burnt up old feather!   

[moonlight52]

Mr Mud Sir ,

I admire Crabgrass for its steadfast quality......

moonlight 

[Gaining Strength]

CouldBe123

I appreciate your post and I admire your courage. 
 
Each and every day I face anxieties that I don't understand, but for the first time in my life I am aware of them and can refocus on some positive aspect and actually change what is going on.  One of the things that I refocus on is how much better I am getting, how much stronger I am becoming. 

This morning I sat in church wrapped up tightly in a thick coat snuggled in among hundreds of parents as our children presented Lessons and Carols.  It was a beautiful service and yet time and again I would find myself starting to panic and I would catch myself slipping into a sadness of the season with my memories floating back to my life growing up and the anxiety heightened against the image of what Christmas should be.  But my father, so stern and so negative and anxiety provoking would always create a crisis as we prepared to attend a Christmas event.  He would cause a crisis and blame it on one of the children or my mother and we would go along with him and blame whom ever he pointed the finger at.  He would with quiet severity make someone cry.  It was awful but it was supposed to be wonderful.  So Christmas holds that terrible combination for me.

Some of what you have written about your husband reminds me very much of my father.  My mother is still sorry that my father left her almost 20 years ago.  She shouldn't be, but she doesn't understand.  You life and your children's lives will be much better.  It may not seem so now and it may take time but you will get to the other side.  You have the fortitude though I have said more than once that I wish I weren't strong enough to get through but once you are through the storm life will blossom for you and my prayers are with you and your children during this difficult time.

yours - Gaining Strength