These days I hear more and more people talking about how much they fear the future.
Yes, we are living in uncertain times, but all times are truly uncertain. However, what many people don’t understand – even though Franklin D. Roosevelt knew it when he gave his inaugural address in 1932 as the world teetered on the verge of war – is that fear cultivates more fear. This is why FDRs’ poignant words, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” will forever ring true.
Today, we know more than ever before about the brain, how the mind works and how powerfully thoughts shape reality both positively and negatively. Yet a majority of people are still unaware, or they simply find the idea too hard to believe.
The thoughts each one of us entertains are the ones most frequently brought to bear in reality. This has given rise to another popular saying that, “perception is reality.” This is similar in concept to the self-fulfilling prophecy which is a strongly held belief that something that something is true when in reality it is false.
Basically, many people live in a state of fearful delusion rather than truth. In psychology, self-fulfilling prophecies are defined as behavioral confirmation effects in which behavior, influenced by expectations, causes those expectations to come true. Whether you entertain positive thoughts or negative thoughts and believe them to be true you are right, as Henry Ford said.
What Would You Like To See
“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.” Mahatma Gandhi
As we move through the year, I like to refine my visions for the future. I tend to agree with Gandhi who believes in changing oneself in order to change the attitude of others toward oneself. Digging deep into your own values may help you create a vision of what you would like to see in your life. If you are always arguing with your spouse or children, can you envision peaceful communications?
If you are unhappy with the political situation, is there something specific you feel called to do? How can you participate in a positive way? Envisioning what you would like to see and sharing that vision with others could lead to positive change.
Would you like to experience more cooperation at your workplace? How can you contribute to making your workplace more positive? Imagine it in detail. Then decide how you can make it happen. Take the initiative to be a force for positive change. Become known as a visionary thinker in your company, your family, your church, school or wherever you spend time with others.
Hold Your Vision As Your Goal
Like any other goal you set for yourself, you must practice seeing in your mind’s eye the positive things you want to happen. In order to achieve it you must first see it in your mind and hang onto that image until you are living it. It’s like creating a story, step-by-step. You will then be able to tell the story of how you created a magnificent change in your life. And who knows who you will inspire to make a positive change too.
