by Rev. Marla Sanderson
One of the things I love about the Science of Mind (the New Thought philosophy of which I am a practitioner) is that we teach people how to think—not what to think.
In one way or another, most of us get shown what to think from birth. We’re bombarded with ideas and ideals, rights and wrongs. We get them from parents (and their parents), teachers, churches and friends. TV shows and movies have their message, while talk shows and newscasts shame and shape us into thinking a certain way.
Some of it works for us and some of it doesn’t.
One of the most empowering discoveries of my life was to learn that my thoughts create my world—present and future.
After 30 years of believing life “just happened,” it finally came to me. I was doing it to myself.
This startling truth changed everything for me. Driving to and from work, I found myself thinking about things other than how I’d spend my next paycheck or what I would do Saturday night. I began wondering about the purpose of life and what happens after we die. Life’s big questions became more interesting than my usual worries. And it didn’t stop there.
Problems and difficulties seemed to have a transparency that allowed me to see through to some new Truth. Sometimes it was simply “poof!” and the weight of the situation lightened. Sometimes it was a huge struggle—and for that, I was glad to have certain spiritual values to guide me.
The concept of Unconditional Love gave me principles to live by. They were simple to understand, challenging to live up to, and brought new levels of confidence and joy.
The responsibility to change things always came back to my thinking, and my life blossomed. I was feeling happy, carefree and powerful. Not because I was changing the world, but because I was changing my view of it.
I attracted loving, creative partners and friends. I discovered how limited my thinking had been and how much I’d missed because of it. It was especially painful to let go of those treasured beliefs I thought made me ME.
But they were just concepts—perceived notions. And letting go of concepts about the world, people around me and especially myself opened my mind and heart. It allowed me to see a bigger picture and to love more. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth every tear. (Yes, there were tears.)
I seemed to be growing by leaps and bounds. I hardly recognized myself considering the way I’d always been.
Even my name didn’t fit anymore. So I changed it. I don’t mind telling you that rattled a few people who didn’t begin to understand what was happening to me. Some thought I’d lost my mind, some thought I was avoiding the law or the bill collectors.
None of it was true. I was growing into a bigger version of myself and learning that what other people thought about it didn’t matter.
Through it all, I learned how to think in ways that turned bad situations into good ones. And fear was no longer my master.
But enough about me. You’ll make your own magic as you follow your particular path.
Getting back to the “how to think, not what to think” message I’ve chosen this month, here are a few tips I learned about “how” to think.
Remember that life will always get better if you let it.
Nurture a positive outlook and be open to new possibilities. (Remember, negative thinking also works.)
Learn to accept “what is” instead of fighting it. Fighting “what is” just makes you miserable.
Stop justifying your point of view. If it needs justifying, it’s probably not doing you a lot of good
Invite Unconditional Love into your life.
We are all unique expressions of Divine Life. You don’t need anyone to tell you what to think. If your thinking is wrong, it will show up in your life as a challenge or an obstacle. When it does, let go, take a positive mental approach, and always declare “Something good will come from this.”
For more on unconditional love, check out my website www.newthoughtglobal.org/12 Pathways
Rev. Marla Sanderson is a skilled spiritual counselor, speaker, teacher, and workshop leader. She has studied and practiced the Science of Happiness and Science of Mind for over 40 years.Her website, The New Thought Global Network, showcases ideas from many New Thought disciplines. She is ordained in the Centers for Spiritual Living. (Religious Science). Contact her at 727-475-8991, or revmarla@newthoughtglobal.org. Website: http://www.newthoughtglobal.org.