Most of us never stop wanting to get more out of life.  And the more we understand how we create our reality–the more we realize that there is no reason we can’t live the life of our dreams.

If we grasp only one fragment of information about the Universal laws—one something that helps us to keep it all in perspective—perhaps it should be this:  The Universe says yes.  God says yes. Source Energy says yes. No matter what word you use to describe All-That-Is, the answer is the same: Yes.

When our lives aren’t panning out the way we desire, it is not because the Universe is saying no.  When we feel like we just can’t get more out of life, it is not because God is denying us.  We live in an inclusive Universe so the answer is always and forever YES.  Yes to you and yes to me.  Yes to us all.  The answer is yes to what we think. Yes to what we believe. Yes to all that we allow into our life experience.

Whether or not the yeses work out in your favor is up to you.  The laws of the Universe are consistent, so we never need to guess.  The response won’t change, thus we need only to shift what is being responded to. So, here’s the big question:  In your life, what is the Universe saying yes to?  What is the content of your asking?

Before you answer, take a look at some common thoughts and consider the result of the Universe’s response.

The thought: I wish I wasn’t sick all the time.

The Universe’s response: Yes to thoughts of sickness…yes to yearning for improved health

The thought: I really need to find a better job.

The Universe’s response: Yes to longing for fulfilling employment…yes to lack of a desirable job

The thought: It’s too bad I’m not a better parent.

The Universe’s response: Yes to dissatisfaction with parenting.

The thought: I want that new house more than anything

The Universe’s response: Yes to wanting, longing, yearning for that new house. Yes to the feeling of lack.

The thought: My life would be better if I was smarter

The Universe’s response: Yes to discontentment with life. Yes to less than desirable life experiences.

You see… your reality is created according to what you ask for and what you allow into your life. Of course  Universal Law of Attraction manifestation doesn’t occur immediately, but we all eventually experience the result of what we put out into the Universe.  In other words, the Universal laws are not working for or against you.  It is only YOU that is working for or against you.  You decide whether or not you get more out of life. The Universe simply complies.  And that compliance means something different for everyone.

So, when the Universe says yes to you, is that a yes to abundance or a yes to lack?  Is it a yes to wellness or a yes to lack of wellness?  Is it a yes to having or a yes to wanting?  Are you making the most of YES?

Related Self Improvement Blog Posts

How to Stop Resisting Law of Attraction Manifestation

Universal Law of Attraction Myths: Truth vs. Hype

Never Satisfied: Law of Attraction Tips for Those Who Always Want More

This week’s focus is on understanding Universal Law of Attraction.  It is my hope that self improvement success will flow to you more easily through an increased awareness of how we create our own reality. If you haven’t read Part 1 of this series, don’t miss out on the first 3 Universal Law of Attraction Myths.  The more information you have on applying Law of Attraction to your life—the better.

Law of Attraction Myth 4: Positive thinking about what you desire is required for manifestation of the desire

While positive thinking is key to attracting pleasing experiences, thinking positively about a particular subject is not a prerequisite for Law of Attraction manifestation.

Let’s say you desire a wonderful, romantic relationship.  However, you’ve had so many bad experiences with previous relationships that you have no faith in finding love.  In this situation, positive thinking about relationships may be difficult at best.  In fact, lying to yourself about your own beliefs may make you feel even worse.   So, what do you do?  The answer: start thinking positively about something else.

The subject matter of your thoughts isn’t nearly as important as the vibrational tone of your thoughts.   In other words, it is easier and more effective to manifest your desires by focusing on whatever feels good rather than trying to force yourself to feel good while focusing on something that you’re uptight about.

The Universal Law of Attraction exists for your benefit.  And the Universe knows what you want.  Now you simply need to allow manifestation.  You don’t have to think positive thoughts about money or relationships in order to attract them; but you do have to stop thinking counter-productive, negative thoughts that resist what the Universe is ready to manifest.

Law of Attraction Myth 5: It doesn’t matter what you feel, just what you think

Universal Law of Attraction responds to the vibration of our thoughts.  But how could we deliberately benefit from it without a way to determine our current thought vibration?  Luckily, we don’t have to worry about that.

Because of all the subconscious chatter that goes on within us, we’re not always aware of what we’ve been thinking. However, we are aware of how we feel.  This is why emotions, both positive and negative, are one of our greatest gifts.  They are powerful indicators of what we’re thinking, believing, and attracting.

When you feel good, you are in alignment with your desires.  A feeling of joy indicates that you are on the ideal path—you are attracting outcomes that will please you.  A feeling of sadness, on the other hand, is just as important.  When you feel sad, fearful, disappointed, or depressed, this is your cue to change your thoughts.

Still think feelings aren’t an important part of Law of Attraction? Without emotions as cues, how would you know when your point of attraction is resisting your desires?  How would you know when it’s time to shift your focus? Guessing maybe?  I don’t know about you, but I love the empowerment that comes with knowing what I’m creating—and being able to change it with my thoughts.

Law of Attraction Myth 6: It’s too much work to constantly control your thoughts

For most people, thinking is done on autopilot.  There is no effort to direct the thoughts, so the mind just wanders all over the place.

To the contrary, many newcomers to Law of Attraction teachings begin obsessing about every single thought.  They fret about accidentally creating disasters or attracting the content of random, crazy thoughts.  Well, guess what…worrying about controlling your thoughts is just as bad as thinking negative thoughts.

Nothing positive comes out of anxiously patrolling what goes on in the mind.  Yes, the Universe does respond to the vibration of our thoughts; but this is real life.  You don’t just wiggle your nose and poof… the magic carpet sweeps you into the air.  A fleeting thought of an angry bear in your living room, will not cause the grizzly to show up.

It is okay to daydream.  It is okay for your mind to drift into la-la land sometimes.  It is even okay to have strange, scary, sad or outrageous thoughts.  Just don’t stay there.

When you realize that you’ve been thinking something undesirable, gently guide yourself towards a thought that feels better.  Be patient with yourself and realize that it is the culmination of your thoughts that creates your reality.  It is the dominant thoughts that create your beliefs.  And it is your beliefs that allow (or resist) manifestation.

Nobody’s mind is filled with positive thoughts 100% of the time. But an overall positive mental attitude is sure to attract positive life experiences.

Do you think applying Law of Attraction principles is a valuable self improvement technique? What experiences have you had with this Universal law?

If you have any connection to the outside world, you’ve heard of the Universal Law of Attraction. Bookstores, web sites, and self improvement seminars are overflowing with information about it.  Nonetheless, there are still so many misconceptions about how our thoughts create (or attract) our reality.

Whether you’re a walking, talking Law of Attraction success story or someone who’s been disappointed by exaggerated claims and Law of Attraction myths, I hope you’ll find value in taking a deeper look at the misunderstandings that lead many to believe this Universal law is nothing more than a gimmick.

Law of Attraction Myth 1: If you think about something long enough, it will definitely happen

This myth is an exaggeration, though not a total lie.  If I sit here and focus on skittles falling from the sky, there’s very little chance that we’ll experience skittle rain.  However, something of a similar thought vibration will manifest.

I may suddenly start to become aware of skittles everywhere—on the concrete where children have dropped them, in a co-worker’s cubicle, on the counter at the grocery store.  Alternatively, I may not see skittles at all.  I may start to experience events that give me the same feeling that I get when focusing on skittles raining from the sky—joy, amazement, child-like excitement.

Law of Attraction Myth2: Everything you think about will manifest without any work on your part

The Universal Law of Attraction is constantly at work in our lives, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything other than think.

When you are thinking about a desire and focused upon the joyful feeling of manifestation, you’re in perfect alignment with what you want.  However, this desire may manifest in different forms.

You may attract wonderful ideas on what ACTION needs to be taken in order to bring you closer to the goal.  You may attract people that will assist you and circumstances that are favorable to your success.  You may find yourself in the right places at the right time.  This is all wonderful, but notice that it doesn’t mean you just lean back in a recliner and watch life happen to you as you imagine it.  What fun would that be anyway?

Law of Attraction Myth 3: Law of Attraction is an easy way to get rich

Although you can definitely manifest money and attract riches into your life, it’s misleading to tout Law of Attraction as some type of tool that you use to make this easy.  What we attract into our lives is based on our dominant thoughts and beliefs—and most people wouldn’t say it’s easy to change those.

Let’s say you spent your entire life believing that it is difficult to generate riches or acquire great wealth.  Maybe you developed your beliefs about abundance by hearing your parents repeatedly say things like, “Money doesn’t grow on trees” or “some people just have all the luck.”  Over the years, you made those thoughts your own and you held onto them until they became powerful beliefs that created matching circumstances in your life.

Considering that you’ve put a great deal of thought and energy into creating these beliefs, do you really believe you will release them within an instant?  Will a few positive thoughts about wealth change what you’ve believed for decades?

Law of Attraction will not revise your beliefs about money. That is your work. But this Universal law does make it possible for you to attract abundance once your beliefs are in alignment with it.

If manifesting money is your dream, don’t be discouraged when it doesn’t happen immediately.  Appreciate what you CAN do immediately.  In this moment, you can begin softening your outlook on finances, thus allowing money to flow into your experience in accordance with the development of your newly held beliefs.

I’ll publish part 2 of this series on Law of Attraction myths on Thursday.  Meanwhile, I look forward to learning about your experiences with applying Law of Attraction principles.

Have you experienced success or disappointment in attracting your desires? What are your feelings in general about the Universal Law of Attraction? Have you been discouraged by myths or exaggerations of this Universal law?

Have you ever been in a situation so negative that positive thinking seemed like a complete joke?  Do you ever have difficulty keeping a positive mental attitude?  Don’t worry—everyone feels that way sometimes.  So, what I’d like to offer here are a few easy positive thinking tips that help me get back on track when life throws a curve ball in my direction.

• Relax With Breathing Meditation

The quickest way to release tension and worry, thus preparing your mind for positive thinking, is a simple meditation technique.  Go to a quiet, comfortable room.  Close your eyes and center your attention on your breathing.

In times of stress, you’ll likely notice that you are taking shallow breaths into your throat or barely breathing at all.  So, deliberately take slow, deep breaths.  Notice the natural rise and fall of your chest.  If your mind drifts to random thoughts, just refocus on your breathing.

With your attention focused on breathing instead of problematic circumstances, you will release anxiety and enable your mind to refocus.  No, this won’t make the problem go away.  It won’t dramatically change your future in an instance.  But you will experience relief.  You will slowly begin to realign with a positive vibration that attracts positive thoughts and experiences.

• Practice Mindfulness and Appreciation

After releasing anxiety through breathing meditation, it’s time to practice conscious awareness of all that is good.  I personally like to step outside for this mindfulness exercise, but there is just as much to appreciate indoors.

Open your mind to sensations of all types—sounds, smells, tastes, feelings, sights. You may notice bird songs, the brightness of the sunshine, cloud shapes, heat or cool air against your skin, children’s laughter, the steady beat of your heart, and so much more.

Realize how wonderful it is that these things exist and that you are experiencing them.  Give your attention to each one for a moment.  And embrace that moment with thoughts of appreciation.  Isn’t it wonderful that you have functioning eyes and the gift of literacy so that you can read this article right now?

When we are mindful, we open ourselves to an amazing amount of positive energy.  We see just how much we usually take for granted.  We embrace our oneness with the Universe and with all-that-is. And we experience the abundance that exists whether we are aware of it or not.

• Journal the Positive Aspects

If there is a certain circumstance that is clouding your reality, challenge yourself to find the positive aspects.  This exercise, which I learned from Abraham Hicks, is an awesome way to bring you back to that happy place.  Here’s how it works:

If you typically write in a journal, open it to a blank page. Otherwise, just grab a notepad.  Write at the top of a page, “My Book of Positive Aspects.”  On the next line, write “Positive aspects of ________________.”  On that blank, put the name of something (or someone) that is very easy for you to speak positively about.  It may be your spouse, pet, car, hobby, or anything else that brings you joy.  Now, write line after line of positive aspects about him, her, or it. Keep writing as long as it flows.

Now repeat this process for a second person, place, thing, or situation that is easy to feel good about.  You’ll notice that your mood is taking a step up.  Your mind is now prepared for the more challenging part of this process.

On another blank page, write “Positive aspects of ___________________.”  This time, what you’ll put in the blank is the circumstance that has been troubling you.  On the lines that follow, you will write positive aspects related to this part of your life experience.

It’s a bit of an extreme example, but let’s say the doctor has just decided that your leg must be amputated.  You may write positive aspects about your body, such as, “The overwhelming majority of my body is functioning perfectly; this procedure will allow me to remain alive and to enjoy time with my family; my body still has arms and hands to touch and hug; leg-amputees have run marathons and I can be just as limitless.”  None of this reattaches the leg to your body.  However, it beats the hell out of feeling depressed and powerless.

Can you see the immense benefits of these positive thinking techniques? The purpose is not to fool yourself with falsehoods in order to feel better.  With these techniques, you naturally achieve a feeling of relief through conscious awareness of the reality that you were overlooking.

As you go through your day, challenge yourself to see more than whatever is apparent at first glance.  Remember that joy is your birthright. You need only to relax your thoughts and allow it into your experience.

Related Positive Thinking Articles

Law of Attraction and Positive Thinking: Difficulty Controlling Thoughts

The Productive Art of Positive Thinking

A wonderful personal development blogger, Stephen Mills, wrote a blog post series titled, The Science of Fear.  This resonated with me in a powerful way because I believe that fear is the most toxic element in our environment today.  It destroys more lives than terrorists, chemical weapons, ozone gases, carcinogens, ultraviolet rays, fast food, wars, and drugs all put together.

Facing and Acknowledging Fear

Fear comes in so many packages.  I’m sure you recognize some of the most common types of fear:

• Fear of disappointing others
• Fear of illness
• Fear of death
• Fear of not fitting in
• Fear of poverty
• Fear of losing
• Fear of powerlessness
• Fear of failure

These fears have power over the lives of many people throughout the world, often without their knowledge of it.

An angry fighter may not know that he is subconsciously driven to violence by fear.  A woman who uses her sexuality to manipulate men may not be consciously aware that she is insecure and deeply afraid of powerlessness.  A demanding cult leader may not realize that he is obsessed by a deep fear of losing control.  People who conform to cultural, religious, or societal norms may not know that they have a fear of not fitting in with the crowd.

Unfortunately, those who have yet to acknowledge the role of fear in their life are highly unlikely to manifest positive change.

Law of Attraction and Fear

By Law of Attraction, that which is like unto itself is drawn.  So, what do you think is drawn to you when you live in fear?

Well, fear is a very low vibration emotion. Therefore, thoughts and circumstances of a similarly low vibration are allowed into your life experience when you entertain fear.  In other words, fear-based thinking attracts situations that result in disappointment, frustration, anger, depression, and even more fear.

Here’s an example: If you have a fear of weight gain, your negative point of attraction may draw unto you experiences; such as, digestive problems, feelings of guilt after eating, lack of interest in nutrient-rich foods, excessive preoccupation with food, and body image/self esteem issues.

At some point this downward spiral that started with fear will manifest exactly what you feared—weight gain—plus a range of equally undesirable issues. You didn’t intend to attract the negatives, but your fear focused on the undesirable outcomes and created resistance to what you really want.

The Power of Negative Emotion

Because emotions are indicators of your thoughts and your point of attraction, there is some benefit to feeling fear.  A negative emotion is a message from your Inner Self that lets you know when your thoughts are not in alignment with your desires.

It is somewhat like a weather warning.  The fear beeps in to let you know that you’re thinking in a way that allows/attracts stormy conditions.  After all, you wouldn’t feel fear if your thoughts were on smiling babies, sunny days, happiness, and the outpouring of love.  You feel fear because you are listening to negative news, placing your beliefs in statistics that have impacted others, focusing on negative “what ifs,” feeling vulnerable, and forgetting your ability to create your own reality.

A Logical Approach to Fear

In The Science of Fear, Stephen discussed his very logical and analytical approach to reducing fear.  He evaluates situations based on their likelihood of occurrence and only worries about those for which he believes there is a significant (approx. 1 in 4 chance) risk.

That means no more worrying about dying via airplane accidents, food chemicals, or shark attacks.  I love this idea for lessening the impact of fear, but I would like to take it even further.

Positive Awareness and Living in the Now

Like many people, I’ve overcome some dreadful experiences in my life.  But it wasn’t until I began practicing conscious living that I learned how to lessen the fear that dwelled within me after the fact.  So, what is my personal solution for fear?  I practice living in the now—remaining conscious and appreciative of the present moment. And I’ll provide a few examples of how you can use this principle to overcome fear in your life.

Let’s say you were just diagnosed with a disease that kills 95% of the people who contract it.  Statistically, the odds are stacked against you; but no statistician ways in the effects of a positive, powerfully-focused, creative mind.  You are alive in this moment, so you have choices on how to approach the situation.

Choice #1:  You can become so afraid of the prognosis that you give up on life.  You can curse the doctors, blame God, and feel angry at yourself for not taking preventative measures. You can focus on the mistakes you’ve made, painful medical procedures, the causes that led to your illness, the sad look in your family’s eyes, and the unfairness of it all.  This is a fear-based response, which will leave you drowning in a sea of negative thought vibrations that strongly resist healing.

Choice #2: You can look for and focus on the bright side.  5% of the people who’ve contracted this disease in the past have survived.  And you are, in the present moment, surviving.  You can bless every healthy cell in your body, thus influencing them to multiply.  You can increase your awareness of the good in your life by pointing out every single thing that brings you joy.  If you can breathe easily, give thanks for your lungs.  If you have family at your side, appreciate their support.  If you can walk, be fully aware of how wonderful it is to have this capability.  This is a powerful response that attracts the manifestation of what you want by focusing on it without regard for its opposite.

Fear has a 0% chance of improving your life and a 100% chance of making you feel worse, so consider those odds when choosing your approach.

Overcoming Fear for Self Development

The next time you’re faced with scary information, just remember that well-being (both physical and emotional) is your birthright.  You are perfectly capable of using fear as a reminder to consciously guide your thoughts without letting it take control of your life.

Of course, it may take significant time and effort to develop a positive outlook if you’re accustomed to guarding against potential threats. But guess what…it can be done.

Anytime the first thoughts to cross your mind are more in alignment with fear than joy, simply release them and keep searching for the light.  The light is always there, even in the darkest of times, but you must be willing to find it and give it your undivided attention.

You are destined to live happily and fearlessly. And you will do so as long as your thoughts do not resist it.

It is comforting to hold onto the ideals that we learned as children: good triumphs over evil, wonderful things come to good people, bad people will be penalized, everything works out for those who make the right choices, etc.  But is any of this true?  I mean—it happens; but not always.  So, what are we left to think when the opposite of these ideals is staring us in the face?

I read a blog yesterday in which the author expressed concern about bad things happening to good people and good things happening to bad people.  His friend, Alyssa, was a caring person who died at 25 after suffering from cancer.  His friend Ethan, a lifelong criminal, lives the “good life” and has never served a day in jail despite making millions by taking advantage of the elderly and the vulnerable.

I hate to acknowledge it, but I’ve seen more than my share of Aslyssas and Ethans.  If you look around, it’s tough to deny that bad things happen to “good people” and good things happen to “bad people.”  Although I usually try to avoid the frustration of trying to rationalize things that seem unfair, I couldn’t help but consider this perplexity from a Law of Attraction perspective.

My understanding is that Law of Attraction responds to the vibration of our thoughts, not to our actions.  In other words, someone who is considered a good person by society may harbor very negative or limiting beliefs.  Sure, that person may be thoughtful, caring, law-abiding, and generous; but that doesn’t tell us anything about the thoughts and beliefs that determine their “point of attraction.”

By Law of Attraction, there is great potential for undesirable circumstances in the life of a kind, honorable person if he spends a great deal of time fearing errors that he may make, wondering if he is not quite good enough, obsessing about society’s ills, worrying about what could go wrong, working at a job he doesn’t like, trying to save a world that he sees as broken, protesting things that he doesn’t agree with, tirelessly striving to live up to the expectations of peers, etc.  This person is likely to be held in a very positive light by society, but his thoughts are attracting a complete lack of well-being.  Instead focusing on the good, this person unknowingly puts too much of his attention on what he does not want.

What we see from the outside looking in is a person who is compassionate, caring, concerned, loving, pleasant, and considerate.  It will seem unfair when he experiences unfortunate trials and tribulations in his life.  It is always sad to see bad things happen to someone who has great intentions.    However, the Universe is only responding to each person’s thoughts and beliefs—not what they’ve actually done.

The easiest way to attract what you do not want is to give your primary attention to it.  The intentions may be good, but the result is not likely to be what you’ve bargained for.  Why?  Because the deeply held, subconscious beliefs are usually:  I’m vulnerable, I see helplessness all around me, so many things are not right, life is overwhelming, things can go wrong at any minute, the world is full of sadness, I have imperfections, I’m afraid of how XYZ might affect me, there is not sufficient order, I’m at risk.  The world is full of wonderful things, yet these beliefs show a disproportionate awareness of the negatives.  This results in attracting circumstances that rouse a greater lack of contentment, health, clarity, safety, and ultimate well-being.  A good person—maybe so.  A person who has a positive point of attraction—maybe not.

The one thing that may seem even more unfair than bad things happening to good people is good things happening to “bad people.”  In many cases, “bad people” have just as many poor beliefs as “good people.”  And they live lives that, even if it isn’t apparent to you or me, are every bit as difficult.  However, there are instances where the opposite is obviously true.   Most of us cringe at the site of drug lords, mafia bosses, con artists, dead beat parents, and other lowly members of society who live a life filled with things that others long for.  Like Ethan, many of these people become millionaires, marry their trophy wife/spouse, remain in good health, live in mansions, and spend their entire lives doing whatever they please without ever facing the consequences.  They seem to be eluding all of the traps that are in place to stop such injustice.  It’s as if they are invincible.  How can such a person seem to live out their dreams while so many good people struggle through life?

Again, it is interesting to look at this scenario from a Law of Attraction perspective.  The fact that a person is not abiding by society’s rules does not tell us anything about his/her thoughts.  We judge people by our estimation of their value to society.  However, the Universe is only responding to the vibration of our thoughts.

If a con artist who rips off elderly people is living his ideal life, you and I may see him as trash.  However, his deeply held beliefs may include: I’m capable of great success, I’m free, I’m smart, I completely believe in myself, my life is destined to be wonderful no matter what, I can do anything, life is wonderful.  That mentality is what it takes to attract what you want.

This is very hard for many people to accept.  We want so badly to see that good overcomes evil and that righteousness will lead us to great happiness.  We want to see what we believe is fair, thus it feels like the worst possible injustice to see evidence of the opposite.  So, how do you deal with such a thing?

I can’t tell anyone else how to deal with this, but I’ve chosen what works for me.  I release my tendency to judge others.  Not because they don’t deserve it, but because it lowers my vibration and causes me to attract what I don’t want.  I also seek to learn a lesson from everything and everyone.  Even a person who you perceive as bad may have a lesson to teach you—if you’re willing to learn.  From a good person who is dying young, I may learn to live in the moment and stop worrying about the future.  From a bad person who is living in joy, I may learn that anything is possible.  By putting those lessons together, you can become the person that you want to be.  You can be good in every way that is important to you AND live a life that is full of whatever treasures enhance your days on this Earth.

Love yourself, relax more often, appreciate your life, have a conscious awareness of all the good in the world, focus on what feels good, help others by sharing a positive outlook, and learn a lesson from any & every thing.

Have comments on this article? Feel free to share your views below.

Related Law of Attraction Articles

Difficulty Controlling Thoughts

The Truth About Using Law of Attraction to Manifest Desires

Understanding Co-Creating: When Birds of a Feather Flock Negatively Together

5 Law of Attraction Tips for Health Concerns

Why It Seems Easier to Keep Feeling Bad… and How to Shake It Off

You may have noticed that when you feel bad, it’s much easier to wallow in the way you feel than it is to snap out of it.  In fact, things that you normally enjoy may annoy you when you’re in a bad mood.

That song that you usually dance to may make your head hurt.  Your spouse’s voice, children’s laughter, and even the chirping of birds may drive you up the wall.  The one thing that feels natural to you at such a time may be complaining about your circumstances with someone who shares your gloomy disposition or someone who will join you in a negative rant.

But why is it so much easier to keep feeling bad when you’re in a bad mood? Why is it so ridiculously hard to just snap out of it?  A big part of the answer lies in the not-so-glamorous side of Universal Law of Attraction.

When you’re feeling down and out, you’re currently attracting thoughts that match your “negative vibration.”  This is the Law of Attraction in action.  Like attract like. It is easy to sustain your bad mood because you’re attracting supporting thoughts that match that unpleasant feeling.

From this state of mind, you don’t have access to thoughts of a much higher (positive) vibration; therefore, you are irritated by those things that would usually bring you joy.  The thoughts that are easily flowing to you are those that match what you do NOT want.  You’re in the perfect situation to spiral further downward, thus allowing more negative circumstances into your life.

If you’re starting to worry that you’re powerless to change the way that you feel, stop the panic. There is a way out of this trap.  The solution lies in conscious awareness of your emotions.

If you want to improve your mood, simply find a thought that feels better than the ones you’ve been thinking.  The Universe will support your efforts by sending matching thoughts at every level of improvement.

If you’ve ever dragged yourself from the bed on a day that you felt awful, think back about the feeling of relief.  It may have been awful getting up, but you felt at least a tiny bit better once you made the decision to get moving.  Throughout the day, you likely felt even better.  However, you wouldn’t have progressed at all if you had stayed in bed feeling crappy.

It is almost impossible to leap from depression to joy, but you can experience relief by changing your vibration from depression to anger.  And once you’re feeling the slightly higher thought vibration of anger, it becomes easier to move towards a feeling of disappointment.

From the improved, although still negative, feeling of disappointment, you are in a better place to access thoughts of frustration.  The key here is to experience emotional improvements without pressuring yourself to make a huge jump to feelings of elation.  Realize that you’re in control of the positive changes that you are making and find solace in this.

When you notice that you’re feeling frustrated, give your attention to something that will help you to feel less frustrated.   Force yourself to color a picture, complete a puzzle, take a nap, walk your dog, or watch a funny movie.  By continuing to reach for thoughts that feel a little better, you will move up to feelings of hopefulness, satisfaction, positive expectation, and….eventually…..joy.

What I always try to remember is that, although it may feel easier to stay in a negative place, such a choice does not align with the goals that I have for my life.

If I feel depressed, the very last thing I will do is contact a depressed friend.  If I’m unpleasantly surprised about something I heard on the radio, I resist the temptation to spend an hour discussing it with colleagues.  If I’m stood up for a date, I don’t spend time writing a journal entry about being distraught.

Of course I sometimes get bothered by bad customer service, political moves that I don’t agree with, my teenager’s moody moments, and many other things.  However, I’ve learned to move past those negative feelings so that the majority of my life is spent in a place of happiness.

The next time you feel a bad mood coming on, I hope you’ll start the process of gradual relief rather than wasting your life on that which does not please you.  Life is short. Live it. Love it. Enjoy it.

Related Self Improvement and Law of Attraction Articles

The Benefits of Anger and How to Let it Go

Positive Affirmations

Why You Must Feel Good to Feel Great

If your quest for love is lasting longer than expected, you may be feeling a bit discouraged.  Well, stop!    These four simple self improvement ideas will put you on the road that leads straight to your soul mate’s arms.

Date Yourself

The first thing you should do is ask yourself a series of questions, beginning with the most important one of all: “Would I date me?”  Take a long, hard look at yourself before stating the answer.  There is immense benefit in being self-aware, so don’t shy away from this activity.

Do you have the qualities that you desire from others?  Do you listen and communicate well? Do you trust and support your mate? Do you accept the individuality and unique differences of others?  Do you take responsibility for your own feelings?  Are you mentally, emotionally, and financially stable?  Are you kind and faithful to your mate?  Your answers to all of these questions will help you to honestly answer the first question.

If you cannot honestly say that you would date yourself, start doing the self-work that is necessary for you to answer “heck yes.”  After all, the first step to attracting what you want is to be what you want.  When you have faith in your own ability to be a quality partner, you will attract others who match the positive vibration of your desires and your self confidence.

Define the love you want

Be clear about who and what you want in your life.  Let the Universe know exactly what you’re looking for in a relationship by piecing it all together in your mind.  Try writing a summary of your soul mate’s characteristics or creating a vision board filled with representations of your ideal relationship.  This will help you to get clearer and clearer about the specifics of your desire.

Show off your availability

Unless your soul mate has absolutely no fear of rejection, you will need to make it clear that you are available.  Do you stand with your arms folded?  Do you look away when someone is walking in your direction?  Most people are simply not willing to approach someone who seems unapproachable.  You don’t want your potential mate to be discouraged by your body language.  Get comfortable with going out alone, striking up conversations with strangers, and showing that you are open to meeting new people.

Believe in your attraction power

You’ve reached a point where you can honestly say that you would love to date you.  You’ve clearly defined what you want in a person.  Now you must trust that the relationship you seek is on its way.  Nothing summons Law of Attraction and results in manifestations faster than a strong belief.   On the other hand, nothing delays or prevents manifestations more than doubt.  Occupy your mind with other things, so that your desire isn’t disallowed by obsessive, resistant thoughts.

Related self improvement articles

Law of Attraction Love and Healthy Relationship Advice

Using Law of Attraction to Make Your Spouse Change His/Her Ways

A Law of Attraction Lesson on Desire

Desire.  It looks like such a simple word, yet so many people have different views on what it really means.  If you’re learning to manifest your desires by applying Universal Law of Attraction, you should make sure that you fully understand the concept of pure desire.

First, let’s discuss what desire is NOT.  Desire is not that feeling of wanting something that you do not have.  It is not that deep, desperate yearning that leaves you feeling frustrated and unfulfilled.  These feelings are focused on the lack of what you want; therefore, they are not feelings of pure desire.  Quite to the contrary, they are feelings of resistance towards your desires.

When you are pitifully longing for something, you are so focused on its absence that you cannot allow it to manifest in your experience.  The negative emotion that you feel is your Inner Being’s way of letting you know that you are way off track.  However, you simply need to align your thoughts with the positive vibration of your desire in order to change the course and allow the manifestation.

So, what is pure desire?  Pure desire is that child-like feeling of excitement about an experience.  When you know that something is coming your way and your heart is pounding with gleeful anticipation, you are experiencing desire.  Most children are wonderful at aligning with pure desire, so don’t be ashamed to learn great lessons from the little ones in your life.  For many reasons, adults often refuse to get excited about something that they can’t yet put their fingers on.  They want to see it, feel it, and experience it with our flesh before offering any thoughts of appreciation.

Because most of life is about the time in-between manifestations, this mindset will only serve to prevent 90% of your happiness.  You’re working against Law of Attraction by holding resistance to all that is there for you.  Yes, you will still experience some manifestations in your life; but they will be slow and hard to come by.  Also, you will cut yourself off from joy in the interim.

If there is something that you want right now, focus your attention on the fact that the Universe will deliver it to you.  By Law of Attraction, all you need to do is align with that desire.

If you want to meet your soul mate, get lost imagining how wonderful it will feel to be close to that person.  If you want to manifest a new job, see yourself there with the world’s biggest smile plastered on your face.

Pure desire is not represented by wishing, pleading prayers, and yearning for that which eludes you.  It is evidenced by appreciation, enthusiasm, and a song in your heart for that which you are certain is on the brink of manifestation in your life.

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.” -Napoleon Hill

While the topic is homosexuality, today’s self improvement ideas are really written for everyone who struggles with a lack of acceptance in their society. An email from a troubled young man asked, “Is Law of Attraction not working for me because I’m gay?”

He went on to say that his life was “doomed no matter what” because of the “sinful” nature of his sexuality. He even mentioned that few of his gay and lesbian associates have successful relationships. My answer to him was that the Law of Attraction works the same for everyone and that he is only doomed for as long as his thoughts are dooming him.

This young man was, unintentionally of course, resisting the joyful life that is his birthright. He was creating an awful existence for himself. Why? Because he didn’t know any better.

Whole groups of people, not just homosexuals, respond to the negative messages of parents, teachers, religious leaders, and society by internalizing what they have been taught.

In other words, the things that they’ve been told become their dominant thoughts (or beliefs). And the Law of Attraction will always send thoughts and circumstances that are a vibrational match to your beliefs.

At a workshop in 1999, Abraham Hicks said “there is nothing that you can do that is worse for yourself, than to do something that you believe is inappropriate. And so, get clear and happy about whichever choice you make because it is your contradiction that causes the majority of the contradiction in vibration.” This statement couldn’t be more perfect.

If you spend decades listening as people that you love or respect tell you that you are bad, evil, wrong, and on a path to hell, you may begin to feel that you are bad, evil, wrong, and on a path to hell. And when you begin to believe such things, you’ll experience quite a hellish existence on this Earth. Harboring negative beliefs about yourself is damaging to you and to anyone who gets involved in a relationship with you.

With this understanding, it is clear why the letter-writer notices so many unhappy gay and lesbian relationships. People who believe that their sexuality is “sinful” and their relationships are wrong will have a very hard time creating a stable, joyful bond with their partner. The law of attraction works in such a way that you experience exactly what you allow yourself to believe.

I’d like to offer a few words of advice to gays, lesbians, and anyone else who is struggling with living outside of the expectations of others.

• Come to terms with who you are.

When you learn that you are a magnificent Being whose existence is important to the expansion of this great Universe, you will stop being affected by what others say or think of you. When you realize that you are a powerful creator whose every thought is creating life experience, you will cease to doubt yourself in response to those who condemn you. When you learn to love yourself as Source (or God) loves you, you will benefit from the positive energy that flows within rather than withering from the negative words of those who don’t understand you.

• Consider a new belief system.

Although you may have been taught under a certain religious modality, you are free to choose what you will believe. If you can’t bring yourself to break the family religious tradition, at least learn to benefit from the positive parts of that faith while leaving the negative, fire and brimstone teachings for those who want to attract such monstrosities in their lives.

Your parents, teachers, pastors, and priests are mostly well-intentioned, but they cannot properly make choices for you. You are born with an innate sense of your own truth. And if honoring what you feel to be true for you does not line up with the belief system under which you’ve been taught, you have a decision to make.

Will you follow your Inner Guidance toward what is right for you? Or will you do what is right for others by following their teachings even if it leads you to think so poorly of yourself that you repeatedly attract negative life experiences? The choice is yours, so choose wisely.

• Practice awareness. Be conscious of your Inner Being.

You were born with the only tool that you’ll ever need for a successful life-your Inner Being. Living without conscious awareness of this powerful inner guidance is a handicap that afflicts most people who have been taught to get their guidance from others.

Whether or not you are aware of it, this spiritual you IS the larger part of who you are. And the larger part of who you are will always do two things: call you toward a joyful life and let you know when you are on track. The problems come when you ignore your Inner Being in favor of what you hear, see, and learn in your physical world.

Your emotions are your evidence of how much you are in (or out of) alignment with your Inner Being, how you are vibrating, and what the law of attraction is bringing to you. You will enjoy positive emotion when you align with your Inner Being and the Law of Attraction will respond with manifestations of your desires.

When your thoughts and actions are out of alignment with that spiritual part of you, you will feel negative emotion. And as you offer that low vibration of unhappiness or misery, you will attract undesirable circumstances that breed even more misery.

In order to tell the difference between the “voice” of your Inner Being and the subconscious trash that you’ve accumulated over your lifetime, start a spiritual growth journey.

It will take some practice to become accustomed to noticing the spiritual part of yourself if you’ve spent your life only observing what can be detected with your physical senses, but simple practices like meditation are a great start.

Begin by dedicating a few minutes each day to developing your sixth sense. Calm down! That doesn’t mean you should see “dead” people. But it does mean that you should become aware of the fact that there is much more to you than this physical body. As you become more and more aware of who you really are, you will stop looking for answers outside of yourself.

• Start appreciating.

It can be difficult to know that there is something about you that is very different from others, even more-so when you’re frowned upon or judged by those that you love. But it does not serve you to be angry with those who are homophobic. It also doesn’t serve you to fear hell, to resist what is natural for you, or to feel guilty about not following the script given to you by your society. Feelings of guilt, anger, shame, and fear have very low vibrations, thus they will hinder you from living the joyful life that is your destiny.

In order to attract a life filled with great relationships, emotional stability, financial abundance, and overwhelming internal joy, the majority of your thoughts must be of a higher vibration. To start allowing law of attraction to manifest your ideal life, replace the negative thoughts with those of appreciation and love.

Here are a few statements about these issues, written from a compassionate, appreciative, loving point of view:

Source loves me just as I am, so I love me just as I am.

They can’t help how they feel about gay people-they are only doing what they think is right.

My parents and my pastor simply want to pass on a tradition that they believe in-they mean well and I appreciate their intention.

Now that I feel good about myself, the Universe will send the most magnificent partner my way for a fairytale romance.

Being different is actually quite fun-I now enjoy standing out from the crowd.

In the words of Joseph Campbell, “Follow your bliss.” Discover yourself, love yourself, forgive yourself, and free yourself. The result will be a wonderful life transformation that defies all understanding.

Additional Self Improvement and Law of Attraction Articles

Inspirational Story – One Mop and One Bucket

Understanding Low Self Esteem – How Do You Feel About You?

Top 7 Things Holding You Back From Success

Law of Attraction Love and Healthy Relationship Advice