Change Your Energy, Change Your Life

I've been learning more and more that life is all about state-management. Everything in your life is a result of your state of being. Therefore managing the state that you're in that you're in is incredibly important. The thoughts we think alter the state of being that we're in. If we think joy-filled thoughts, we will be filled with joy. If we think sad thoughts, we will be filled with sorrow. If your state of being is positive, it will help you attract all that you have and desire to have in your life, and vice versa. Therefore, if we desire great lives it is of the utmost importance that we manage our state of being by taking control of our thoughts. Another thing we can do to manage and positively transform our state of being is to actively seek activities that bring us joy, a sense of productivity, and a healthy self-esteem. For me, this means being disciplined in taking care of myself, spending time with those I love, spending time in nature, reading, writing, and learning new things, going on photo adventures, blogging, and making delicious vegan dishes. Ask yourself "What can I do right now that would bring me more joy?" Or have a list of things you find enjoyable to choose from that you can have at hand so that any time you are feeling negative; you can go out and do one of those things.

Remember that the energy you're holding is the point at which you are attracting all things into your life. In managing your state of being, you transform your life. If you change your energy, you change your life!
Teal Scott said that "Your emotions are an indication of what vibration you are holding, [and] your vibration equals your point of attraction for everything coming into your reality and everything you're convalescing with." And I couldn't agree more. We must be cognizant of the thoughts we think, and the words we speak in order to monitor our emotions and make sure they are in alignment with what we desire in life. I like the way the words of Frank Outlaw sum it up: 

“Watch your thoughts, they become words;
watch your words, they become actions;
watch your actions, they become habits;
watch your habits, they become character;
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Emotions are energy in motion. The emotions we hold have the ability to create energy that is powerful enough to either positively or negatively alter our lives. Succumbing to negative emotions like boredom, pessimism, disappointment, doubt, discouragement, anger, blame, worry, jealousy, hatred, fear, grief, insecurity, or revenge are all a dangerous trap that can throw us into a downward spiral. Choosing to maintain and emit positive emotions like contentment, gratitude, hopefulness, optimism, expecting positive outcomes, enthusiasm, passion, joy, knowledge, empowerment, and appreciation are all powerful emotions that launch us into new levels of prosperity and enjoyment of life.  Choosing to do whatever is within your power to remain in the states of higher emotions is what will propel you closer to having the life you've always dreamed of!

Butterfly Theology--As A Man Thinks, He Becomes

In relation to my last post on the Pygmalion Effect, I wanted to further emphasize the importance of guarding what kind of self-images and beliefs about ourselves that we hold to be true in our mind. The reason it’s so important to have a healthy self-image, is because it completely affects everything we do. If we have the belief that we are a loser and nobody likes us, we will live in accordance with that belief, and likely end up actually becoming a loser that nobody likes! However, if we believe we have the ability to succeed, that we are liked by others, that we are loved by God, and that our life here on earth has a purpose, we will live in accordance with that belief as well and our life will reflect it. As a result, we would likely be successful, liked by others, and live a life with purpose and love!

Our world is shaped by our beliefs, which is why it is so

important to be mindful of what we are thinking. This is especially true when it comes to our spirituality. Do you see God as a tyrant and unmerciful ruler ready to smite any human that does not obey Him with a lightning bolt? Or, do you see Him as loving, compassionate, merciful, full of grace, patience, and slow to anger? What about yourself? Do you see yourself as a dirty, rotten, unforgivable sinner who is just “too far gone” to be saved or loved by a benevolent Creator? Or, do you see yourself as someone who may make mistakes, yet is loved, valuable, worthy, beautiful, healed, purpose-filled, forgiven, cherished, and treasured in the eyes of God?

Your answers will determine the kind of life, and relationship with God that you have.

Your relationship with Him may be non-existent, because you think He is an unmerciful tyrant ready to smite humanity. Your relationship with Him may be one that is based on guilt and fear, because you have been manipulated into your religion and believe that nothing you ever do is “good enough” and that you must “earn” your salvation. Or, your relationship with God may be intimate, meaningful, fruitful, and of great value to you because you know that God loves you unconditionally, that you are forgiven and treasured in His sight, and that He has given your life a purpose. You know that there is nothing you could ever do to “earn” your salvation, but that you are saved by His grace. You know that you may still sin and be imperfect, but because you believe that the blood of Jesus has wiped your slate clean, you are a new creation in Him, and you are perfection in God’s sight because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.  

Like the Pygmalion Effect, Butterfly Theology is the belief that what we believe about ourselves, and what we believe God says about us becomes a reality. As Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so He becomes,” which is why it is so important to align your beliefs about yourself with God’s.  I want to share with you a quote from Bruce McNicol’s, “The Kingdom Life” that further and beautifully explicates the importance of monitoring and altering the way you see yourself to match the way God sees you:

“When Christians see themselves as “sinners saved by grace,” they have no choice but to live life as sinners, strenuously striving to become saints. Naturally, this effort leads to failure because we’re not in charge of our sainthood. Our sainthood has already been accomplished by our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, when Christians are able to see themselves as “saints who sin,” as Christ-in-me creatures, as clothed with robes of righteousness, they have the only basis to grow up into what is already true of them. God says we are righteous, and this becomes the context or the condition that allows Christ to dwell in us. If my vision of what I can become is based on my vision of who Jesus says I already am—righteous—I can relax and mature into something I already am. When we trust God (remember humility?), our self-identity builds on His assessment, not ours—on His righteousness, not our own ‘righteousness.’

Sometimes when we lose our grip on who God has made us to be, we must remember the butterfly. Nature provides many examples of this incredible discrepancy between who we appear to be and who we truly are. Consider the caterpillar. If we brought a caterpillar to a biologist and asked him to analyze it and describe its DNA, he would tell us, ‘I know this looks like a caterpillar to you, but scientifically, according to every test including DNA, this is fully and completely a butterfly.’ Wow! God has wired into a creature that looks nothing like a butterfly a perfectly complete butterfly identity. And because the caterpillar is a butterfly in essence, it will one day display the behavior and attributes of a butterfly. The caterpillar matures into what is already true about it. In the meantime, berating the caterpillar for not being more like a butterfly is not only futile, it will probably hurt his tiny ears!

So it is with us. God has given us the DNA of godliness. We are saints—righteous. Nothing we could do will make us more righteous than we already are. Nothing we could do will alter this reality. He knows that we are ‘Christ in me.’ And now He is asking us to join Him in what He knows is true.” –Bruce McNicol

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

When we accept God’s love and power into our lives by acknowledging that Jesus died for our sins, the Bible tells us that we are made into a new creation. Ephesians 2:10 says that, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

And it doesn’t matter whether or not you may feel like a new creation, or a masterpiece yourself right now, you must know that God sees you differently, and start living according to who HE says you are. You may not feel like a masterpiece, but that’s what God says you are. And you can’t argue with God. Romans 4:17 tells us that God “calls things that don’t yet exist into existence.” He calls things what they are before they actually exist. God called Abraham the father of many nations before he even had a son. In fact, the idea of him having a son was laughable, considering him and his wife’s old age, but the time came to pass where God followed through on His word and made Abraham the father of many nations. Know that God is not done with you yet, and that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6). God finishes what He starts. You may not feel like a masterpiece now, but you are a masterpiece in the making. What matters is not how you feel, what matters is knowing who God says you are, and accepting it as truth, then living in accordance with it and lining up your self-beliefs with His word.

So how does God see you? He sees you as His beautiful workmanship (Eph. 2:10). You are His beloved child (Romans 8:17). You are the apple of his eye, He’s even numbered the very hairs on your head (Mat. 10:30). He loves you so much He can’t even take His eyes off of you! His thoughts towards you are more numerous than all grains of sand (Psalm 139:17).

 It is clear that God loves us, and that He has nothing but good plans and intentions for us—that we are more precious to Him than anything else. And if you don’t believe me, then just take a look in the Bible! The message of His endless love for you is quite clear!

And just to help you re-frame and re-fresh your mind onto how God really sees you, I’ve included below a list of Biblical affirmations that tell us just exactly who God says we are, and who He made us to be. I highly recommend reading these aloud, meditating on the meaning of them, and allowing them to soak in, and permeate your beliefs that you may know who God says you are and who He has made you to be so that you may live, act, and speak in a way that is in accordance with how He sees you!  Remember that “as a man thinks, so he becomes!”

I have been set free in Christ, I am no longer a slave to sin (Galatians 5:5, Romans 6:14).

I am God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).

I am God’s child (Romans 8:17, John 1:2)

I am loved by God (John 3:16, Romans 8:38, Proverbs 8:17, Romans 5:8).

I am a new creation in Christ, the old is gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am a believer, not a doubter (Mark 5:36).

I have been justified (Romans 5:1).

I belong to God (1 Corinthians 16:19-20).

I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10).

I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20).

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).

I am chosen by God (John 15:16).

I live in love, not in fear (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:18).

I am not fearful, I have been given God’s Spirit of Power, Love, Courage, and Sound Mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

I am conscientious of my words, because I know they hold power and reflect my fate (Matthew 12:37).  

I guard my thoughts because I know as I think, so I become (Proverbs 23:7).

Guard your Thoughts

   It is so important to guard our thoughts and the way we perceive ourselves, because how we perceive ourselves affects everything we do.

 

“As a man thinks in his heart, so he becomes” (Proverbs 23:7).

 

The Bible tells us that, “As a man thinks in his heart, so he becomes” (Proverbs 23:7). This Proverb is telling us that what we believe about ourselves, what we hold to be true about ourselves, actually determines what kind of person we become.

We live in a way that is in accordance with our beliefs and what we perceive to be true.

 

You've probably heard the quote:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

And it's true; it all starts with what goes on in your mind!

Everything you do begins with a thought. And the kind of thoughts you're thinking determine what kind of actions and behavior you will have. What gets me most excited about these truths however, are all the new discoveries in the field of positive psychology which scientifically prove the truth behind these age-old wisdoms.

Shawn Achor, author of the Best-selling book The Happiness Advantage and one of the world's leading experts in happiness and human potential explains, "Studies show that simply believing we can bring about positive change in our lives increases motivation and job performance; [and] that success, in essence, becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy... Amazingly, [an individual's] belief in their own ability is an even stronger predictor of job performance [and success] than the actual level of skill or training they had." How amazing is that! An individual’s belief of whether or not they can perform a task is more powerful than their actual training or ability!

 

An individual’s belief of whether or not they can perform a task is more powerful than their actual training or ability.

Think of it this way: A person who considers themselves unattractive will likely go through life feeling a low self-esteem and negatively towards themselves, unless this person can learn to focus on their attractive qualities, and make an emphasis on their positive attitude and personality instead of their undesired physical features. If they don't change their perspective about themselves, then their belief about themselves being unattractive will be more of a hindrance then their actual suppose lack of physical appeal. It's not about the individual’s looks, but their feelings and perception about their looks which then cause them to act, perform, and behave in a way that is either beneficial and productive, or harmful and destructive.

 

Success is not so much determined by the individual’s abilities, but their feelings and perception about their abilities which then cause them to act, perform, and behave in a way that is either beneficial and productive, or harmful and destructive.

 

Let me give another example.

A person who believes they will not go anywhere in life, or believes they are an unintelligent loser with no future is going to live in a way that is in accordance with those beliefs. Meaning, it is likely they will not make much of an effort to get an education, and they may fall into drugs, alcohol abuse, or other non-productive behavior, all because of their self-image and the way they perceive themselves. We are more prone into giving into self-destructive tendencies and habits if our self-image is distorted and our thinking is off-balance. If we believe that we are unsuccessful, stupid, or a loser, we will live and act in a way that is in accordance with those beliefs. But, if we believe that we have the ability to succeed, triumph over circumstances, that we are loveable, and beautiful in our own way, then we will live a life that is in accordance with success, striving to be the best we can be, and living to our full potential. Numerous studies discussed in The Happiness Advantage have repeatedly proven "how strongly our beliefs can affect our abilities." Achor writes that our "beliefs are so powerful because they dictate our efforts and actions." How you perceive yourself and what you believe to be true about yourself are so important because they will determine how you feel, act, and ultimately the choices you make which determine the course of your life.

 

“Beliefs are so powerful because they dictate our efforts and actions.” –Shawn Achor

 

Remember what it says in Proverbs 27:3? "As we think in our hearts, so we become." If our self-image is distorted and our thinking is off-balance then we will be more prone into giving into self-destructive tendencies and habits. If we can learn to guard our thoughts, recognize when they get off-balance, and make continuous and gradual changes towards developing a healthy self-image and mindset, we will prevent ourselves from the possible downfall of negative self-fulfilling prophecy. As Achor explains it, "By changing the way we perceive ourselves and our work, we can dramatically improve our results." In order to begin changing the way you perceive yourself, you need to begin focusing on all your strengths and reasons as to why you will succeed rather than fail. This does not mean ignoring your weaknesses. It simply means choosing to put a positive emphasis on your strengths which will boost your confidence, self-belief, and in turn, will actually alter and improve your ability to soar to new heights and accomplish new goals--all because you changed your perspective onto your abilities and successes rather than weaknesses and failures.

 

If you’ve found any of what you read helpful or encouraging, I encourage you to pick up a copy of my book, TNT: TeeNage Transformation –Explosive Ideas That Will Blow Your Mind and Change Your Life Forever! where you can read more on the power of transformational thinking and positive "Transformational New Thoughts!"

Additional reading recommendations: The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor.