Hope, Faith, Truth ... Positive Imaging

The world in which you live

is not primarily determined

by outward conditions and circumstances

but by the thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.

Norman Vincent Peale

May 31, 1898 – December 24, 1993

Norman Vincent Peale was one of the most widely read inspirational writers of all time.  He was pastor of New York City's Marble Collegiate Church, a prominent lecturer, and radio host and perhaps best known for his book, THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING. 

I first became aware of his work in Guideposts Magazine (Peale was the editor and co-publisher) back in the days when Sue Monk Kidd was also a contributing author.  In my opinion, he was in the forefront of ministers who encouraged Christians to begin to be accountable for their relationship with God rather than just depending upon a minister or a church.  He was like a breath of fresh air all of those years ago. 

In 1982, Norman Vincent Peale wrote another book, POSITIVE IMAGING.  When I read this book, I immediately read it again, and then again.  As I devoured his words, I could feel limitations fall away and I began to feel a part of faith once again rather than being separate.  He was interested in developing the human spirit, the awakening of the soul.  My, he was ahead of his time.

Peale stated about Positive Imaging:  "The concept is a form of mental activity called imaging.  It consists of vividly picturing in your mind a desired goal or objective and holding that image until it sinks into your unconscious where it releases great untapped energies."

Mr. Peale encouraged us to visualize our own well-being, to see our selves whole, healthy and energized.  He believed that the key to health was practicing creative imaging.  He explained that beautiful thoughts triggered the release of beneficial hormones which assisted the body in being healthy.

The Bible and scripture were frequently quoted in his writings.  He believed  hope, faith, and truth were vitally important once we set our goal, believed in attaining our goal, imagined it to a great degree, and made sure Divine Spirit was our partner.

My favorite part of  POSITIVE IMAGING pertained to imaging Jesus the Christ or Buddha or any other Master .  Here is what he suggested for creative imaging:

             "Image Jesus as actually your personal friend.  Don't regard Him as some remote, historical, stained-glass kind of figure.  Image Him as your constant companion throughout the day.  Paint a portrait in your mind of what you think He looks like.  Fill in the details:  His compassionate eyes, those strong carpenter's hands.  How did His voice sound when He talked to people, when He told the story of the Prodigal Son, for example?  He must have had a wonderful laugh; can you picture yourself sitting on a hillside in Galilee, hearing it?  If you can picture that, why not picture Him sitting alongside of you right now?"  

In POSITIVE IMAGING, Norman Vincent Peale documented stories about terminally ill patients who chose to use Positive Imaging in addition to their medical assistance.  His words continue to be as they were  in my younger adult years.  He was definitely a large contribution to my beliefs of the body, mind, and spirit connection.

Waiting for the Key

The moment one definitely commits oneself,

then Providence moves too.  All sorts of things

occur to help one that would never otherwise

have occurred.  A whole stream of events issues

from the decision which no one could have

dreamed would have come their way.

~W. H. Murray

The key to opportunity, what shape does it take?  Is there only one key or many?  Either way, a risk must be taken.  Once the risk is taken, does the key unlock the door?  One never knows until the steps are taken into the unknown.

Optimists encourage a person to make their own opportunity, to not wait for someone to arrive knocking at your door.  An individual must put himself or herself 'out there' in order to set things in motion.  One must not only unlock the door, but step through it.

Norman Vincent Peale author of THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING also wrote the book POSITIVE IMAGING which was described as "The Powerful Way to Change Your Life". Basically, the concept was to vividly picture your goal,  and hold it until it became a part of your unconsciousnessness where it would release great untapped energies.  "Hope, faith, and truth seem to be the keys." 

Our self image creates how we present our self.  If we paint our self into a pretty picture, we more than likely will find our self enjoying the landscape.  It is believed by many what we send out into the world will come back to us.  If we render hatred, we will receive hatred in return.

Love, light, and energy is how I think of myself.  It is what I want to be to others.  I will be steadfast with faith, hope, and trust that the Universe will return these things to me.

Having New Eyes

The real voyage of discovery

consists not in seeking new landscapes

but in having new eyes.

                                   Marcel Proust

My morning routine consists of coffee, reading both Alan Cohen and Mark Nepo, journaling, and yoga, but rarely in the same order.  This morning as I gathered my books to read, I couldn't find my glasses.  I wear them every day, and keep a 'back up' pair by the computer, bedside, and in the car.

This morning, Alan Cohen refers to a woman reading a metaphysical book about physical challenges stemming from inner decisions we make.  "Vision is related to our willingness (or resistance) to see what is happening in our life."  

Mr. Cohen encourages the reader to ask the question, "When I first began to need glasses, what was happening in my life that I did not want to see?"
He shares that "many people began to wear glasses when their parents were getting divorced, or they were feeling abused by family or friends, or they faced a life trauma. I began to wear eyeglasses when I was bullied by several boys in elementary school, and felt unprotected."

I journaled about my first experience wearing not only glasses but a patch on my eye in elementary school...talk about hiding and not wanting to see! The doctor said I had a 'lazy' eye.  Although my memory is vague, I believe I wore those red plaid little glasses (still in my possession safely in their case) for less than a year.  They certainly must represent something to me!  When I turned 40 years old, my perfect 20/20 vision diminished and it was only then that I began to use 'readers'.

Alan Cohen states:
"Our physical body is always sending us messages about what it is happening with our spirit.  Just as we shut down on seeing or hearing when we don't want to see or hear what's happening in our physical world, we can restore our health by making a new decision to see and hear through God's eyes and ears."

Over the years, I have read numerous books on the subject of the connectedness between the body, mind and spirit.  If you feel like exploring this area, here are some books, although there are so many others, that would be helpful:

POSITIVE IMAGING 
by Norman Vincent Peale

THE POWER OF THE MIND TO HEAL
by Joan Borysekno

CREATIVE VISUALIZATION
by Shakti Gawain

THE PATH OF TRANSFORMATION
by Shakti Gawain

I do believe that I will experiment by wearing my glasses less, exploring God's perfection that surrounds me.  At the very least, I will further my journaling using questions to trigger my memory of the events surrounding my decisions.  I hope you do too!