Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Sponsoring Thought

Neale Donald Walsch, author of the Conversations With God series,
defines a Sponsoring Thought as "a deep-seated initial idea that we already have
what we are not now experiencing." With this, he says, "then we can experience it much
more rapidly."

But sponsoring thoughts are based on either love or fear. If fear-based, then the thought is that we DON'T have whatever it is that we desire, don't deserve it etc., and that effectively blocks it from manifesting.

I feel it is crucial for us to identify our "sponsoring thoughts" about what we want to be, do and have, whether it relates to our rejuvenation goals or anything else. Writing them out would make them even more powerful.

If we identify sponsoring thoughts that are in opposition to what we want, we can consciously choose a new thought, more aligned with that desire. Neale Donald Walsch points out that this is the meaning
of the "New Thought Movement" that came about in the mid to late 19th century.

Example of a fear-based Sponsoring Thought: "Everyone ages. I just have to surrender to the inevitable and expect to go downhill with the passing of the years."

New Thought: "Time is an illusion and has no power over me. I choose to be ageless!"

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The Power of Positive Narcissism

From time to time, a cyber-friend, noting my focus on "youthing", has accused me of being vain, and that my actions along those lines are driven by the desire for compliments and admiration.  He
implied that this was at the expense of my spirituality.

This is a vast oversimplification. Although of course it's nice to be noticed and appreciated for one's appearance, I am driven more by the desire to be the best I can be on all levels, and to express that to
the world, regardless of what anyone else thinks of me. In short, it's more about self-appreciation and self-love rather than looking for this outside of myself.

All of this takes awareness and discipline! it's about the farthest thing from a "quick fix." It's an ongoing journey of learning and growing. This is, of course, part and parcel of spiritual development.

I want to look good, yes. I want to feel good. I want to do good, to be a positive force in the world, and I can best do that by first cultivating my own garden, taking the best possible care of me.