As a man thinketh

James Allen: “Good Thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit and man is his own gardener.”  According to Wikipedia: “James Allen  1864--1912 was a philosophical writer of British nationality known for his inspirational books and poetry.  Allen was 15 when his father, a businessman, was robbed and murdered. He left school to work full-time in several British manufacturing firms to help support the family. He later married Lily L. Allen and became an executive secretary for a large company. At age 38, inspired by the writings of Leo Tolstoy, he retired from employment. Allen — along with his wife and their daughter, Nohra — moved to a small cottage in Ilfracombe, Devon, England to pursue a simple life of contemplation. There he wrote for nine years, producing 19 works. He also edited and published a magazine, "The Light of Reason".  Allen's books illustrate the use of the power of thought to increase personal capabilities. Allen's most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, was published in 1902. It is now considered a classic self-help book. Its underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person.” 

I have often questioned why different people living the same experience can react often vastly differently.  We can’t control everything but we can control how we think which will shape our actions and reactions.  I am emotionally/spiritually affected by my thoughts and am noticeably happier, calmer and captivated by uplifting, noble concepts and principles.  I enjoy pondering how to incorporate noble, selfless concepts into my life so that they become part of my character.  HOWEVER, my thoughts are generally a swirling disconnected jumble of impressions, questions, interpretations and habitual loops.  When I find my thoughts in a downward spiral, I have experimented with ways to stop, reboot and shape what is going through my mind.   What I have found that works best for me is increasing the sensory input of those things that quiet the inner turmoil and INVITE the spirit of the Lord.   If I can’t flee to the nearby mountains or even the city park, I take some times to look out the window and survey the trees, watch the birds or the clouds.   I put on my favorite CD of inspirational music, Thanksgiving Hymns, performed by the combined BYU choirs and orchestra with many arranged by Mack Wilberg.  My favorite is his arrangement of Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.  I take a few minutes to immerse myself in the scriptures and uplifting magazine articles by people of faith.  If I can get away, I go to the temple and soak up the peace that is there.  Bringing these things into my mind increases my sensitivity to the spirit of the Lord and as I dialogue with him, my thoughts are elevated.  Speaking of dialogue, the savior counseled us to "pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”  Luke 21:36  How do we 'pray always'?  Often, especially when I am engaged in mindless tasks, I shape my thoughts as a dialogue with Heavenly Father.  I tell him about the tasks before me;  and what I am hoping to accomplish; how I am planning to do it; then ask for his guidance.  I frequently ask for help in finding solutions or strategies, desiring to learn His way.  I add the request in my frequent prayers that he will help me to know what he would have me say and do today.  I try to still my thoughts at times to feel for his promptings, insights, flashes of understanding and inspiration.  I also formed a habit when I was 12 or 13 of looking for beauty as I go through my day and silently or vocally thanking God for providing it in my world.  I add thanks for numerous blessings I enjoy- huge ones that come from living as a family- and less significant ones, such as the pleasantness of a warm shower on a wintry day.  When I am in dialogue with my Father in Heaven or feeling gratitude or enjoying the beauty around me, my thoughts are elevated and I feel serenity.