Week #5

Topic - Happiness is…

I am a curious explorer who always digs in the Bible for gold. Just look at what I found!

Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

I decided to give it a whirl and try to take the Apostle Paul's advice. What was the one thing I wanted to feel? Happiness. It's been rather dull lately with winter and the constant cloudy days. I already knew that my subconscious would give me what I dwelled on and asked for, good or bad. I decided to dwell on happiness. Happiness is noble and pure and excellent, don't you think?

How to - If you're already happy, I suppose you don't need to dwell on this, but I felt the need to whip some of it up for myself just as I would a good lemon cake. I already had the ingredients; I just needed to follow the recipe to make it. First, I took that one word, "happiness," and said it aloud; I repeated it and thought about happiness when I went to bed, during the night when I awoke, and throughout the day from my first waking moment. 

Next, I had a few pictures in my mind of what happiness would look and feel like, so my imagination got to work. I pictured a bountiful breakfast with my husband, children, and grandchildren at our house, laughing, chasing the dog for her ball, lots of stories and laughter, interesting conversation, and a banquet of food, everyone's favorites.

Another was a lunch date at a beautiful restaurant with a new friend who told me her incredible story of how she changed her mind and life. I was so engaged and happy for her, encouraging her in every way I could. These two things caused a welling up inside of me, and I noted that the recipe was working and I was manifesting happiness. Can I tell you I felt like a child at Christmas after a few days and much less like Scrooge? I love creating good moods for myself. Would you like to do the same?

Choose the word happiness. If all you can do at first is say the word out loud and to yourself, you give it to your subconscious on a silver platter. Think about this word daily and weekly. Take notes on how your mood has changed. Think of what makes you happy, and imagine happy events with others.

Bonus—if you do this for a few days, don't stop! Keep going and feel the wonderful results of creating happiness inside of yourself. Once you get really good at it and stick to it, extend this feeling to someone you know who is not happy. Say their name, "So and so is happy," and feel that happiness for them. Please give it to them as a gift, expecting nothing in return. Don't stop with either of you. Check in on them.

This wonderful feeling of happiness is a gift from God because He is the one who gave us the ability to control our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and imaginations to create a better life. 

Let's get busy!

Your friend, Denise

Meeting #4

Topic - Problem Solving

This week at the CCC, we're choosing a question or problem and letting God guide us to His answer. I spent my youth either begging God for what I needed and wanted or grumbling about His ignoring me. So, my curiosity about prayer went on a walk, and this is what I found.

First, How Not To Pray: It doesn't work.

1. Stop begging

2. Stop grumbling

Get in the habit of listening for the Holy Spirit's voice. Begin by asking Him a question and then sit quietly, waiting for a voice in your head or an idea to come to you. Begin with one inquiry and stick with it until you hear something. You can't always sit there for hours and hours, so if you don't hear anything right away, go about your day and be aware that an answer is coming. 

Read my blog entry - God's Guidance, for more information. 

Small things are best to start with—maybe not world hunger if you are new at this. Some good ideas are resolving a minor conflict with a friend or family member, helping your child with an issue at school, etc.

Hint* Sometimes, God quickly tells me to rest. I have learned to trust Him in this. Things don't always go well when I jump ahead of His plans. If He says relax, it's because He's working.

Let's Begin!

Your friend, Denise

Meeting #3

Topic - Positive Adjustments.

At one point in my life, I realized that I wouldn't live long if I continued to be angry and live in fight-or-flight mode. I had already gone through seven months of chemotherapy for cancer. I was always a very stressed-out person, and I needed to change if I was going to live. I had no idea how to do that, so I began researching and came across a common theme: we can improve our lives by improving our thoughts. The belief is that we are the sum of our thoughts. Therefore, our lives are the sum of our thoughts.

I grew excited because I finally had a path to follow. I saw that I had the power to change the direction of my life. I began working on my thoughts, one by one, trying to change negatives into positives individually. I heard a story of a man who carried 3 X 5 cards and repeated scriptures throughout the day as he traveled from customer to customer. These promises helped him become positive and confident, enabling him to flourish as a salesman. I tried this recommendation as well. 

Paying attention, moment to moment, to my thoughts, turning them into positives, and writing scriptures and affirmations on 3 X 5 cards worked to an extent and were worthy endeavors for me. Still, negative expectations toward most subjects in my life were so engrained in my thinking that I needed something more. So this is what I did. 

I downloaded a recording app onto my phone. I gathered all my scriptures and affirmations and began reading and recording them. I added to this recording whenever I found a saying or thought that would improve my outlook and help me. The recording totaled over 2 hours, during which time I talked to myself, my brain, and my body, and I started treating myself with doses of positivity and love. Then, I'd put my headphones on at night and listen to the recording. I changed the recordings occasionally depending on what I wanted to work on and kept to this routine. It usually woke me up about four hours later when it repeated twice; then, I turned it off for the night.

I still follow this practice. At first, it took about a week of listening to these thoughts before I began to notice something. I seemed calmer, had more peace, and didn't feel in fight-or-flight mode throughout the day. I wasn't as easily irritated. I'm pretty good at hiding my feelings but felt better inside.

So, today's club activity is to review my approaches and try one.

Here they are:

1. Begin being cognisant of your thoughts. Please notice whether they are self-critical, critical of others, have negative patterns, or have angry thoughts. Then, turn one thought into a positive one by flipping it around. Make a game of it; see how many negative thoughts you can stop. These must include not only thoughts about others but also yourself. You are important.

2. Look at my scriptures and affirmations, put them on 3X5 cards, and carry them with you. Memorize them by saying them out loud and to yourself. 

3. Record your affirmations and listen to them throughout the day or at night.

Again, these are not activities you do once and feel optimistic about—and everything is magically good. These are life changes. Take your time and stick to it.

Let's Begin!

Your friend, Denise