Spirit Online
January 31, 2010
Thoughts
This week, we are focusing on the spiritual practice of “Expectation” … conditioning ourselves to always “Expect the Best.”
We create our world through our beliefs. If you believe – or expect – the worst, that is what you will receive. But if you believe – or expect – that you will always receive the best, that is exactly what the universe will provide.
Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking, used the story of a shopkeeper to illustrate how the power of positive expectation can change our world and our very selves.
The story tells of a shopkeeper who opened a meticulously wrapped package to find a card inside that read, “Expect a Miracle.” Not knowing how it got there or what it meant, he stuffed it into his shirt pocket. Later he showed the note to his wife and asked, “What is this supposed to mean?” She said, “Maybe that’s what we need. Our problems seem to be so overwhelming … What if we started expecting great things instead of always expecting the worst? Could miracles actually take place?”
The couple decided to give the idea a try. Starting with small problems, they committed to “expecting a miracle” – really expecting it. And things began to change. They began believing, not only that their problems would be solved, but also that a solution had already been set into motion from the moment the expectation was formed. Little miracles and all kinds of strange coincidences began to positively unfold, one after the other. The couples’ small problems began going away, and the big ones became less formidable.
The most beautiful miracle that happened for this couple was the way in which they changed. When they began to expect miracles, they became conditioned to actually making miracles happen. Their actions and abilities became positively, rather than negatively, focused. They became more creative. They began to hold a clearly shaped and defined vision: they knew what they wanted to do, what they wanted to be, and where they wanted to go. They became more hopeful, optimistic, confident and relaxed. They became content and at peace with themselves and their business. All of those changes came together to activate the successful achievement of their goals.
This concept is reinforced in the “Lost Gnostic Gospels,” a collection of writings that frame a series of questions and answers between Jesus and his disciples. Within the Gospel of Thomas, the disciples ask Jesus, “When are things are going to get better? When will the world be at peace? When will there be freedom from worry, fear, doubt and anxiety?”
Jesus answered, “What you expect has already come, but you do not perceive it.”
Jesus was saying that, whatever we need to create a better life is already here, infinitely and unconditionally available to us right here and now. The question is, can we perceive it? Can we wrap our minds around it? Can we hold that vision within ourselves? And in the process of seeing and perceiving it, can we let go of any cynicism, distrust, fear and doubt that we are holding, so that we can move forward to achieving that vision?
Expectation is a very powerful spiritual practice. Expectations shape and change the world around us in ways of which we are not even fully aware. A study of people with chronic illnesses demonstrated that those who expected to get well, did … while those who didn’t expect to get better, didn’t. Studies involving so-called “underachieving” school children have shown that – when teachers and other authority figures placed greater expectations on them – the children actually rose to those expectations and began achieving at higher levels.
Jesus invited us to trust in God and to know that, with God, all things are possible.
So what do you think is possible today? What is the expectation you are holding for your life? Your spiritual growth? Your finances? Your career? Your relationships? Remember: You create your world through your thoughts, beliefs and expectations.
Today, expect a miracle. Envision what you want, believe it can happen, and give it your full effort of positive faith and action. Expect the best, and your dreams will come true!
God bless you!
Prayer
Almighty God, today, in this very moment, I set aside all doubt, all concern and all fear and hold a space of expectation for good and only good to be present in every area of my life. With every breath I take, I see and experience the most amazing miracles as my faith grows and strengths through in and you! Thank you God, and so it is, Amen.
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