Beyond explanation

Some people dream of creatures described as angels. No conclusive explanation about them is unanimously accepted. At the same time, no person has been able to decisively disprove their existence. Reality prompts a closer look. Why would you desire to disprove or support this phenomenon? What does it mean to you?

Consider this: 'There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.' ~C.S.Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

Let's assume humans exist to exercise free will in forming our characters either in openness to Higher Forces or the self-centeredness that leads to rejecting them. As you choose to create a relationship with them (being forgiven by grace rather than through your own goodness) then, in heaven, your life is supposedly different.

Some religious traditions suggest this self-same process applies to angels. However, unlike with humankind, angels have already chosen for or against the staus quo. 'Just like humans, the Angels may undergo a period of probation during which they are free to choose between good and evil. What if spirits who rejecte the ways and universal laws of Higher Forces become demons?

Steps to build confidence

If you've ever found the courage to attend some kind of group activity, you may be pleasantly surprised at the impact it has on your confidence. You discover a level of success that is linked to getting over whatever holds you back. In order to move ahead on your own terms, its useful to recognize what you need work on and then, to find effective ways to deal with this.

I take the example of Toastmaster's. This is a mentoring program for people who desire to improve on their public speaking skills. Now, its not only for business people or anyone else who is expected to do presentations in a workplace. Toastmaster's is a team-building exercise where peers encourage your efforts and offer constructive criticism you that you can learn to improve. The structure is empowering rather than discouraging. It is a toll people use to learn and grow.

Many people would love to develop the ability to be able to speak more impromptu at events, to learn to control their nerves, to strengthen persistence, and to develop core reasons for believing in themselves. All this is possible through activities like Toastmaster's where personal success depends on what you hope to get out of it and what kind of work you're willing to put in.

Over time, I've met very experienced public speakers who remain humble and open to learning. I've met beginners who's primary aim it is to overcome getting up in front of a group of people. They all share meaningful stories and discover they have much in common, for even experienced speakers began somewhere. I've known people to attend meetings for long periods before they got brave and were willing to even open their mouths and introduce themselves. Yet, for those people, that was a significant accomplishment.

Each step forward is still a step forward. The size of the steps you take is less important than the effort itself and what it symbolizes. Your confidence and self-esteem will influence your sense of success. Yet, your desire to recognize your strengths and weaknesses will determine what you get out of self-improvement efforts. One thing is for certain, taking no steps will get you nowhere fast.

Think up your existence

Human beings never really see the whole story of their lives as its unfolding.  Situations you initially judge as tragic or disappointing may reveal a completely different perspective that you missed.  How would your mindset affect all that?  Quite honestly, it is the pivotal part that shapes everything.  You actually devise or think up your existence.  Can you see through illusion?

If you decide your thinking process will limit your experience, it will, that is, unless it doesn't.  How you draw from your mind is what you will perceive and express.  You are exactly what you think.  You are the level of awareness which is experienced.  You've already done the choosing.  Everything you desire to do, be and have will unfold right before your eyes.  Just concentrate.

Its said that the highest level of pleasure you will experience would be an offshoot of creating who you really are.  Thinking positively will help convince you that you can create such an experience.  You can tap into those resources which will enable you to see clearly.  Choosing options of lower levels of pleasure enables you to forget why you're alive and what you were really born to do. Yet, learning to recognize what you aren't enables you to see what you are.  Condition yourself to sense the positive.

Your source of power

Do you dream of exerting new influence in your life? Your greatest source of power is linked to thoughts and feelings. Power emerges from a sense of self-confidence and inner power. You cultivate this within as if you were a plant. You feed yourself words and ideas as if they were the sustenance that keeps you growing on a certain track. Are you stretching and growing as you would desire to develop yourself?

From the moment you cease to think of yourself as separate from everyone and everything, you begin to boost your inner power. Yet, if you believe that weilding power over others is the key to expanding your soul, then you have been misguided. You gain power not by to setting yourself apart and boasting about who you are and what you've done. Instead, let your life speak for you. Rather than describe what you desire, choose to demonstrate by example.

Consider how you choose to learn or whether you desire to learn anything at all. Some people actually close themselves off from the world and decide they already know everything. Do you know anyone who believes they have no need to grow? What you see as desirable or undesirable gives you hints about their hopes and fears and how you can build on what you think you know. When will you decide to explore even some of your feelings? The teaching at your disposal is powerful. Take your own worries seriously and learn about them, for they are key to your joy.

Inspirational roadkill

In this day and age, mobility is no longer only a dream for everyone. People who desire to get from place to place have many options at their disposal. Nonetheless, we still benefit greatly from thinking positively. This helps to better deal with many variables that enter into the equation which may otherwise cause us to lose our cool and feel somewhat helpless.

For instance, how often do you hear about people running out of gas at the side of some road? This kind of obstacle keeps you from getting from where you are to where you wish to go. If this happens, you still have a choices. You can permit yourself to get all frustrated about what you could've done and what you can't control or, you can focus on how to become more resourceful.

In my life, I once ran over a piece of previously dead roadkill splattered on the highway. This happened at night.  The bones of the animal punctured and blew my car tire.  At the time, I had a girlfriend as a passenger. Neither of us had cell phones or any roadside assistance membership card. My girlfriend wasn't keen on hitch-hiking at all, let alone in the dark on this highway between Amherst, Nova Scotia and Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. What a blustery night and unsual memories!

To make things more exciting, my friend started imagining stories of prospective murderers who could stop abruptly and quietly dispose of us. I wasn't taken in by her fear and thought more about proactively creating solutions. To invite assistance, I got out of the car on the windy night and bravely stuck out my thumb. I honestly had to work at it. After all, hitchhiking is an art and persuading passing cars to stop isn't always easy. Admittedly, there was little traffic. 18 wheelers didn't look like they would stop.  My optimism wouldn't lead me to to make frantic arm gestures.

Lucky for us, before too long, two university student guys drove by in this small chortling vehicle. They were all bundled up in hats, scarves, mits and wooly clothes for the cold winter weather. My girlfriend wasn't sure if she should get into their car. I told her to think positive and we would find a garage in no time. She hesitated, but decided it seemed better to leave in that car with me and strangers than to stay alone in the isolated cold car along the highway. I thought, 'fabulous,! she was thinking more positively!' I thought this would attract better things.

After puttering along for a time and chatting with these straingers along the icy road toward Amherst, we did find a gas station that was still open at that late hour. Alpha thinking worked! We thanked the students, who drove away into the night. The towing guy took us out onto the highway in his monstrous truck. He was able to bring the necessary tools to change the tire along the road. Before long, my girlfriend and I were again on our way for the rest of the drive home. She didn't seem convinced roadkill could inspire positive thinking, but I knew differently.