Year 3, Week 4: You are What You Think

Paragraph 2 of the BluePrintBuilder reminds us: “I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality, therefore, I concentrate my thoughts for thirty minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.”

The forward to Week 4 emphasizes it’s “our business to express ourselves harmoniously and constructively.” Paragraph 6 reinforces this with ” The trained mind knows that every transaction must benefit every person who is in any way connected with the transaction, and any attempt to profit by the weakness, ignorance or necessity of another will inevitably operate to his disadvantage.”

We are prompted to remember, “I can be what I will to be.”

Further, this week discusses establishing the habit of success. Paragraph 12 says, “If you do  not intend to do a thing, do not start; if you do start, see it through even if the heavens fall; if you make up your mind to do something, do it; let nothing, no one, interfere.” Paragraph 13 reminds us to begin with small things we know we can do — build a habit of success.

To get more, we must give more. We must visualize the events, circumstances, and conditions. Everything that manifests itself in the world without first began in the World Within. We are powerful beyond measure, and what we think about becomes our reality. We must see the Silence to gather our power and visualize our new reality.

I have seen this manifest with both positive and negative thoughts. My goal is to focus on the positive and eliminate the negative. I want good things to grow in my life and in the lives of everyone else. I’m striving to do my part.

What are you thinking about? What has manifested itself in your reality? If you don’t like it, you can change it. Be persistent. Stick with it. Keep pushing out the negative. Embrace the positive. It’s worth it.

Year 3, Week 3: Cause and Effect

The topic for Week 3 in Master Keys is Cause and Effect — Thought is the cause. The experiences we meet are the effect. The key take away from this is if my life is not where I want it to be, my thought isn’t on target.

The key lesson for me to (re)learn this week appears in the Part Three overview: “Eliminate, therefore, any possible tendency to complain of conditions as they have been, or as they are, because it rests with you to change them and make them what you would like them to be.”

Ouch. Point taken.

This dovetails with Og’s Scroll 1. “Today I begin a new life. … I form good habits and become their slave.” Why? Because complaining is a habit. It’s not a good habit.

I look to Part Three, Paragraph 17 for how to fix this. “It is our attitude of mind toward life which determines the experiences with which we are to meet if we expect nothing, we shall have nothing; if we demand much, we shall receive the greater portion. The world is harsh only as we fail to assert ourselves. The criticism of the world is bitter only to those who cannot compel room for their ideas. It is fear of this criticism that causes many ideals to fail to see the light of day.”

Portions of paragraphs 22 and 27 provide further instruction. “Mentally concentrate on the object of your desire; when you are concentrating you are impressing the subconscious. … You are simply to say what you desire, not how you are to obtain it.”

I frame my thoughts in positive terms.

Year 3, Week 2:

I’m fascinated with the subconscious this week. When you’re ready, this week’s materials are littered with useful references. The obvious one is in Scroll 1, p. 56, “As I repeat the words daily they soon become part of my active mind, but more important, they also seep into my other mind, that mysterious source which never sleeps, which creates my dreams, and often makes me act in ways I do not comprehend.” 

But that’s just the beginning. In the master keys part two paragraph five, “Ease and perfection depend entirely upon the degree in which we cease to depend upon the consciousness.”  

In scroll one we’re talking about forming good habits and how as we perform a task repeatedly it becomes easier to perform. And when a task becomes easy to perform we perform it more often and that then forms a habit. In this class, we start by doing small things. Easy things we repeat over and over. As we repeat the small things over and over, they become easier to perform and performing them often creates a habit. The small things repeated often form a new, good habit. Each week we add new small things, and they build upon one another. We call this the progression.

As these new habits are formed, they become easy. They become part of our subconscious. We do them without thinking.

Paragraph 13 talks about “in this way the conscious mind becomes the responsible ruler and guardian of the subconscious mind.”

Skipping to paragraph 27 it asks, “How can the subconscious change conditions. The reply is, because the subconscious is part of the universal mind and a part must be the same in kind and quality as the old; the only difference is one of degree. The whole, as we know, is creative, in fact, it is the only creator there is, consequently, we find that mind is creative, and as thought is the only activity which the mind processes, thought must necessarily be creative also.”

Paragraph 28 says, “but we shall find that there is a vast difference between simply thinking, and directing our thought consciously, systematically and constructively; when we do this we place our mind in harmony with the Universal Mind, we come in tune with the Infinite, we set an operation the mightiest force in existence, the creative power of the Universal Mind.”

I’ve been focusing on harnessing the subconscious, which is tied in with the Universal Mind. If what I want is in harmony with the Universal Mind, I believe my thoughts can influence the world in a positive way. When enough people think in harmony, better things will happen in this world. I’ve not yet found an effective way to state this — even as a writer, I struggle to put this powerful concept into words. 

Year 3, Week 1: The Mind

One of the joys of repeating the MKE course is rediscovering gems from the previous year. Week 1 of the Master Keys talks about the Universal Mind. In one of those “inexplicable things” we frequently encounter, I’m “bug-hunting” a friend’s novel manuscript. This book was originally published in 2004, but the rights have reverted to my friend, and she’s preparing to re-release the book under her own imprint. In the course of “bug-hunting,” I came across this passage,

“It works. As for why it works, I can tell you what I think, but you’re welcome to your own interpretation. I think we’re all linked. That we are beings of light that wear these mortal forms for some reason we can only guess at while we wear them. That beneath these shells of flesh, we’re part of a… a river of energy that fills the universe and moves through us and binds everything.” (Holly Lisle, Midnight Rain, p. 94)

That’s kind of what we’re reading about this week in Haanel in paragraphs 25-26:

25. There is but one consciousness in the universe able to think; and when it thinks, its thoughts become objective things to it. As this Consciousness is omnipresent, it must be present within every individual’ each individual must be a manifestation of that Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent Consciousness.

26. As there is only one Consciousness in the Universe that is able to think is necessarily follows that your consciousness is identical with the Universal Consciousness, or, in other words, all mind is one mind. There is no dodging this conclusion.

Holly’s character was explaining to the character’s neighbor why she thought Tarot cards worked, but the concept is the same. As Haanel writes this, I struggle to wrap my head around the concept, but as Holly writes it, it makes perfect sense.

But if there’s only one Universal Mind, how can we be so divergent in our thoughts and actions? Let’s back up a few paragraphs. In paragraph 3, we learn the “attitude of the mind necessarily depends upon what we think. Therefore, the secret of all power, all achievement, and all possession depends upon our method of thinking.”

Paragraph 4 explains further, “We must “be” before we can “do,” and we can “do” only to the extent which we “are,” and what we “are” depends upon what we “think.” Paragraph 6 continues, “There is a world within — a world of thought and feeling and power; of light and life and beauty and, although invisible, its forces are mighty.”

The world within is governed by the mind. Paragraph 7 assures us “when we discover this world we shall find the solution for every problem, the cause for every effect; and since the world within is subject to our control, all laws of power and possession are also within our control.”

The key to everything is in our thoughts. When we think correctly, we build strength, vitality, and constructive forces in our body. If our thoughts are not in order, our bodies experience distress, sickness, lack, limitation, discord, and inharmony.

In paragraph 22, we learn we are related to the world by our subconscious mind. It is through the subconscious that we are connected with the Universal Mind and brought into relation with the Infinite constructive forces of the Universe.

Jumping ahead to paragraph 32, “All power is from within, and is absolutely under your control; it comes through exact knowledge and by the voluntary exercises of exact principles.” But paragraph 35 reminds us “the majority of mankind lives in the world without; few have found the world within, and yet it is the world within that makes the world without; it is, therefore, creative and everything which you find in your world without has been created by you in the world within.”

In paragraph 37, Haanel says, “Most men try to change effects by working with effects. They fail to see that this is simply changing one distress for another. To remove discord, we must remove the cause, and this cause can only be found in the world within.”

To bring about change in our world, we each must look within and get ourselves right. When we envision the world as it could be, we can make it a reality by changing our actions to make it so.

Year 3, Week 1: The Color Blue

The Color Code folks say I’m a Blue and my motive is intimacy. Of the colors and descriptions offered on this site, I guess that’s pretty accurate. I’ve taken a few other color code tests, and in the most prominent one I’ve taken, I come out as a Green, which I completely agree with.

For this color code, the descriptions match me pretty closely. For MOTIVE, they say, “Blues are motivated by Intimacy. They seek to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated. Everything they do is quality-based. They are loyal friends, employers, and employees. Whatever or whomever they commit to is their sole (and soul) focus. They love to serve and give of themselves freely in order to nurture others’ lives.”

This is certainly true, so I guess I object to the choice of the word “intimacy” as the prime descriptor.

For the introduction to Blues, they say the following: “Blues have distinct preferences and have the most controlling personality. Their personal code of ethics is remarkably strong and they expect others to live honest, committed lives as well. They enjoy sharing meaningful moments in conversation as well as paying close attention to special life events (e.g. birthdays and anniversaries). Blues are dependable, thoughtful, and analytical; but can also be self-righteous, worry-prone, and moody. They are “sainted pit-bulls” who never let go of something or someone once they are committed. When you deal with a BLUE, be sincere and make a genuine effort to understand and appreciate them.”

Generally speaking, I’m okay with this description. I’ll warn you, I’m not that big on “life events.” Assuming Facebook reminds me of your birthday, I’ll acknowledge it with a basic greeting and wish you well. Otherwise, I might forget to mention it.

How did you think you matched up with your color?

MKE: Month 24 — Don’t Delay. Act Now. Do You Want to Miss This Once A Year Opportunity to Change Your Life?

If you’ve been reading long, you know the Master Key Experience changed my life. It wasn’t overnight. I used simple tools repetitiously to change my habits and my mental outlook. These tools taught me to guide the changes I made to help me on the journey of becoming the person I wanted to be and to achieve what I want most out of life.

What I wanted and needed is going to be very different from what you want and need, but I know the tools work for all aspects of your life. The tools gave me the means to apply what I’d learned as a child in church, so if you’re concerned this course may conflict with your church teachings, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I found myself wishing my church had taught me these implementation tools. MKE gives me the tools to continue transforming my life as my needs and goals evolve and mature. This year I’m focusing on my True Health need. I’ve made a lot of health improvements over the last two years, but it’s time to get serious.

MKE gives me the tools to continue transforming my life as my needs and goals evolve and mature. This year I’m focusing on my True Health need. I’ve made a lot of health improvements over the last two years, but it’s time to get serious and accomplish the next step.

No matter how good your life is, I know you have areas you want to improve. Why not learn some new skills at the same time? The beauty of the Master Key Experience is your cost is $1 to apply for your Pay-It-Forward Scholarship. Your class is already funded, so there’s no cost to you.

About 4-5 weeks into the course, your class will vote whether to continue the Pay-It-Forward Scholarship program (and you’ll fund the next year’s class over 5-6 very reasonable payment periods), or you’ll vote to send the class into the payment system that’s so popular with other on line courses, but if you do that, it will become much more expensive for the people who come after you.

The first video is up — opt-in for this year’s class. Scholarship applications are opening in the next couple days. Watch the videos and leavea comment — it’s part of what you do to earn your scholarship. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have either in comments or in a Contact Me message.

 

Month 23: Time for Gigantic Recommitment. Thoughts on backsliding.

If you were wise, you saw this coming when I switched from weekly to monthly posts last year. Go ahead. Raise your hands if you’re nodding your head.

I thought so. Nearly all of you. Go ahead and put your hands down.

Over the last year, I’ve backslid to the point of not doing nearly all of my processes designed to keep me on track for manifesting my DMP. I was evaluating if I needed to do the full version of the course with a guide this year or not. I pulled out my DMP, and it’s still right on. I have been continuing to manifest the DMP, but my focus has shifted over the last year. I’m more committed to my business and less focused on my writing. I don’t believe that’s accidental. A slight tweak of the DMP should be enough, and I believe my mastermind partner and I can handle that. That means I can use my lifetime membership and audit this year’s course.

To avoid becoming overwhelmed by all the tasks I let slip by the wayside over the last year, I’m going to follow this year’s class more closely and add tasks back in as the new class begins them. This means I’ll need to do the reading and be there for the webinars. As we always are, we’ll be traveling for the first two or three weeks of the class, so I’ll be catching those weeks on replay when we stop for the night.

My primary purpose for taking the course, improving my relationship with my husband, has been manifesting well. A few negative thoughts are creeping back in, so I’ll be chasing those out by refocusing my thinking. For instance, this past week, he’s been a real sweetheart. He dropped everything and accompanied me when I bought my new truck. There were several instances when he did something thoughtful for me without me asking. These are the things I’ll think about and focus on when I think of him.

This year, I’m going to focus on one of my personal pivotal needs — True Health. I have more and better tools at my disposal, and I believe I’m ready to do this. My mind is almost in the right place, but the key is to use the course to reprogram my old blueprint and chip away the years and years of cement that have piled on this body. It’s time to do this thing. I owe it to myself, and I love myself enough to make the commitment a priority. My body weight is one visible aspect of this journey, but True Health is about more than physical health. It’s about mental, emotional, and spiritual health as well.

If you’re just finding this site and are new to MKE but want to learn more, please go here to see if the course piques your interest. If it does, please add yourself to my early notification list (make sure you look for the email asking you to click the confirmation link and click that link, or you won’t be added to the list).

Month 22: Help This Humble Salesman.

I see several of you came looking at the appointed time this month, and I was not yet here. I apologize. This month culminates our Greatest Salesman journey, which is always a rewarding time. We see the full effect of our studies for nearly the last year, and I hope you are energized like I am. For anyone who doubts a superior, overarching force — no matter the name you assign that force — the following passage rings true:

My life need not be filled with religion in order for me to recognize this greatest mystery of nature. All creatures that walk the earth, including man, possess the instinct to cry for help. Why do we possess this instinct, this gift?

Are not our cries a form of prayer? Is it not incomprehensible in a world governed by nature’s laws to give a lamb, or a mule, or a bird, or man the instinct to cry out for help lest some great mind has also provided that the cry should be heard by some superior power having the ability to hear and answer our cry?

It’s simple. It makes sense. The fact that we can cry for help implies implicitly and irrevocably that someone is there to hear our cries. And if someone can hear, someone can respond. We don’t always know the form or function of the response. Sometimes the response is immediate. Sometimes the response is not what we expect or want, but know someone hears.

It’s That Time Again!

Most of you reading know what I’m talking about, but if you don’t, you’re going to learn. The Master Keys Experience opens to new members once a year, and that time is coming soon. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity, so Opt-In now to be on the early notification list for the 2017 class.  When you verify your address, I’ll send you a copy of the 7 Day Mental Diet just for fun.

Enticing People to Your MKE Blog

Most of us know the title to our blog entry is important in getting readers to click on the link to come read it. Some of us don’t want to look like “Click Bait.” How do we find that balance between writing a title people will want to read without misleading them about the content? I started looking around for a freely available analysis tool when I discovered the one I’d used about a year ago was now charging for access — at least in the sense that I needed to submit personal information to be able to use it.

That search led me to Sharethrough. Sharethrough is simple to use. Go to the site, type your proposed title in, and click on the Analyze button. It will churn for a second and provide a number, the higher the number the better. It also explains how it arrived at that number and suggests how you might improve. It lists the strengths of your title and offers a few suggestions (note the positive term as opposed to weaknesses).

I find it interesting that my first thought usually scores around 30-something, but with just a few modifications, I can get my score into 60-something (an average range). I just started playing with this, so maybe I’ll be better with a little more practice.