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When you allow negative messages to invade your mind, you are creating self-fulfilling prophecies that will slow you down and turn success into failure. You react or respond to life based not on each situation you face, but on your perception of each situation. Your perception of circumstances is created in your mind. Are you a person who tends to see the glass of milk as half empty or half full?
Why does it really matter? Negativism attracts negative things. Your life is fulfilling the predictions you embrace. Will they be the negative messages, or will you choose to live out the positive ones and be happy, successful, and free? It is an intentional decision to ignore or overwrite negative messages, and a deliberate stance to take on life half full. It is not easy, but with strength and a positive attitude, you can do it. If you are not strong enough, draw strength from God and become strong enough. Learn what messages are guiding your journey, and intentionally encourage yourself with a positive mindset. The life you dream to create depends on it.
A self-fulfilling prophecy is where a belief (often false) is accepted as truth, and in stating it, becomes true. One classic example of this is portrayed on most television sitcoms and appears in many novels. The typical scenario, which I recently viewed on an old series (in black and white, to indicate how old), shows the main character receiving a chain letter. For those who have never had a “friend” send you one, it is a letter that requires you to send it on to a few more of your friends, and often to send money to someone. The letter states that bad luck will befall anyone who does not participate.
In the show, the main character receives this letter, and throws it in the trash, despite wondering if it could be true. He then begins the self-fulfilling prophecy. Rather than continue the relaxing and productive day he was enjoying, he now expects to see bad luck happen in every experience. He looks around for danger while walking, so much so that he trips over something by his feet. He is so defensive at every comment since he expects bad news, that he attracts a bad reaction from those he greets. He is so scared and suspicious that he appears rude in conversations, and consequently offends those he cares about the most.
Suddenly, he realizes the prophecy from the letter was true. It was, however, not the letter, but his perception of the letter that created this mess. He believed its false claim, and in doing so, created its prediction. Whatever you think about creates what you experience. In this respect, we are all living out self-fulfilling prophecies, because whatever your perception of reality, whatever thoughts you accept as true, will lead you. You attract negative things by focusing on the negative– that is part of the law of attraction.
I believe the law of attraction is sometimes taken to the extreme. As I understand it, there are those who suggest a deadly car accident can be avoided if you only think positively and therefore “attract” only positive things. While you can certainly control how much you focus on the road, how distracted you are when in a rush, and whether you are choosing a safe road to take, you can never “attract” a drunk driver to hit you from nowhere. This message creates false comfort. It would be nice to believe that bad things could never happen if you just think them out of existence, or pray them out of your life circle, but life does not work that way. You can live in that bubble of safety for a while, but eventually you will be shaken out of it, and wonder where your feet will land. Instead, keep your feet on solid ground. Know who you are, how to handle the storms of change and adversity, and attract the good and create the positive wherever you do have control. You can be at peace in the uncertainty knowing you have the tools necessary to handle life’s tides, and you know where to turn for strength.
The law of attraction has some great applications to life, and when viewed in balance, its roots can be found in the Bible. In Romans 12:2 it says “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind” and Proverbs 23:7 says that “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (NIV). You were created with a mind and a will to determine what you embrace and what you eliminate from your thoughts. A child repeatedly told horrible things usually internalizes the messages as true. At some point, that child will grow up and learn there are other messages available. You must decide what to believe.
Where do you find the positive messages, and do you still hang on to the negative ones? Notice the term is “self”-fulfilling prophecy. Whose prophecy are you really fulfilling, are you believing false messages about yourself and creating your own misery? As an adult, you are responsible for the message that drives you. Are you around those who constantly berate you? Tell them to stop. Do you accept statements from others as true, or talk to yourself in a condescending manner? Confident people may more easily dismiss harsh insults from those distant contacts, but when uttered from close loved ones, it becomes even more difficult to keep from accepting them as truth. The hardest to fight of all is when you tell it to yourself. Are you your own worst critic?
Maybe these sound familiar: you are stupid, you will never amount to anything, you can’t make it, how could you have even thought you could succeed, you should have known better, why did you even try, what an embarrassment you are, you are ugly, worthless, unintelligent, incapable, and a failure. These cut deep wounds in your spirit, and it takes intent to replace them with positive truths.
Most people have a set of these to fight. In overcoming my eating disorder many years ago, I had to replace all the negative messages I bombarded myself with constantly, and I now live free of this mental harassment. I care about myself enough to treat me as a friend. Do you? I had to really learn about my purpose in life and how much love God has for me to make this life-altering change. I had friends who reinforced this, and I still know who to talk with when I need encouragement. Do you have time with God, time with positive friends, a place to go to help you change your perspective on a situation? Where do you draw your strength, and where do you find the positive messages? You can achieve your goals in business, you can get your degree, you can have a loving relationship, you can change your life, if you only believe it. Positive thoughts fuel success.
A positive outlook makes the difference between a quitter and a success. The determined intend success and keep going despite obstacles. Successful people believe in themselves and their dreams, and persevere. They dwell on positive thoughts, and attract the truth they believe. If you are determined, you find a way to make it happen because you believe that you CAN. If you believe that you cannot, you will not. There is always a way. It may be difficult, it may be different than you had originally planned, you may have to adapt to the unfamiliar, but if you are focused and think positively, you can achieve your goals. Do you believe it? Decide you can do it, and attract success. You create your dream future. Start today.
The Bible really is the first course of bibliotherapy.
Getting to grips with these ideas is a life-changing experience. Thank you for reminding me of them, Patricia.
I like the verse at Proverbs 23:7. Going to have to think about that one. I particularly like Paul using the phrase “speaking to yourselves,” at Ephesians 5:19, especially in the context of putting off the old personality and clothing yourself with the new. Thought provoking stuff.
Rory,
Thank you for your comment. It is amazing how much our thoughts control what happens around us. We create ourselves every moment, as we shape our attitudes and perceptions. Glad you are making yours a positive one!
Carnival of Healing #69: Let’s Talk about the Good Stuff!…
Happy Saturday all, I’ve just had the pleasure of combing through this week’s submissions for the admirable and fabulous Carnival of Healing. I want to expressly thank each and every one of you who sent in your offerings to this edition. In…
[...] Patricia tells us that much (but not all) of what happens in our lives can be traced back to how we see things in Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, posted at A Better You Blog. [...]
Interesting Finds: January 21, 2007…
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Self-fulfilling prophecies are evident only to people who know what self-fulfilling prophesies are, a lot of people still go around blaming others for events in their lives regardless of the law of attraction or not. Once you know what they are however you gradually start to change the way you think about yourself and your life.
The law of attraction is an immutable law but like in the case of the car accident can you be an innocent bystander? Or is it “Third Party Karma?” There is always an explanation for everything.
We have all had people that berate us in our life and I have often wondered why the negative things people say to you are the things that do the most harm and things that stick with you the longest. I guess reprogramming is an ongoing process and one that we should pay close attention to. I am also a big advocate of putting a lot of distance between myself and such people.
Thanks for the great, thought provoking post.
Cheers
Tabs
[...] Patricia presents Self-Fulfilling Prophecy posted at Patricia. [...]
Law of Attraction Carnival Goes Double Digit…
The Law of Attraction Carnival was created by Edward Miller of Evolving Times. Ed’s intention in creating the carnival was “to provide a powerful tool for helping Deliberate Creators to deepen their connection with the Law of Attraction as …
[...] Victor presents Eliminate Procrastination, Now! Evolving Times presents Improve The Quality Of Your Life By Mastering Your Attention Patricia presents Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Think Happy Thoughts Happiness Blog presents Invincible Happiness Tabs presents Create the Ideal You: Learn How to Reinvent Yourself Corey presents Don?t Rely The Lottery Matthew Paulson presents Marriage and Money: It’s Ours, Not Yours and Mine. Will Chen presents Honesty: Truly, the Best Policy Debra Moorhead presents 5 Ways to Use Your Time More Efficiently NCN presents How To Be Mentally Prepared For Financial Success Part 1 [...]
Jason, thank you for highlighting my blog for your readers. I appreciate it!
Tabs, I agree it is important to realize what messages stick with us. Thank you for your insights and comment.
[...] Patricia writes about self-fulfilling prophecies and how easy it is to become negative and create negative results. [...]
[...] Patricia presents Self-Fulfilling Prophecy posted at A Better You Blog. God tells us in Romans how to be transformed by renewing our mind. How are your thoughts steering you? [...]
[...] Patricia at A Better You Blog presents: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy. In this submission, Patricia offers encouragement for those seeking to add more positivity into their own lives, an extensive discussion on the effects of negative thinking, and her take on the Law of Attraction. I especially appreciate the breadth and depth of this article—if you’re looking for something meaty to bite into, this is your ticket. [...]
[...] Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (1293) as presented by Patricia from A Better You Blog explains how the law of attraction works in both the good and the bad. Make sure you choose what you want in life. [...]
[...] How do you encourage yourself? If you listen to what messages you allow into your thoughts, are they positive, helpful, and constructive, or are you sabotaging your success? Treat yourself as you would treat others. Negative messages should be acted on (if you need to change) and then put aside. Think on the positives and focus on how you CAN do it! Your thoughts create self-fulfilling prophecies. Make them great ones. [...]
Interesting
I have a different interpretation
[...] Patricia presents Self-Fulfilling Prophecy posted at Patricia. [...]
[...] The Law of Attraction goes along with this approach to life: whatever you think about will happen. My view on the Law of Attraction can be seen in my article Self-Fulfilling Prophecy. I believe you do attract most of what you experience, but that life happens in balance, and there are ways to apply any theory to the extreme. While I agree positive thinking creates and attracts positive outcomes, God also gave people free will. The choice to do good or to do harm to others impacts everyone. Some find it comforting to believe in a false security that everything can be controlled, but the unexpected does happen. It is what you do next that determines your level of success. [...]
[...] Patricia presents Self-Fulfilling Prophecy posted at Patricia. [...]
[...] Patricia presents Self-Fulfilling Prophecy posted at A Better You Blog. [...]
SOmetimes that is true, but sometimes other people may think otherwise, like negative encouragement, will be bad to some people, because they are too sensative towards that but others will might think that you are telling them their weakness and they will listen and chanage
I am a Chinese,and today our homework is about self-fulfilling prophecy.
Thank you fou your information.
Thanks ALOT!!!
I am doing a science project on the self-fulfilling prophecy, and your page gave ideas and helped me understand what it is…
Thank you, hannah
Well,Well,Well I would like to refer to where the bible says in verse 8 of the book Joshua”This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,but you shall meditate in it(meaning in d word of God) day and night,-that-(meaning it will cause u)you may observe to do according to all that is wriiten in it”.
Nomore stress,just press.Make sure u are Born-again(Romans 10 verse 9)
U are blessed.
I am glad so many of you are commenting- keep it up!
Idera, thanks for your comment too. I am also a Christian, reflected in my posts. However, I think too often Christians use the “no stress just press” saying to suggest we just sit there, say some prayers, and suddenly everything will change. Instead, we need to change how we think. This can happen in prayer, but it needs to be a conscious choice to re-train our thoughts, not just a passive recitation of some sentences.
As a Christian, I use the Bible as a source of great inspiration. Secular inspirations are often encouraging, but can also usually find their roots from the Bible.
I agree that many things can change through prayer (or “pressing” as Christians sometimes call it): attitudes, motivation, even health, to name a few. Scientific studies are showing prayer is good for your health, so even non-Christians are beginning to realize it is effective.
But making tangible, life-inspiring changes begins by dwelling on the positive and being confident in your life quest. You can read scripture, talk with a friend, read inspirations, or gain strength in prayer, but just do it. You need to believe it is possible to achieve the impossible, and you can do it!
Thanks for your input- Patricia
Not only do i usually see the cup as half empty, i rarely acknowledge that there is anything there at all.
I have been punishing myself with negative thoughts for a while now. Not sure how i would even begin to change that.
I have no friends and God doesn’t seem to want to listen or something…
I don’t know.
Thanks for your honesty, 1+1. I’m sure others will have encouragements for you as well, but let me start by saying the fact that you read the article and commented tells me you want to change, want something better. Good for you!
Punishing oneself is the quickest way to misery. Stop today because you deserve better than that. Take responsibility for your actions, accept any consequences and forgiveness, and make retribution if necessary, and then forgive yourself-if you asked, God already did. Make a conscious effort to remove all the negative messages that berate you for things you cannot control.
God does have a plan for you, and always wants to listen. There is something there for you to see half full, and it sounds like you need friends to remind you of that.
Read my “Overcoming Loneliness” article, and browse the archives for many others to help you get started treating yourself better. Get out of the house and start being around other people, knowing you have a caring soul to contribute and can offer yourself as a friend.
Keep reaching out, especially around the holidays. You can do it! 2008 can be your best year yet!
Patricia