Screw Wishful Thinking and Positive Thoughts
Don’t be shocked by the headline. You know this blog is not about rainbows and fairy tales. We are here to do the work, make the changes and take the steps needed to live life on purpose. The stories about the power of positive thinking are starting to make people a little complacent and in some cases, lazy. Guess what positive thinking is without action? It’s nothing. Your thoughts can only manifest themselves into reality if you take action.
The Lottery Story
A young woman finds herself in dire trouble. Her business has gone bust and she’s in serious financial trouble. She’s so desperate that she decides to ask God for help. She begins to pray…”God, please help me. I’ve lost my business and if I don’t get some money, I’m going to lose my house as well. Please let me win the lottery.”
Lottery night comes and somebody else wins it. The woman again prays …”God, please let me win the lotto! I’ve lost my business, my house and I’m going to lose my car as well.” Lottery night comes and she still has no luck. Once again, she prays…”My God, why have you forsaken me? I’ve lost my business, my house, and my car. My children are starving. I don’t often ask you for help and I have always been a good servant to you. PLEASE just let me win the lotto this one time so I can get my life back in order.”
Suddenly there is a blinding flash of light as the heavens open and the woman is confronted by the voice of God Himself: “Please, meet Me halfway on this. Buy a ticket.”
This story has been told several different ways, but it is a perfect example of what wishing will get you. I do believe in the power of prayer and asking for help, from God, a neighbor, a blogger or whomever is the right person to call on depending on the situation, but you have to meet halfway and do your part.
I spend some time this weekend with some very inspiring bloggers and entrepreneurs. They are redefining success and achieving it by being creative, collaborative and most importantly by taking action.
What are you waiting for? Please don’t complicate things. Don’t think a good idea to death. Make a move, take a leap, run with it, or whatever else you have to do to make all of your wishful thinking and positive thoughts meaningful in your life.
Decide how you want to live your life and just start.
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27 Responses to “Screw Wishful Thinking and Positive Thoughts”
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This post kicks ass!!!!! Go, Courtney!!!!! I love the line, “Don’t think a good idea to death.”
Hear it, people!!!
Thanks Meg!
Awesome Courtney! I am so going to go out and buy a lottery ticket! Just kidding. You’ve inspired me to go way beyond lottery tickets and plunge right into my dreams. Nothing’s impossible with hard work. I love your gusto and your headline. As Meg says, “this post kicks ass!!!”
Katie, Sounds like you have already taken the plunge!
Thanks for telling it like it is, Courtney! I hear and read things that tell us if we just think a certain way we can “manifest” whatever we want. That’s crap and, as far as I can tell, not at all what positive thinking is about. You’re so right, action is needed to achieve anything. This post, and the headline, both do kick ass. Thanks!
Hi Courtney. It was fun meeting you yesterday. Next time I hope we’ll get a chance to talk more. I so agree with you here and “talking a thing to death” is something I’ve been guilty of for sure. You’re right there is nobody coming to save us. My friend used to say God won’t do anything for you but God will do it through you. I never forgot that.
It gave me a little chuckle (the story mainly) but it’s true. We do have to put in the hard yards to get what we want and you know, even then it doesn’t mean we should/must/will get what we plan imho. I really liked your message Courtney. I wrote of a similar thing here: http://www.lifeyouimagine.com/2010/10/tie-your-camel-strive/
Thanks for a great reminder to rally us to action!
I love the title Cortney! The fear of leaping into the unfamiliar, and just going for it can be very hard to overcome. But once you do…you’ll be wondering why you waiting so long. Jump in with both feet …the water is fine! http://roatanvortex.com/2010/03/20/what-i-miss-%E2%80%93-what-i-don%E2%80%99t-%E2%80%93-two-years-to-decide/
Hi Cortney,
I’m following your link over from Tess’ site today — I subscribed to your site a few days ago. Great blog! It’s super that you spent time with a group of inspiring people, I’m sure you will bring much to your life from being with these Energizer Bunnies.
Keep up the great work, I’ll be back!
~xo
Hi Lori,
I can’t wait to dig into your blog this weekend. Sounds like we have a lot in common. Would love to connect!
Great post! The best kind of positive thinking is the kind that motivates you to act.
Like Jay said, this post kicks you in your ass! Great
I’ve written 3 new articles because of yours right now
Woo Hoo! Way to go Michael.
Hello Courtney,
first of all, great story, I know this one also in German, but the sence behind it is askable? Why? Because I don´t think that other people will help us.
Solving my problem is not the only thing for all others, so I have to do it myself. Don’t sit down and wait, stand up and think about one problem, and try to solve it. Nothing else!
I think, but it is only my personal meaning (right?), that the most problems getting so worse because we are sitting and waiting for someone who is solving our problems for us!
Do you think the lottery win, would help that woman above? I don’t do that, why? Getting much money don´t make you lucky. You solving the first problems, but you are not happy with that after a period of time. you don´t do it yourself, someone else did it for you and so our self-confidence fail, or?
so first of sit down, and helf yourself if someone is coming your way, and wants to helf you okay, but first you are the builder of yourself, no one selse!
Hopefully my discribtion was understandable? Have a nice christmas, a few mindful and calm free days with your families.