Your Mind is the Genesis of Your Destiny
This is another installment in Dr. Wallace's collective expressions of the power of the human mind to change the course of life in specific and defined detail. Dr. Wallace has been immensely successful in helping his clients change their lives by using a highly specific and dependable approach that targets a person's thought patterns. In this short-book he explains how it works.
This is another installment in Dr. Wallace's collective expressions of the power of the human mind to change the course of life in specific and defined detail. Dr. Wallace has been immensely successful in helping his clients change their lives by using a highly specific and dependable approach that targets a person's thought patterns. In this short-book he explains how it works.
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<strong>Your</strong> <strong>Mind</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> Genes<strong>is</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Destiny</strong><br />
An Introduction to <strong>the</strong> Power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Thought<br />
By<br />
Rick Wallace, Ph.D., Psy.D.<br />
Publ<strong>is</strong>hed by Odyssey Media Group at Smashwords<br />
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may not be re-sold, given way or o<strong>the</strong>rw<strong>is</strong>e d<strong>is</strong>tributed to o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
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Table <strong>of</strong> Content<br />
Introduction<br />
The Law <strong>of</strong> Cause & Effect<br />
The Idle <strong>Mind</strong> — An Unattended Garden<br />
The Inextricable Bond between Thought and Character<br />
Order vs Chaos<br />
Psychosomatics: The Effect <strong>of</strong> Thoughts On <strong>Your</strong> Health
How <strong>Your</strong> Thoughts Impact <strong>Your</strong> Achievement<br />
Why We Need V<strong>is</strong>ions and Dreams<br />
Creating an Optimal Future for <strong>Your</strong>self<br />
The Reticular Activating System<br />
The Power <strong>of</strong> Intent to Change <strong>Your</strong> Life<br />
About <strong>the</strong> Author<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r Books & Titles by <strong>the</strong> Author<br />
Programs & Courses<br />
Connect with Dr. Rick Wallace<br />
Introduction<br />
<strong>Your</strong> <strong>Mind</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> Genes<strong>is</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Your</strong> Condition<br />
We have all heard, <strong>is</strong> some form or ano<strong>the</strong>r, that as a man thinks in h<strong>is</strong> mind, so <strong>is</strong> he. Gaining a<br />
lucid perspicacity <strong>of</strong> th<strong>is</strong> truth <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> infinite power<br />
necessary to control your destiny and so much more. Not only does your mind influence <strong>the</strong><br />
internal mechan<strong>is</strong>m <strong>of</strong> your character, but it directly impacts <strong>the</strong> external reality <strong>of</strong> your<br />
circumstances. In fact, a person’s circumstance cannot be divorced from <strong>the</strong> pattern <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
thought, because <strong>the</strong> circumstances are <strong>the</strong> fruit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir thinking.<br />
You should see your thoughts as seeds that function in <strong>the</strong> same manner as physical seeds. You<br />
can only return and harvest what you have planted. The problem <strong>is</strong> that most people sow <strong>the</strong> seed<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts in ignorance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> power <strong>the</strong>se thoughts possess to shape <strong>the</strong>ir realities and<br />
solidify <strong>the</strong>ir destinies.<br />
Even when we consider <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> a person’s thoughts impacting <strong>the</strong>ir life, we fail to fully grasp<br />
<strong>the</strong> magnitude <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> force <strong>of</strong> thought --- understanding that it literally transcends <strong>the</strong> influence<br />
<strong>of</strong> self-being, comprehensively invading <strong>the</strong> complete circumference <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> person’s<br />
circumstances and condition in life. In simple, you are where you are as a result <strong>of</strong> your thought<br />
patterns and <strong>the</strong> habits and actions <strong>the</strong>y inevitably produce. So, you will never be able to change<br />
your condition without first changing <strong>the</strong> way you think.<br />
The power that your mind possesses <strong>is</strong> infinite in its capacity to completely shift <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong><br />
your life. <strong>Your</strong> predominant thoughts are constantly shaping your current reality through a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> different influential components and mechan<strong>is</strong>ms.<br />
“<strong>Your</strong> Thoughts are <strong>the</strong> architects <strong>of</strong> your destiny.” ~ David O. McKay
<strong>Your</strong> thoughts are <strong>the</strong> seeds — <strong>the</strong> genes<strong>is</strong> — <strong>of</strong> your future realities, circumstances and<br />
conditions. I <strong>of</strong>ten tell my clients, “you don’t get what you want, you get who you are, and you<br />
will always be <strong>the</strong> sum total <strong>of</strong> your thoughts.” Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> an inescapable reality. As James Allen<br />
said, “we are <strong>the</strong> makers <strong>of</strong> ourselves.”<br />
When you make your thoughts analogous to <strong>the</strong> act <strong>of</strong> sowing for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> harvesting, you<br />
can see that <strong>the</strong>re first <strong>is</strong> a blossoming <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seed, which <strong>is</strong> not <strong>the</strong> fruit, but a sign <strong>of</strong> what <strong>is</strong> to<br />
come. When it comes to thought, <strong>the</strong> actions produced by <strong>the</strong>m can be seen as <strong>the</strong> blossom, now<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> fruit that will be produced will be suffering or elation will depend directly on what<br />
was planted by way <strong>of</strong> thought. The blossom, or action taken, will be in direct correspondence to<br />
your predominant thoughts, and it <strong>is</strong> those actions that work inexorably through multitudinous<br />
processes to form and usher in circumstances that will be indicative <strong>of</strong> your current condition.<br />
Allow me to elucidate my point. No matter how much a person may say <strong>the</strong>y want different<br />
results, if <strong>the</strong>y never change <strong>the</strong>ir thinking, subsequently changing <strong>the</strong>ir behavior and <strong>the</strong> manner<br />
in which <strong>the</strong>y interpret <strong>the</strong>ir circumstances, <strong>the</strong>y will continue to get <strong>the</strong> same results. You must<br />
understand that, contrary to popular belief, your circumstances do not shape your life, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
simply reveal your current condition and character.<br />
When you change your thought patterns and see your circumstances for what <strong>the</strong>y really are — a<br />
looking glass into <strong>the</strong> inner recesses <strong>of</strong> your personal axiology — revealing <strong>the</strong> foundation <strong>of</strong><br />
your character and value system from which it operates. When circumstances are unfavorable, it<br />
<strong>is</strong> an opportunity for you to evaluate where you are and to adjust your thinking in areas directly<br />
associated with <strong>the</strong> negative circumstance. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> why people will <strong>of</strong>ten find <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />
encountering <strong>the</strong> same negative situation — over and over again. Until you shift your thinking in<br />
a specific area, you will continue to produce <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> your current thought patterns. Th<strong>is</strong><br />
must be understood as a universal law, because <strong>the</strong> reality <strong>of</strong> its force <strong>is</strong> immutable.<br />
Cause & Effect<br />
As it <strong>is</strong> in <strong>the</strong> physical realm <strong>of</strong> third-dimensional occurrences, <strong>the</strong> law <strong>of</strong> cause and effect <strong>is</strong> an<br />
undeviating, unequivocal force that controls reality. For every effect (insert result) <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> a<br />
corresponding cause. When you want a new effect or result, you must adjust causality. You<br />
cannot change <strong>the</strong> effect without changing <strong>the</strong> cause. If you want to stop breaking your toe, stop<br />
kicking <strong>the</strong> wall when you get angry.<br />
There <strong>is</strong> something else that you must understand, and that <strong>is</strong> that character <strong>is</strong> not bequea<strong>the</strong>d<br />
through some mystical form <strong>of</strong> appropriation upon <strong>the</strong> deserving or undeserving — by chance or<br />
by some form <strong>of</strong> favor. It <strong>is</strong> earned by <strong>the</strong> force <strong>of</strong> cons<strong>is</strong>tent thought. <strong>Your</strong> character <strong>is</strong> a direct<br />
reflection <strong>of</strong> your thinking. It <strong>is</strong> when a person <strong>is</strong> able to effectively form <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts with an<br />
intelligence <strong>of</strong> how <strong>the</strong> world around <strong>the</strong>m works — keeping guard against negative ideations<br />
and impure intent — that <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts will produce <strong>the</strong> fruit <strong>of</strong> elation, success and peaceful<br />
conditions.<br />
The Idle <strong>Mind</strong>
There <strong>is</strong> an old aphor<strong>is</strong>m that has been <strong>of</strong>ten quoted for years; it says, “an idle mind <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> devil’s<br />
workshop.” Th<strong>is</strong> adage points to a poignant truth, which <strong>is</strong> that an unmanaged thought process<br />
does not remain stagnant and unfruitful, but <strong>the</strong> fruit it produces will not serve its host well at all.<br />
Imagine <strong>the</strong> mind as a garden, which can ei<strong>the</strong>r be effectively and intelligently cultivated by<br />
planting specific seeds that will bear fruit, producing what <strong>is</strong> needed, or by neglecting <strong>the</strong> garden<br />
and leaving it to its own devices. What you will find <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> cultivated garden will produce exactly<br />
what <strong>is</strong> planted and cultivated, without deviation, while <strong>the</strong> neglected garden will not stay barren,<br />
instead bringing forth useless weeds and po<strong>is</strong>onous plants that will drain <strong>the</strong> land. The mind <strong>is</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> same way, when unattended, and <strong>the</strong> proper seeds are not planted with cons<strong>is</strong>tency and care,<br />
wayward thoughts, influenced by external forces, will become <strong>the</strong> seeds <strong>of</strong> prom<strong>is</strong>e — seeds that<br />
can only produce poor conditions and suffering.<br />
The Inextricable Bond between Thought and Character<br />
Rarely <strong>is</strong> a person’s character directly affiliated with <strong>the</strong>ir thinking, but that does not change <strong>the</strong><br />
fact that <strong>the</strong>ir character <strong>is</strong> actually a direct result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir thinking. In fact, it <strong>is</strong> impossible for<br />
character to manifest itself, at a point <strong>of</strong> d<strong>is</strong>covery, outside <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> environment <strong>of</strong> circumstance,<br />
which should be understood as <strong>the</strong> outward conditions <strong>of</strong> a person’s inner state. Therefore, when<br />
a person’s character <strong>is</strong> examined, it will always be d<strong>is</strong>covered to be harmonious with <strong>the</strong>ir inner<br />
state <strong>of</strong> being — <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts.<br />
When working with my clients, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> greatest challenges I face <strong>is</strong> convincing <strong>the</strong>m that <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
negative circumstances are not actually a part <strong>of</strong> an external force moving against <strong>the</strong>m, but <strong>the</strong><br />
fruit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts coming back to challenge <strong>the</strong>m to elevate <strong>the</strong>ir thinking. Life <strong>is</strong> not<br />
happening to you, it’s responding to you.<br />
<strong>Your</strong> thoughts are literally a creative force <strong>of</strong> infinite power through you which you have <strong>the</strong><br />
capacity to form <strong>the</strong> ideas (seeds) that will be cultivated and nour<strong>is</strong>hed, until <strong>the</strong>y create <strong>the</strong><br />
condition that <strong>is</strong> reflective <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir origin. Positive circumstances can be bir<strong>the</strong>d from negative<br />
thoughts and negative circumstances can never r<strong>is</strong>e from <strong>the</strong> purity <strong>of</strong> good thoughts. The<br />
thoughts you entertain most will have <strong>the</strong> greatest impact on your external reality.<br />
It <strong>is</strong> true that you are <strong>the</strong> master <strong>of</strong> your fate, because you are <strong>the</strong> guarder <strong>of</strong> your thought.<br />
Unfortunately, very few people guard <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts with any form <strong>of</strong> diligence and concern for<br />
<strong>the</strong> influences that move against it. Many people have certain feelings toward specific situations<br />
without <strong>the</strong> slightest idea <strong>of</strong> why. They have completely m<strong>is</strong>sed <strong>the</strong> fact that those intellectual<br />
stimuli and image impressions that <strong>the</strong>y cons<strong>is</strong>tently expose <strong>the</strong>ir subconscious to have<br />
influenced <strong>the</strong>ir thinking, subsequently influencing <strong>the</strong> totality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir ex<strong>is</strong>tence.<br />
<strong>Your</strong> thoughts are an inner reflection <strong>of</strong> your character — <strong>the</strong> values that drive your desires —<br />
and only desires that are in direct harmony with your inner character can survive <strong>the</strong> entire<br />
process <strong>of</strong> manifestation. So, your circumstances are simply <strong>the</strong> means through which <strong>the</strong> human<br />
soul receives its innermost yearnings. Our thoughts move beyond <strong>the</strong> reach <strong>of</strong> our superficial<br />
outward expressions that supposedly identify what we want out <strong>of</strong> life — delving beyond <strong>the</strong><br />
depths <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> human psyche to pierce <strong>the</strong> spirit — <strong>the</strong> place <strong>of</strong> true passion and yearnings. We
can proclaim <strong>the</strong> desire to be honest, upright, successful and more, but our circumstances and<br />
cons<strong>is</strong>tent realities will quickly reveal <strong>the</strong> inner-workings <strong>of</strong> our heart — our thought patterns.<br />
As I stated earlier, circumstance <strong>is</strong> simply <strong>the</strong> Revealer <strong>of</strong> character that shows up as an<br />
instructor to fuel both, change and growth. Circumstances can produce both, suffering and<br />
elation, with one positively reinforcing a current thought pattern, and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r using d<strong>is</strong>comfort<br />
to prompt change in an ex<strong>is</strong>ting mindset.<br />
Not until you accept <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> force that shapes your life <strong>is</strong> within, will you experience <strong>the</strong><br />
desired changes that you are looking for.<br />
From both, academic study and experiential observation, I have learned that it <strong>is</strong> a person’s mind<br />
that will ei<strong>the</strong>r liberate <strong>the</strong>m or create boundaries that impr<strong>is</strong>on <strong>the</strong>m. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> where many<br />
religious people fail m<strong>is</strong>erably, based on <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong>y believe <strong>the</strong>ir artificially manufactured<br />
faith, accompanied by prayer, will produce <strong>the</strong> desires <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir hearts. But, a person does not get<br />
what <strong>the</strong>y want out <strong>of</strong> life, <strong>the</strong>y invariably get who <strong>the</strong>y are. You cannot get what you are not. In<br />
order to elevate what you are getting, you must first elevate your thinking. Ironically, th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> why<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bible places such great emphas<strong>is</strong> on thinking (guard your hearts and minds, bringing every<br />
thought into captivity, etc.).<br />
While many people will revolt against <strong>the</strong> reality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir current negative circumstances, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
will produce no efficacious results. Remember <strong>the</strong> law <strong>of</strong> cause and effect <strong>is</strong> in play here, and<br />
your circumstances are simply <strong>the</strong> effect or result <strong>of</strong> something else — your thoughts. In order to<br />
change <strong>the</strong> effect, you must be willing to change <strong>the</strong> cause. It <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> cause that constantly<br />
interferes with and retards efforts focused on change. Ano<strong>the</strong>r way to view th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> through <strong>the</strong><br />
concept <strong>of</strong> putting <strong>the</strong> horse before <strong>the</strong> carriage. While having a desire to change unfavorable<br />
circumstances <strong>is</strong> a natural reaction to <strong>the</strong> d<strong>is</strong>comfort it creates, it cannot be <strong>the</strong> first step in <strong>the</strong><br />
grand order <strong>of</strong> change. No matter how hard you strive to improve your negative circumstances,<br />
your efforts will cons<strong>is</strong>tently be thwarted until you become equally committed to improving<br />
yourself as well, for it <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> self (by way <strong>of</strong> thought) that produces <strong>the</strong> circumstances.<br />
I have people come to me who are immensely frustrated. They have set <strong>the</strong>se remarkable goals to<br />
do something extraordinary and exceptional, by all standards, but <strong>the</strong>ir efforts and progress are<br />
being frustrated perpetually. The reason <strong>is</strong> that <strong>the</strong>ir goals, and <strong>the</strong> behavior associated with<br />
<strong>the</strong>m, are not in harmony with <strong>the</strong>ir character (value system).<br />
Let me give you a real life example. I had a client come to me for one-on-one marriage<br />
counseling. He swore that he wanted to save h<strong>is</strong> marriage, which was floundering and sinking<br />
fast. After spending some time with him, I identified <strong>the</strong> behavior behind <strong>the</strong> troubled marriage.<br />
He was a sole provider for h<strong>is</strong> family, and he had a value system that rewarded him for h<strong>is</strong> hard<br />
work by justifying h<strong>is</strong> hanging out with h<strong>is</strong> male buddies up to three times a week after work,<br />
and on weekends. Well, obviously, th<strong>is</strong> put a strain on h<strong>is</strong> marriage, because h<strong>is</strong> buddies are<br />
taking priority <strong>of</strong> h<strong>is</strong> wife and family — which <strong>is</strong> not a very good look for any marriage.<br />
So, I told him that he was going to have to cut h<strong>is</strong> interactions with h<strong>is</strong> “boys” down to once per<br />
month. He said that he would do it. Six months later, he comes back to me, and he <strong>is</strong> fuming. He
says, “I did exactly what you told me, and it has actually gotten worse.” So, if he did what I told<br />
him, why weren’t things any better? H<strong>is</strong> actions were not in alignment with h<strong>is</strong> belief system and<br />
personal values. He still believed that <strong>the</strong> fact that he was <strong>the</strong> sole provider meant he should be<br />
able to hang out with h<strong>is</strong> buddies whenever he wanted, so he did what I asked him to do, but he<br />
did it begrudgingly. H<strong>is</strong> wife was able to sense h<strong>is</strong> resentment and animosity, and so she<br />
responded with resentment <strong>of</strong> her own. I worked with him for weeks to change <strong>is</strong> views, and<br />
when he changed h<strong>is</strong> views, spending time with h<strong>is</strong> wife was no longer viewed as a sacrifice, but<br />
an honor and a pleasure. H<strong>is</strong> marriage recovered, and <strong>the</strong>y are doing better than ever.<br />
It <strong>is</strong> not simply <strong>the</strong> effort and actions that matter, but <strong>the</strong> alignment <strong>of</strong> those efforts with who you<br />
really are. You will have to change you before you can change your negative situation. In fact,<br />
that <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> primary purpose <strong>of</strong> a negative situation — to give you a look inside at your character<br />
and to demand that you change it.<br />
It <strong>is</strong> not until a person ceases from <strong>the</strong>ir campaign to blame o<strong>the</strong>rs for <strong>the</strong>ir condition that <strong>the</strong>y<br />
begin <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> seizing greatness. It <strong>is</strong> when you recognize that <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> a regulatory force at<br />
work in your life that <strong>is</strong> more powerful than any o<strong>the</strong>r — your thoughts. Whining and<br />
complaining can produce no true results associated with positive change, but <strong>the</strong> adjustment <strong>of</strong><br />
wayward thinking will produce cons<strong>is</strong>tent progress.<br />
Order Over Chaos<br />
It <strong>is</strong> immensely important to understand that <strong>the</strong> universe <strong>is</strong> one <strong>of</strong> order, not chaos. The order <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> universe <strong>is</strong> governed by a set <strong>of</strong> mutable and immutable laws that produce uniform results.<br />
When a person begins to alter how <strong>the</strong>y view <strong>the</strong>mselves, o<strong>the</strong>rs and life in general, <strong>the</strong>y will<br />
begin to see positive changes in <strong>the</strong>ir outward condition. If you are looking for an accelerated<br />
transformation in your life, <strong>the</strong>n you must be committed to a radical shift in your thinking. There<br />
<strong>is</strong> no o<strong>the</strong>r way.<br />
So, you can see that <strong>the</strong> common m<strong>is</strong>conception that one can hide <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts from plain view<br />
<strong>is</strong> blown away when <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mind <strong>is</strong> placed underneath <strong>the</strong> microscope. Thoughts are<br />
not simply inv<strong>is</strong>ible ideas, but ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> seedlings <strong>of</strong> materialized habits that produce<br />
corresponding circumstances and realities.<br />
Psychosomatics: The Effect <strong>of</strong> Thoughts on <strong>Your</strong> Health<br />
For years, scient<strong>is</strong>ts have understood and studied <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> thoughts on physical health. The<br />
body <strong>is</strong>, in essence, a tool <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mind, and it <strong>is</strong> bound by <strong>the</strong> idea and concepts conceived within<br />
<strong>the</strong> mind. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most powerful representations <strong>of</strong> th<strong>is</strong> truth <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> famous four-minute mile.<br />
Before 1954, <strong>is</strong> was believed that no one would ever break <strong>the</strong> four-minute mark in <strong>the</strong> mile. The<br />
belief was that it was simply humanly impossible, and it was that belief that corralled thousands<br />
<strong>of</strong> those who ran <strong>the</strong> mile. But, in 1954, things changed. What changed exactly? Roger Ban<strong>is</strong>ter<br />
came along and he made up in h<strong>is</strong> mind that he was going to run <strong>the</strong> mile in under four minutes.<br />
The first place that he began to move against th<strong>is</strong> barrier was in h<strong>is</strong> mind. He had to mentally<br />
convince himself that he could do it.
Once he was mentally convinced, he was able to change h<strong>is</strong> workouts to accommodate a faster<br />
pace per quarter mile. You see, because people did not believe it was possible <strong>the</strong>y did not even<br />
train for <strong>the</strong> possibility. Roger Ban<strong>is</strong>ter trained with a purpose <strong>of</strong> breaking <strong>the</strong> barrier, and he did<br />
just that. While that was considered miraculous in and <strong>of</strong> itself, what was even more miraculous<br />
<strong>is</strong> that in <strong>the</strong> next three years, more than 1,000 people would run <strong>the</strong> mile in under four minutes,<br />
and since <strong>the</strong>n, more than 20,000 have done it — with some being high school athletes. You see,<br />
<strong>the</strong> mind <strong>is</strong> far more powerful than <strong>the</strong> body. The body always follows <strong>the</strong> cues given by <strong>the</strong><br />
mind. The problem for most people <strong>is</strong> that <strong>the</strong>y send <strong>the</strong> body poor cues.<br />
When <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> worry, anxiety or stress, <strong>the</strong> body will release <strong>the</strong> hormone<br />
cort<strong>is</strong>ol, which <strong>is</strong> actually designed to help <strong>the</strong> body manage temporary stressful situations.<br />
Cort<strong>is</strong>ol <strong>is</strong> what triggers <strong>the</strong> flight or fight response, which also includes <strong>the</strong> hormone adrenaline.<br />
The problem <strong>is</strong> that when <strong>the</strong> mind constantly entertains thoughts that produce stress, you begin<br />
to suffer what <strong>is</strong> known as chronic stress, which can result in cardiovascular d<strong>is</strong>ease,<br />
neurological d<strong>is</strong>orders, organ damage, chemical imbalances and much more. Th<strong>is</strong> chronic<br />
condition <strong>is</strong> a slow killer, slow but sure.<br />
Psychosomatics <strong>is</strong> how you explain, one spouse dying within hours or mere days after <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
The mind controls <strong>the</strong> will to live. During <strong>the</strong> Korean war, it <strong>is</strong> reported that once pr<strong>is</strong>oners <strong>of</strong><br />
war gave up hope <strong>of</strong> being rescued, <strong>the</strong>y would simply go lay on a cot, tell everyone to leave<br />
<strong>the</strong>m alone, and within a day or so, <strong>the</strong>y would be dead.<br />
When you expose your mind to negative thoughts, <strong>the</strong> repercussions <strong>of</strong> those thoughts will<br />
permeate throughout every orifice <strong>of</strong> your ex<strong>is</strong>tence, including your physical ex<strong>is</strong>tence. When<br />
<strong>the</strong> mind entertains degradation, <strong>the</strong> body begins <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> degradation. In <strong>the</strong> same manner,<br />
when <strong>the</strong> mind entertains positive and uplifting thoughts, <strong>the</strong> body can experience healing. When<br />
functioning optimally, we are completely self-contained and self-sustained. The mind remains<br />
<strong>the</strong> most effective physician in h<strong>is</strong>tory, but we must simply relearn how to use it.<br />
When a person cons<strong>is</strong>tently entertains negative thoughts, such as envy, suspicion, cynic<strong>is</strong>m,<br />
hatred and fear, <strong>the</strong>y confine <strong>the</strong>mselves to a self-imposed pr<strong>is</strong>on, from which only <strong>the</strong>y can free<br />
<strong>the</strong>mselves.<br />
How <strong>Your</strong> Thoughts Impact <strong>Your</strong> Achievement<br />
Every achievement in life, and every failure, are a direct result <strong>of</strong> your thoughts. <strong>Your</strong> entire<br />
reality ex<strong>is</strong>ts as <strong>the</strong> direct fruit <strong>of</strong> your thinking. So, if you want to improve your capacity to<br />
achieve in life, you must develop a limpid anagnor<strong>is</strong><strong>is</strong> that <strong>the</strong> capacity <strong>of</strong> achievement cannot<br />
transcend <strong>the</strong> condition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mind and its predominant thought processes. When you<br />
understand that you get what you are, <strong>the</strong>n you understand that you must change who you are to<br />
get more. Th<strong>is</strong> demand for a metamorphos<strong>is</strong> can only be met through <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> radical<br />
thought transformation. One must ra<strong>is</strong>e <strong>the</strong>ir standards, which includes a lowering <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
tolerance for things associated with failure, such as excuses, blaming, playing <strong>the</strong> victim, etc.<br />
Additionally, <strong>the</strong>y must also ra<strong>is</strong>e <strong>the</strong>ir expectations for <strong>the</strong>mselves. The universe will only meet<br />
you at <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> your expectations — no higher.
The place you must start in developing <strong>the</strong> mental capacity for optimal achievement <strong>is</strong> in <strong>the</strong><br />
acceptance that your reality <strong>is</strong> all your own. Individual responsibility <strong>is</strong> an absolute reality that<br />
cannot be circumvented in <strong>the</strong> quest for greatness. What th<strong>is</strong> means <strong>is</strong> that your weaknesses and<br />
strengths, imperfections and nobleness, purities and impurities belong to you and no one else.<br />
Understanding th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> growth and personal achievement.<br />
There <strong>is</strong> only one way that a person can lift <strong>the</strong>mselves from <strong>the</strong> current situation to new heights<br />
— by ra<strong>is</strong>ing <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir thinking. In <strong>the</strong> same sense, <strong>the</strong> only way that <strong>the</strong>y can remain in<br />
<strong>the</strong> same low state <strong>is</strong> by refusing to elevate <strong>the</strong>ir thinking. Often, people who refuse to elevate<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir thinking will tend to respond to negative circumstances through emotional compulsion,<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r than critical thought. They also lack <strong>the</strong> wherewithal to formulate methodical planning and<br />
strategic order — rendering <strong>the</strong>m ineffective in <strong>the</strong>ir quest for achievement.<br />
When it comes to achievement, you are only limited by <strong>the</strong> thoughts you choose to entertain.<br />
Why We Need V<strong>is</strong>ions and Dreams<br />
One thing that I have learned <strong>is</strong> that <strong>the</strong> physical world (third-dimension) <strong>is</strong> supported by a more<br />
vast and powerful inv<strong>is</strong>ible world (fourth & fifth-dimensions). Reality <strong>is</strong> first manifested in <strong>the</strong><br />
inv<strong>is</strong>ible realm through thoughts infused with faith. Long before we see <strong>the</strong> reality <strong>of</strong> great<br />
accompl<strong>is</strong>hment and <strong>the</strong> bearing out <strong>of</strong> v<strong>is</strong>ions and dreams, <strong>the</strong>y ex<strong>is</strong>ted — first in <strong>the</strong> mind, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>n in <strong>the</strong> spiritual realm — where <strong>the</strong>y gained momentum, definition and clarity. What th<strong>is</strong><br />
means <strong>is</strong> that it <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> dreamers <strong>of</strong> th<strong>is</strong> world that sustain its order, its life and its force. Without<br />
<strong>the</strong> dreamer, <strong>the</strong> very breath <strong>of</strong> humanity would be zapped away in an instance. It <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> dream<br />
that feeds <strong>the</strong> hope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> masses, and provides <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> possibility. Dreams took men to flight,<br />
streamlined communication mechan<strong>is</strong>ms and made <strong>the</strong> world just a little bit smaller.<br />
Earlier, I mentioned that th<strong>is</strong> universe <strong>is</strong> one <strong>of</strong> order, and in th<strong>is</strong> order <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> one truth that has<br />
been upheld since <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> time. The person who harbors a v<strong>is</strong>ion, refuses to relinqu<strong>is</strong>h<br />
it, cher<strong>is</strong>hes and nurtures it as a grand ideal will one day realize it in all its splendid glory. If fact,<br />
if you dare to dream <strong>the</strong> l<strong>of</strong>tiest <strong>of</strong> dreams, you will find that your dreams are shaping your<br />
reality. <strong>Your</strong> dream will become a prophecy <strong>of</strong> sorts, revealing what you will one day become.<br />
Creating an Optimal Future for <strong>Your</strong>self<br />
“Life <strong>is</strong> a mirror and will reflect back to <strong>the</strong> thinker what he thinks into it.” ~ Ernest Homes<br />
Okay, I believe that I have laid a solid foundation, through reason, for <strong>the</strong> understanding and<br />
engagement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fact that our thoughts are <strong>the</strong> architects <strong>of</strong> our destiny, but <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> more —<br />
much more. What I want <strong>is</strong> to be explicitly clear in articulating <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> nothing<br />
mystical about <strong>the</strong> manner in which <strong>the</strong> mind writes <strong>the</strong> narrative <strong>of</strong> one’s life. Unfortunately, it<br />
<strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> belief <strong>of</strong> millions that <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> some mystical power that determines <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong><br />
people’s lives, but while our thoughts are immaterial, in and <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>mselves, <strong>the</strong>y are a part <strong>of</strong> a<br />
larger system that <strong>is</strong> mental, biological, emotional and spiritual.<br />
Let’s take a look at <strong>the</strong> neurological implications associated with <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> directive thought.<br />
When I developed <strong>the</strong> V<strong>is</strong>ionetics concept, my goal was to create a comprehensive system <strong>of</strong>
engagement that would allow me to work with people, no matter where <strong>the</strong>y were currently in<br />
life, in order to get <strong>the</strong>m to perform optimally in every area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir life. I soon learned that my<br />
background in conventional psychology would not be sufficient to create such an ecumenical<br />
system. I was guided through a maze <strong>of</strong> psychological concepts, <strong>the</strong>ories and philosophies that<br />
required that I anatomize each and every construct to decipher <strong>the</strong> code that governed human<br />
behavior in <strong>the</strong> most absolute way. While many had tackled <strong>the</strong> idea, very few had come close to<br />
bringing all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> components and elements toge<strong>the</strong>r to present <strong>the</strong> hol<strong>is</strong>tic picture <strong>of</strong> th<strong>is</strong><br />
pr<strong>is</strong>tine system <strong>of</strong> universal laws that have been in play since <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> mankind.<br />
If I were to be asked who has come closest in examining <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> my contemporaries, I<br />
would have to say Tony Robbins. H<strong>is</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> multiple components at play, and <strong>the</strong><br />
multitudinous levels at which <strong>the</strong> human ex<strong>is</strong>tence plays out <strong>is</strong> quite impressive. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> to take<br />
nothing from people like Les Brown, Eric Thomas, Jim Rohn, Bob Proctor and many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
great minds, like Mat<strong>the</strong>w Martz, Napoleon Hill, Wallace D. Wattles, Earl Nightingale and <strong>the</strong><br />
l<strong>is</strong>t goes on. I believe that Tony has simply gleaned from h<strong>is</strong> experiences and exposure to all <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>se individuals to merge <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> a hol<strong>is</strong>tic ex<strong>is</strong>tence.<br />
When looking to expand my understanding <strong>of</strong> human behavior and performance in life, I was<br />
forced to leave <strong>the</strong> comfort <strong>of</strong> my expert<strong>is</strong>e in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> cognitive psychology and traumarelated<br />
psychology to examine <strong>the</strong> biological components <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> exceptional system <strong>of</strong> thought<br />
dynamics. Welcome to <strong>the</strong> merging <strong>of</strong> psychology and neurology.<br />
In dealing with my clients who has suffered from some form <strong>of</strong> trauma, especially PTSD and<br />
Complex Trauma, I understood that while <strong>the</strong>ir psychotic ep<strong>is</strong>odes may have been triggered by a<br />
memory, thought or submersed cognition, <strong>the</strong>re were also physiological implications. Remember<br />
<strong>the</strong> mind and <strong>the</strong> body are a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same system, and <strong>the</strong>refore, <strong>the</strong>y do not operate<br />
independently <strong>of</strong> one ano<strong>the</strong>r. Enter <strong>the</strong> world <strong>of</strong> neuroscience.<br />
The Reticular Activating System<br />
As we have d<strong>is</strong>cussed throughout th<strong>is</strong> work, we are cons<strong>is</strong>tently creating our future. We do th<strong>is</strong><br />
through what we think about cons<strong>is</strong>tently, which impacts our beliefs, feelings, values, actions,<br />
goals, v<strong>is</strong>ions and dreams. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> being done despite your level <strong>of</strong> consciousness. Ultimately, it<br />
<strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> programming <strong>of</strong> your subconscious mind that dictates <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> your life.<br />
In my book Renewing <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Mind</strong>: The Dynamics <strong>of</strong> Transformation, I point out how <strong>the</strong><br />
conscious mind works with <strong>the</strong> subconscious to develop beliefs that serve to form paradigms that<br />
will be used to decipher and interpret every occurrence and event in our lives. While <strong>the</strong> primary<br />
audience for th<strong>is</strong> book were Chr<strong>is</strong>tians, <strong>the</strong> book <strong>is</strong> written in context, so that anyone who wanted<br />
to learn <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> thought and how it works in <strong>the</strong>ir lives could do so.<br />
So, where do psychology and neurology meet and merge? We understand that our subconscious<br />
<strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> catalyst that prompts activity, reaction and responses to <strong>the</strong> external stimuli associated with<br />
everyday life, but how does <strong>the</strong> conscious mind and <strong>the</strong> subconscious mind work toge<strong>the</strong>r? The<br />
conscious mind <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> perspective lobe <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soul. It <strong>is</strong> through <strong>the</strong> conscious mind that<br />
information <strong>is</strong> perceived, evaluated and given a level <strong>of</strong> relevance.
While most people give more gravity to <strong>the</strong>ir conscious mind and <strong>the</strong> thoughts it produces, <strong>the</strong><br />
average human can have as many as 50,000 to 60,000 thoughts in a single day, with <strong>the</strong> vast<br />
majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se thoughts originated in <strong>the</strong> subconscious.<br />
While everyone who reads th<strong>is</strong> will not be religious, most will be familiar with certain verbiage<br />
used in <strong>the</strong> Bible. I want to use <strong>the</strong>se familiar terms to explain how <strong>the</strong> mind works, and maybe<br />
in <strong>the</strong> process, add context to many familiar quotes that have been extracted from religious<br />
writings without possessing a lucid understanding <strong>of</strong> its implications.<br />
Cons<strong>is</strong>tently, <strong>the</strong> Bible uses <strong>the</strong> terms “heart” and “mind” as if <strong>the</strong>y were synonymous. In<br />
essence, <strong>the</strong>re are very closely related. In <strong>the</strong> Bible, <strong>the</strong> Greek word “kardia,” translated “heart,”<br />
refers to <strong>the</strong> right lobe <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soul, or as we refer to it now, <strong>the</strong> subconscious. The Greek word<br />
“nous,” refers to <strong>the</strong> conscious mind, <strong>the</strong> perceptive lobe <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soul — <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mind<br />
through which most information enters and <strong>is</strong> analyzed, evaluated and given a level <strong>of</strong> relevance.<br />
Once information enters <strong>the</strong> conscious it <strong>is</strong> filtered down into <strong>the</strong> subconscious through a<br />
biological process by way <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Reticular Activating System or RAS. The RAS serves as a filter<br />
that identifies what <strong>is</strong> important to <strong>the</strong> conscious mind and relays that to <strong>the</strong> subconscious, which<br />
in turn places a certain priority on it.<br />
Have you ever seen a car or a shirt for <strong>the</strong> first time, and you said to yourself that you had to<br />
have it, <strong>the</strong>n all <strong>of</strong> a sudden every time you looked up you saw it? Well, that was your RAS at<br />
work. The moment you associate significance and intent with an idea, <strong>the</strong> RAS informs your<br />
subconscious to be on <strong>the</strong> lookout for it, highlighting it and creating a path to it. What I should<br />
warn against here <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> idea that <strong>the</strong> only way to apply significance to an idea or thought <strong>is</strong><br />
through <strong>the</strong> conscious mind’s assessment. The subconscious also assesses volume. Anything you<br />
expose your mind to on a regular bas<strong>is</strong> will automatically be considered relevant, whe<strong>the</strong>r you<br />
consciously assess it as such or not. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> why you are warned to guard your gates, or as <strong>the</strong><br />
Bible says, guard your heart and mind.<br />
The subconscious does not even recognize negative and positive assessments in a manner in<br />
which you might think it would. What I mean by th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> that <strong>the</strong> subconscious mind does not care<br />
that you don’t want to lose your job, it only notices that you continuously focus your thoughts on<br />
losing your job, so it begins to produce behavior, such as anxiety, worry, stress, a suspicious<br />
nature and more —subsequently leading to you losing your job. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> why I teach my clients<br />
not to focus on what <strong>the</strong>y don’t want, but what <strong>the</strong>y do want. If what you want <strong>is</strong> diametrically<br />
opposed to what you do not want, you do not have to entertain <strong>the</strong> thoughts <strong>of</strong> what you do not<br />
want; focusing on what you want will automatically produce <strong>the</strong> desired results on both sides.<br />
To gain a more detailed perspicacity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> left and right lobes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soul (conscious and<br />
subconscious mind), read Renewing <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Mind</strong>: The Dynamics <strong>of</strong> Transformation.<br />
The RAS <strong>is</strong> a biological mechan<strong>is</strong>m, meaning that unlike <strong>the</strong> conscious and subconscious mind,<br />
it <strong>is</strong> natural and organic, ex<strong>is</strong>ting at <strong>the</strong> core <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> brain stem. Th<strong>is</strong> filtering system ensures that<br />
<strong>the</strong> thoughts you consciously entertain will be filtered down into <strong>the</strong> subconscious in <strong>the</strong> order <strong>of</strong><br />
importance you ascribe to <strong>the</strong>m, only to manifest <strong>the</strong>mselves in habits, actions and values at a<br />
future time.
The Power <strong>of</strong> Intent to Change <strong>Your</strong> Life<br />
Now, let’s take a look at how a person has <strong>the</strong> power to take even greater control over how <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
thoughts will form <strong>the</strong> focus <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir subconscious in order to create an even greater sense <strong>of</strong><br />
purpose and direction in <strong>the</strong>ir life. While it <strong>is</strong> great to focus on <strong>the</strong> positive, and to avoid negative<br />
stimuli, we are still leaving our subconscious to perform an enormous amount <strong>of</strong> work in <strong>the</strong> area<br />
<strong>of</strong> deciphering, translating and interpreting <strong>the</strong> information that it receives. So, how do we<br />
become more specific with <strong>the</strong> information we feed it? One word — intent!<br />
Establ<strong>is</strong>hing your intent <strong>is</strong> vital to turning your subconscious mind into a catalyst for change and<br />
progression through <strong>the</strong> attainment <strong>of</strong> specified goals. Establ<strong>is</strong>hing intent changes your<br />
perception <strong>of</strong> a specific reality, and it also changes your expectation as to your relationship to<br />
that reality and dream. Before moving forward, it <strong>is</strong> w<strong>is</strong>e that we establ<strong>is</strong>h a clear definition <strong>of</strong><br />
what <strong>is</strong> meant by <strong>the</strong> term intent. According to <strong>the</strong> Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, <strong>the</strong><br />
word “intent” <strong>is</strong> a derivative <strong>of</strong> “intend,” which carries <strong>the</strong> meaning <strong>of</strong> directing <strong>the</strong> mind to take<br />
a specified course toward <strong>the</strong> achievement <strong>of</strong> a particular goal. Don’t allow <strong>the</strong> term “goal” to<br />
confuse you. Anytime that you make a dec<strong>is</strong>ion to take a specific action to accompl<strong>is</strong>h anything,<br />
<strong>the</strong> end result <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> ultimate “goal.” If you decide to go to <strong>the</strong> kitchen to get a glass <strong>of</strong> water, you<br />
have set your intent on <strong>the</strong> goal <strong>of</strong> having a glass <strong>of</strong> water, and you have instructed your mind to<br />
order <strong>the</strong> activity necessary for that to happen. The word “intend,” from which <strong>the</strong> word “intent”<br />
<strong>is</strong> derived originates from <strong>the</strong> Latin word “intendere,” which means “to stretch towards.”<br />
Allow me to explain how th<strong>is</strong> works, fur<strong>the</strong>r elucidating <strong>the</strong> fact that your thoughts are <strong>the</strong><br />
driving force in <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> your reality.<br />
The moment you establ<strong>is</strong>h your intent, you are giving specific instructions to your RAS to place<br />
great emphas<strong>is</strong> on stretching toward that specific goal or future aspiration. Here <strong>is</strong> something that<br />
<strong>is</strong> also beneficial in <strong>the</strong> process that <strong>is</strong> paramount to optimizing <strong>the</strong> life experience. Our minds<br />
are inherently geared to allow us not only to enjoy and celebrate <strong>the</strong> reaching <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> goals and<br />
realities that we create, but to enjoy <strong>the</strong> journey and <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> getting <strong>the</strong>re. In fact, it <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
journey and process that carries <strong>the</strong> greatest sense <strong>of</strong> enjoyment and progress. Think about it for<br />
a moment. Life <strong>is</strong> a journey through which you are a progressing from one stage to ano<strong>the</strong>r, but<br />
reaching a goal or new stage <strong>is</strong> simply an event in time. Once you reach one goal, you celebrate<br />
<strong>the</strong> accompl<strong>is</strong>hment and you set ano<strong>the</strong>r, and you begin <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> progressing toward that<br />
next goal.<br />
When we understand th<strong>is</strong> dynamic, it <strong>is</strong> easy for us to see that we spend way more time in <strong>the</strong><br />
process <strong>of</strong> progression than we do in <strong>the</strong> actual achievement <strong>of</strong> a specific goal. The progress <strong>is</strong> a<br />
part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> journey, and <strong>the</strong> goal <strong>is</strong> simply an event that signifies reaching a milestone.<br />
Fortunately, we are designed to enjoy <strong>the</strong> process. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most invigorating and encouraging<br />
things we experience in life <strong>is</strong> progress. Progress <strong>is</strong> what defines success. When you understand<br />
th<strong>is</strong>, you will be able to find a reason to celebrate and enjoy every day <strong>of</strong> your life — not just<br />
those moments in which you reach a certain goal.<br />
To gain an understanding <strong>of</strong> how powerful <strong>the</strong> force <strong>of</strong> intent <strong>is</strong> in setting <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> your life,<br />
or creating new realities, read each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> following sentences out loud.
I hope that I have fun on my date tonight. (It <strong>is</strong> important that you take notice <strong>of</strong> how your mind<br />
<strong>is</strong> literally forming images <strong>of</strong> what you are reading as you read. These images may be<br />
accompanied by voices and even feelings. It <strong>is</strong> amazing that a thought created by nine simple<br />
words can stir so much within <strong>the</strong> mind.)<br />
I want to have fun on my date tonight. (Notice that <strong>the</strong> images, voices and feelings produced in<br />
th<strong>is</strong> instance are different from <strong>the</strong> ones produced by <strong>the</strong> first sentence.)<br />
I intend to have fun on my date tonight. (Again, <strong>the</strong> images, voices and feelings produced by<br />
reading th<strong>is</strong> sentence <strong>is</strong> different than those produced by reading <strong>the</strong> first two sentences.)<br />
What you have just experienced <strong>is</strong> a crash course in <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> your words to form thoughts<br />
that impact how you experience life. Words change direction, focus, perception, engagement and<br />
more. In <strong>the</strong> average person, reading <strong>the</strong> first sentence would produce a significant amount <strong>of</strong><br />
uncertainty. While <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> an expression <strong>of</strong> hope, <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> very little in <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> participation<br />
and direct engagement. Th<strong>is</strong> sentence leaves far too much to external mechan<strong>is</strong>ms. The first<br />
sentence presents images <strong>of</strong> multiple possibilities <strong>of</strong> how <strong>the</strong> date could go, with having fun only<br />
being one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
The second picture produces a different image — an image <strong>of</strong> what you exactly desire. The<br />
problem with th<strong>is</strong> sentence <strong>is</strong> that it still does not create a high enough level <strong>of</strong> certainty that<br />
what <strong>is</strong> desired can be obtained. Finally, <strong>the</strong> third sentence establ<strong>is</strong>hes intent, which identifies a<br />
specific goal and sets in motion a perception and behavior that <strong>is</strong> most likely to produce <strong>the</strong><br />
desired goal. When you establ<strong>is</strong>h intent, you make yourself a participant in your life. It <strong>is</strong> when<br />
you set intent that you stop believing that life <strong>is</strong> happening to you, and you gain an understanding<br />
that life <strong>is</strong> simply responding to your intent or <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong>. When you establ<strong>is</strong>h intent, your<br />
subconscious promotes and encourages proactive behavior that will produce <strong>the</strong> desired result.<br />
Intent will also set your expectations which serve to establ<strong>is</strong>h <strong>the</strong> limitations <strong>of</strong> what can be<br />
achieved. Remember, <strong>the</strong> universe will only meet you at <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> your expectations.<br />
Establ<strong>is</strong>hing intent <strong>is</strong> an action that subsequently creates an interconnectivity between <strong>the</strong><br />
subconscious mind and your conscious will for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> achieving a specific result. In<br />
essence, a message <strong>is</strong> being sent to <strong>the</strong> RAS to declare that you expect a certain thing to happen,<br />
which immediately places a high priority and emphas<strong>is</strong> on achieving that result. From th<strong>is</strong> point<br />
moving forward, your subconscious and your conscious will work in harmony to achieve <strong>the</strong><br />
specified goal.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> most purest <strong>of</strong> “states,” setting intent through thought and words literally has <strong>the</strong> power to<br />
heal a person hol<strong>is</strong>tically — mind, emotions, body and spirit. Th<strong>is</strong> type <strong>of</strong> powerful and pure<br />
state <strong>is</strong> achievable, but it requires intent and commitment to <strong>the</strong> process. There are people who<br />
live in such pure states that <strong>the</strong>y are able to experience life at a level that most people cannot<br />
even fathom, and it <strong>is</strong> all possible for anyone reading th<strong>is</strong> report.<br />
So, how does changing a simple thought literally end up changing your reality. Well, think <strong>of</strong><br />
th<strong>is</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> thought and mind as a system — a microsystem operating inside <strong>of</strong> a much larger<br />
system. Now, env<strong>is</strong>ion an interconnectivity within and throughout all systems involved, in which
any event within <strong>the</strong> system will have an impact on <strong>the</strong> system as a whole. Think <strong>of</strong> your<br />
computer, which <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> combination <strong>of</strong> hardware, an operating system and s<strong>of</strong>tware. Should<br />
something happen to ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se primary systems, it will impact <strong>the</strong> functionality <strong>of</strong> all three.<br />
Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> how our thinking works in our lives.<br />
“When <strong>the</strong> phenomenon <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> universe <strong>is</strong> seen as linked toge<strong>the</strong>r by cause and effect and energy<br />
transfer, <strong>the</strong> resulting picture <strong>is</strong> <strong>of</strong> a complexly branching and interconnecting chain <strong>of</strong> events. In<br />
certain regions <strong>of</strong> th<strong>is</strong> universe (notably organ<strong>is</strong>ms in environments, ecosystems, societies and<br />
computers), <strong>the</strong>se chains <strong>of</strong> relating events form circuits which are closed, in <strong>the</strong> sense that<br />
causal interconnection can be traced around <strong>the</strong> circuit and back through to whatever position we<br />
chose as <strong>the</strong> starting point <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> description. In such a circuit, events at any position within <strong>the</strong><br />
circuit may be expected to have an effect on all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> positions at later times.” (Steps to Ecology<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mind</strong>, Gregory Bateson)<br />
In simple, a shift in thought and intent creates an inevitable shift in future results. When you<br />
establ<strong>is</strong>h your intent you are creating <strong>the</strong> blueprint for a new reality in <strong>the</strong> future. Setting your<br />
intent <strong>is</strong> a method that focusing your conscious energy in a manner that identifies a specific goal,<br />
places a particular emphas<strong>is</strong> and priority on it, and <strong>the</strong>n communicates it to <strong>the</strong> RAS, which<br />
ensures that <strong>the</strong>n focuses <strong>the</strong> subconscious on encouraging future thoughts and behavior on<br />
achieving <strong>the</strong> desired result.<br />
Therefore, reaching a desired goal <strong>is</strong> not about magic or mystic<strong>is</strong>m, but about <strong>the</strong> focusing <strong>of</strong><br />
spiritual, mental and emotional energy toward a particular goal with specified intent, initiating a<br />
certain cause that will produce a certain effect. It <strong>is</strong> about operating within a system <strong>of</strong><br />
interconnectivity in which your thoughts become <strong>the</strong> blueprint <strong>of</strong> your reality. <strong>Your</strong> thoughts are<br />
<strong>the</strong> core cause <strong>of</strong> every effect that presents itself as a part <strong>of</strong> your reality. You are <strong>the</strong> granddesigner<br />
<strong>of</strong> your ultimate destiny. The conscious and subconscious mind are co-ex<strong>is</strong>ting forces<br />
that ex<strong>is</strong>t and function in a much larger system that some define as life or reality. How we<br />
experience life <strong>is</strong> dependent upon how we use our thoughts to create th<strong>is</strong> life or reality for<br />
ourselves. We will find that <strong>the</strong> more power we surrender to external forces and circumstance,<br />
<strong>the</strong> more m<strong>is</strong>erable and unfulfilling life will be.<br />
Our thoughts and behavior have a direct impact on our reality — how we experience life. The<br />
establ<strong>is</strong>hing <strong>of</strong> intent allows us to influence both, our inner and outer reality in a manner that<br />
triggers a chain <strong>of</strong> events that can completely d<strong>is</strong>rupt <strong>the</strong> current reality and introduce and sustain<br />
a better and more enjoyable one. Life was never meant to be left to chance, it was meant to be<br />
orchestrated with great specificity, through our thoughts and intents.<br />
Because all systems <strong>of</strong> reality are interconnected, when you establ<strong>is</strong>h <strong>the</strong> intent to achieve<br />
something positive in <strong>the</strong> future, you are not only communicating th<strong>is</strong> message to your RAS and<br />
subconscious, but you are also sending a clear message to <strong>the</strong> greater system as a whole — <strong>the</strong><br />
universe — that you will be achieving th<strong>is</strong> reality.<br />
Following are four steps that you can take to begin <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> establ<strong>is</strong>hing intent in your life.<br />
Remember, <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> nothing too insignificant not to apply th<strong>is</strong> concept to. Everything you think<br />
and do matters.
Identify <strong>the</strong> event or goal that you w<strong>is</strong>h to set a specific intent for.<br />
Establ<strong>is</strong>h <strong>the</strong> intent that you want in <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> experience during <strong>the</strong> process, as well as <strong>the</strong><br />
ultimate goal. Remember, specificity in what you are focusing on and what you want <strong>the</strong> end<br />
results to be <strong>is</strong> important. For instance, if you are focusing on changing your financial situation,<br />
you shouldn’t establ<strong>is</strong>h an intent that simply states you want to improve your financial status, or<br />
you want to be financially free; you must attach a specific number or dollar amount to <strong>the</strong> intent.<br />
It helps with <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> v<strong>is</strong>ualization and clarity <strong>of</strong> intent and purpose.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> instance that <strong>the</strong>re may be o<strong>the</strong>r people involved, you must understand that you don’t<br />
control <strong>the</strong>ir behavior; however, you do have <strong>the</strong> ability to control how you engage <strong>the</strong>m, how<br />
you interpret <strong>the</strong>ir behavior, and how you respond to it. Determine what you desire to achieve by<br />
engaging <strong>the</strong> people involved. Will <strong>the</strong> encounter be casual, pr<strong>of</strong>essional, mutually beneficial,<br />
etc.? Be as specific as possible in determining exactly what you want to come out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
relationship with an individual.<br />
Be sure to create imagery. Make it a practice <strong>of</strong> playing out what you want to happen in your<br />
mind. Allow it to play out like a movie trailer or feature film. Th<strong>is</strong> allows you to experience <strong>the</strong><br />
reality that you are looking for before actually achieving it — reinforcing your belief that you<br />
will have it — subsequently improving your physical, spiritual, mental and emotional posture<br />
toward <strong>the</strong> situation. In essence, placing you in <strong>the</strong> best “state” to receive what you desire.<br />
Make no m<strong>is</strong>take about it, you are <strong>the</strong> catalyst <strong>of</strong> your destiny. Whe<strong>the</strong>r you are actively<br />
participating in it or passively observing from <strong>the</strong> sideline, it <strong>is</strong> your thoughts that are producing<br />
your reality. The moment that you decide to become actively involved in <strong>the</strong> orchestration <strong>of</strong><br />
your life, you will wake up to an entirely different world — a world that folds into your<br />
expectations instead <strong>of</strong> overwhelming you with frustration, anxiety and stress. You find that<br />
when you set your intent to have anything or worth, value and positive force, <strong>the</strong> universe will<br />
literally conspire on your behalf to bring it to you.<br />
I cons<strong>is</strong>tently tell my client that <strong>the</strong> only limits that you have are <strong>the</strong> ones that you accept with<br />
your mind. You were born with infinite potential coursing through your veins, a capacity to<br />
dream and env<strong>is</strong>ion <strong>the</strong> unimaginable and <strong>the</strong>n bring it into <strong>the</strong> realm <strong>of</strong> reality; however, life <strong>is</strong><br />
filled with influences that can negatively impact your natural capacity to dream and achieve.<br />
Maybe it <strong>is</strong> childhood experiences through which you were cons<strong>is</strong>tently told that you couldn’t do<br />
anything. Or maybe it was someone you gave a great deal <strong>of</strong> authority in your life who<br />
establ<strong>is</strong>hed boundaries that limited you. Whatever you have encountered in life that has altered<br />
your course toward achieving <strong>the</strong> exceptional, <strong>the</strong> extraordinary and <strong>the</strong> phenomenal, please<br />
understand that you have <strong>the</strong> power to reclaim your right and capacity to dream, and that you still<br />
have <strong>the</strong> innate power to usher those dreams into <strong>the</strong> realm <strong>of</strong> reality.<br />
<strong>Your</strong> thoughts are cons<strong>is</strong>tently creating your future reality, I invite you to change your thinking<br />
and subsequently change your future. ~ Rick Wallace, Ph.D., Psy.D.<br />
About <strong>the</strong> Author
Rick Wallace, Ph.D., Psy.D. <strong>is</strong> a leading life strateg<strong>is</strong>t and business strateg<strong>is</strong>t that works with<br />
people from all backgrounds and walks <strong>of</strong> life in order to help <strong>the</strong>m experience life at an optimal<br />
level in every area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir ex<strong>is</strong>tence. Dr. Wallace has written and publ<strong>is</strong>hed more than 18 books,<br />
countless articles and studies on <strong>the</strong> human experience, personal performance, overcoming<br />
trauma, relationship mastery, business performance and more.<br />
Dr. Wallace <strong>is</strong> also <strong>the</strong> founder and director <strong>of</strong> The V<strong>is</strong>ionetics Institute, which <strong>is</strong> where he<br />
continues to expand, define and refine h<strong>is</strong> personal performance concept that he calls<br />
V<strong>is</strong>ionetics. The V<strong>is</strong>ionetics concept involves <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> expanding “individual capacity” by<br />
changing a person’s v<strong>is</strong>ion — perceptively and introspectively. What th<strong>is</strong> means <strong>is</strong> that The<br />
V<strong>is</strong>ionetics Institute helps people change how <strong>the</strong>y see <strong>the</strong>mselves, o<strong>the</strong>rs, <strong>the</strong>ir circumstances,<br />
life (in specific and in general) and <strong>the</strong> world at large — allowing <strong>the</strong>m to move from victim to<br />
winner, from a person who believes that life <strong>is</strong> happening to <strong>the</strong>m to one who understands that<br />
life <strong>is</strong> responding to <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
It <strong>is</strong> Dr. Wallace’s philosophy that when a person changes <strong>the</strong>ir v<strong>is</strong>ion, <strong>the</strong>y change everything<br />
associated with it. Thoughts function as a system that operates inside <strong>of</strong> a larger system that <strong>is</strong><br />
interconnected, so that one event within <strong>the</strong> system, especially at its point <strong>of</strong> origin, changes<br />
everything within <strong>the</strong> system. In <strong>the</strong> V<strong>is</strong>ionetics system, <strong>the</strong> origin <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> system <strong>is</strong> “thought.”<br />
So, when you change your thinking, you change your life. Basically, when a person changes<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir thought patterns, <strong>the</strong>y change <strong>the</strong>ir self-image, self-esteem, self-awareness, confidence<br />
level, personal expectations, direction, mentality, temperament, and so much more — it all<br />
begins with thoughts.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r Titles by Dr. Rick Wallace<br />
The Inv<strong>is</strong>ible Fa<strong>the</strong>r: Reversing <strong>the</strong> Curse <strong>of</strong> a Fa<strong>the</strong>rless Generation<br />
When <strong>Your</strong> House <strong>is</strong> Not a Home (A book on resolving conflict within <strong>the</strong> marriage and be<br />
prepared and adequately equipped for marriage before entering it.)<br />
Renewing <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Mind</strong>: The Dynamics <strong>of</strong> Transformation (A great book to help understand how<br />
<strong>the</strong> conscious and subconscious mind work toge<strong>the</strong>r to dictate life.)<br />
Living Life at <strong>the</strong> Next Level: Learning to Live Life at <strong>the</strong> Level <strong>of</strong> <strong>Your</strong> Design<br />
Achieving Optimal Health for Lifelong Success: A Guide to Optimal Health — The Power <strong>of</strong><br />
Psychosomatics<br />
Epigenetics in Psychology: The Genetic Intergenerational Transm<strong>is</strong>sion <strong>of</strong> Trauma in African<br />
Americans<br />
Programs & Courses<br />
The Elevation & Empowerment Course <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> flagship program for The V<strong>is</strong>ionetics Institute<br />
Dr. Wallace also does 1-on-1 Virtual Life Coaching in a less intensive approach that with <strong>the</strong><br />
Elevation & Empowerment Course
Next Level University <strong>is</strong> a great way for people to enroll in different online and digital courses<br />
created by Dr. Wallace as well as participate in daily and weekly events, including a weekly<br />
video conference with Dr. Wallace and o<strong>the</strong>r students & members.<br />
Connect with Dr. Rick Wallace<br />
V<strong>is</strong>it <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial website for The V<strong>is</strong>ionetics Institute at www.rickwallacephd.link<br />
To contact Dr. Wallace, email The V<strong>is</strong>ionetics Institute at LifeChange@rickwallacephd.link