Recently there has been so much attention around a new DVD / program called “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, which shares a principle called “the law of attraction” and its power to change your life. Simply, the principle states that the energy you put out into the world is the energy you will get back in your own life, whether positive or negative. This is a law; an established principle that will work every time for everyone who applies it. The law of attraction can work for you or against you and you are the only one who is responsible for the outcome, whether good or bad.

But this is not something new. Since ancient times we have known the power of words and that “as a man thinks in his heart so is he.” (Book of Proverbs). Many teachers, including Joyce Meyer and Wayne Dyer, teach that “where the mind goes the man will follow” and on the power of meditation. For example, if I think about a hot fudge sundae long enough, I will end up getting a hot fudge sundae!

You create your world with your words. In the “restaurant of the universe”, our conscious and unconscious words and thoughts are continuously placing orders for us. If you say, “I'll never have a great relationship”, get ready, you probably never will. When you and I say things like, “I can't stand this job”, “my child will never change” or “I will always struggle to lose this weight”, we are writing the script of our destiny, and believe it or not, we are authoring the very result that we will surely have.

Life is simply a series of decisions. According to Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, the “anatomy of life” is comprised of eight levels:

1. Words ? 2. Thoughts ? 3. Feelings ? 4. Decisions ? 5. Actions ? 6. Habits ? 7. Character ? 8. Destination

You words affect your thoughts. Your thoughts affect how you feel (your emotions). Your feelings affect your decisions. Your decisions are the basis for your actions. Your actions (what you do), form your habits. (Remember that you form your habits and then your habits form you!)

Your habits determine your character (personality) and your character determines your destination, that is, where you are today.

Here is the question(s) you and I are to continuously ask ourselves: Where is my life today? Am I happy with where I am at? If you are happy where you are, give thanks and ask GOD to show you any areas you can come up higher in.

For the majority of us however, if we are honest, will find that we are not happy with where our life is today. You want to change your life but you don't know where to start. Maybe it is in the area of physical discipline: you want to get in shape, quit smoking or get out of debt. Or maybe you want to change your attitude towards a certain person or situation in your life. Maybe you want a better job, have a successful relationship or become a more patient person. Whatever it is that you desire you can have it by backtracking !

Backtracking allows you to get to the root of a problem, one step at a time. If you aren't happy with where you are (your destination) go back one level and look at your character. Not happy with your character then change your habits. Not happy with your habits then change your actions. Don't like your actions, change your decisions. If you don't like your decisions change your feelings. If you don't like your feelings, change your thoughts. If you don't like your thoughts, CHANGE YOUR WORDS .

Getting to the root is hard, dirty work but it must be done if we are to change. How many times have you struggled trying to change yourself, failed, felt defeated and ended up quitting? I've done it a million times and catch myself still doing it.  This time, before you go trying to alter your habits take time to backtrack and get to the root. What are you saying out of your mouth? What are you thinking in your head? You are the architect of your future and your words, whether positive or negative are the foundation bricks on which your entire life is being built. You have been given authority to build whatever structure you wish. Be determined to build the kind of life that is happy and free. How?

(Of course you knew that I would break it down and give you a homework assignment! J )

1. Ask yourself: what do I want?
2. Use your words to place an order ! (Be humble now; GOD is not a waiter!) Make sure that your request lines up with the WORD of GOD. That means, ask for things that you know are in GOD's will and ask with a good motive.
3. Believe that the order you have placed has been taken and is on its way to you.
4. To the best of your daily abilities, begin lining up your thoughts and decisions with your new words.

Remember that the power of life or death is in the tongue; YOUR tongue! Stop saying what you have and start saying what you want. Speak the right words and get ready to watch your life change, for better or for worse – the choice is yours! Now you know the secret of life!

Past Newsletters:

July 24 - Learn to Slow Down

July 31 - Get Motivated

August 7 - Fire up your Metabolism!

August 21 - Code Red - Stress Alert

September 4 - 6 Real Ways to De-stress!

September 18 - All Carbs Are Not Created Equal!

October 2, 2006 – Is Your Protein Powerful Or Pitiful?

October 16, 2006 – Fat: Fact or Fiction?

November 13, 2006 - 5 Life-Changing Principles of Eating

November 29, 2006 – Reprogram Yourself For 2007

December 11, 2006 – Make IT Doable & You Will Do It!

January 8, 2007 – Count it ALL…Joy!

January 22, 2007 – Tri Something New!

February 5, 2007 – The Power of a “Meaningful” Touch!

February 19, 2007 – The Anatomy Of Life!