Thoughts to Ponder

“Anything you give your attention to will become your ‘truth’.”

Esther and Jerry Hicks*

This sentence seems contrary to what many of us believe about how the world operates. Yet, if we look at those who have become big earners or achieved acclaim, we know that statement is true.

When I was growing up, the mantra in my extended family was that rich people are either born that way or cheated to get to the top. As a young person I had great dreams of doing work that helped others and gave me prosperity and adventure. It never happened.

I had an opportunity to travel with my military husband and enjoy the many places we visited. Then when I was on my own, I sometimes felt that I had an adequate income and could occasionally go out to dinner and a movie or even a weekend getaway. Eventually, the tide turned, and I was again struggling to pay bills. Thoughts of dinner and a movie were beyond my grasp.

Over the past few months I have been in the depths of mental and physical distress and wanting to get better. To that end, a few weeks ago, I reread Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks. This book, as well as their others, is channeled through an entity called Abraham. You may have heard the authors referred to as Abraham-Hicks.

I was ready to receive the message. I read “You only hear what you are ready to hear,”** and “…if you are predominately thinking about what you do not want, your life reflects those things.”*** So true, I was focused on monetary lack and physical illness. Then, I came to this sentence, “…if your decision is to reach for the best feeling thought that you have access to, that decision can be easily achieved.”**** This reminded me that I’ve heard Esther Hicks say many times, on tape and video, “Reach for the NEXT best feeling thought.”

Wow! Eureka! I’ve been doing this all wrong. I’ve been dreaming of trips to exotic places, living in a nicer house, driving a sportier car, etc. I need to focus on the NEXT step. When I accomplish that I can take another step.

Immediately, I set smaller, reachable goals: Today I will have more energy and accomplish a task that has been waiting to be done and annoying me that it hasn’t done itself. The next day I can do another long-neglected task. It worked. My work at Busch Gardens has recently restarted. I have the energy and a fun attitude to interact with the visitors. Also, I wrote this short essay, the first in many months.

One Sunday when I was a child, my dad and the other men were putting away chairs after a church gathering. Each of the men carried four folding chairs. I tried to carry two but couldn’t control them. Dad came to my rescue and said, “One chair for beginners.” Now that I’m much older, I realize one chair is equal to one step in building my confidence and allowing my next best feeling thought to grow. The thought I must focus on is “one thing at a time,” or as all the 12-Step programs teach, “One day at a time.”

Only when I feel like I’m ready for the next step can I start to plan for it. Right now, in addition to boosting my energy and enjoying work, I’m beginning to sketch out ideas for a walk around Colonial Williamsburg and maybe even get a Good Neighbor Pass. After that I can choose to drive to Newport News or Hampton and enjoy their lovely parks.

I’m asking my friends to watch my actions and words. If I start planning a trip to Hawaii before I get to Newport News, please remind me to focus on the NEXT good feeling thought.

• Hicks, Esther and Jerry, Ask and It Is Given, pg. 56, Hay House, Inc, 2004
• ** ibid, pg 5
• *** ibid, pg 27
• **** ibid pg.92