I have long struggled with the view that all you have to do is manifest what you want and then you get it. Ask the Universe in the right way and you shall receive. There are a number of reasons why I have issues with this. For starters it feels hugely narcissistic; why should the universe care if I get rich or not, or get that job or not, or meet that dream partner or not? I have even heard someone ask the Universe for a parking space outside their front door, and then expect to get it. Surely the Universe has better things to do, what with all those people suffering in the world, who every moment of the day and night are crying out for help? It simply does not seem credible that if I just think a certain way then things will just turn out a certain way. “Hang on!” I hear you say. “Are you telling me that our thoughts aren’t powerful, that we can’t affect change in our lives through the ways we think?” NO! In fact quite the reverse.
1. Optimistic people tend to live longer and enjoy better health.
2. Believing in your own capabilities is associated with career success.
3. Reminding yourself of your achievements and values can boost self-esteem and reduce stress.
4. Being grateful for what you have is good for your mental health.
5. Perceiving threat as an opportunity can enable you to do more.
6. Setting clear goals allows you something to aim for, and when you have something to aim for then you can plan your trajectory to the target.
BUT….
Simply manifesting and waiting for the universe to deliver is surely magic thinking. And what if you are manifesting for something that lives outside the realms of possibility? You know, I will never, no matter how much I visualise it, be romantically linked to Barack Obama. Much as I would love to be! (Apologies husband.) I am doomed to be disappointed if I rely on manifestation alone.
I am a Life Coach and a Neuro- Linguistic Practitioner. I use visualisation, goal setting, positive language, the power of the mind, daily in my work. if we look for opportunities we can find them. If we shift our patterns of thinking we can be liberated from self-limiting beliefs. We can achieve so much more than we think we are capable of. Not through waiting for the Universe to rescue us, but through us consciously setting goals, working out the obstacles, finding strategies for overcoming the obstacles so that we can enjoy our potential and lead happier lives.