What we focus on in life, expands, and will continue to expand. So, the lesson here is to focus or concentrate on only the positive things in life.
I borrowed this quote from Andrew Matthews who used it in one of my all-time favorite books: “Follow Your Heart.” His little book is a gem because it is written so simply and illustrated with his wonderful cartoons to capture these life lessons with humor and common sense.
I have learned from recent personal experience that to lead a life of purpose and contribution, we must control our thinking. I urge everyone to start such a practice on Monday morning, which is always a good place to start any new habit. Begin to concentrate on abundance, wealth, good health, kindness, compassion, beauty, and all good things. Such a daily practice will begin to affect your life almost immediately.
Five More Quotes To Make The Point
Here are five more quotes to reinforce the point made by Mr. Matthews:
“The way out of a negative feeling is a positive decision, followed by action.”—Dr. Patricia Allen
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”—Antoine Saint-Exupery
“You find what you look for: good or evil, problems or solutions.”—Sir John Marks Templeton
“Beware of your thoughts, for they become your words. Beware of your words, for they become your habits. Beware of your habits, for they become your character. Beware of your character, for it becomes your destiny.”—Lao Tzu
“The secret of life then is to control your mental state, for if you do this, the rest will follow. To accept sickness, trouble, and failure as unavoidable, and perhaps inevitable, is folly, because it is this very acceptance by you that keeps these evils in existence. Man is not limited by his environment. He creates his environment by his beliefs and feelings. To suppose otherwise is like thinking that the tail can wag the dog.”—Emmet Fox
