Monday, August 24, 2015

Power of Positive Thinking


Chance or Destiny, God or Fate? 
Jim Pinto poem, December 2010

All my life, I’ve had what many people call “luck”. I consider it simply a combination of hard work and positive thinking, always being open for good possibilities and being bold enough to pursue the plethora of prospects that life always presents.

When bad things happen, I try not to waste energy on complaining, but focus on correcting the problem quickly. When I find something good, I seldom consider waiting for better things to come along. I simply hit the ball as hard as I can. And most often, it works! People call it “luck” – but it isn’t. It’s finding what you want and going for it!

I’ve been brewing on this subject for some time. When I explain that positive thinking always generates good “luck”, some consider my ideas “woo-woo” (as one friend calls them). As a rational engineer, I’ve kept looking for solid, scientific arguments regarding how and why this happens, but with no rational results.

On this subject, there is very little tangible proof – till you dig specifically for it. The very act of researching with an open mind yields lots of ideas. Rather than wait and continue to flail around further, I decided to take the leap and write this essay.

I know that simply presenting the ideas rationally will itself yield further opportunities for growth and success. In addition, I recognize and am grateful that many friends and blog-readers will surely come forward with their own specific views, which will help expand our mutual understandings.

Positive Mental Attitude

Positive mental attitude (PMA) is the philosophy that having an optimistic disposition in every situation in one's life attracts positive changes and increases achievement. Positive people continue to seek, find and execute ways to win, or find a desirable outcome, regardless of the circumstances. (1)

Many studies have been done regarding PMA and its effects on health. It’s well recognized that people with serious illnesses have a significantly higher chance of survival and recovery if they have PMA. (2)

Critics of PMA argue that it is simply a by-product of success. Cynics accuse positive people of wishful thinking. My own view is that positive people are quite capable of understanding cynical reality. They just change their mindset to experience that reality from a different perspective. In my view, it certainly helps and never hurts.

A positive mental attitude does indeed change reality by allowing people to act in an entirely different way, getting entirely different results from the people around them and from themselves.

Self-actualization

Psychologist Abraham Maslow wrote that the basic needs of humans must be met (e.g. food, shelter, warmth, security, sense of belongingness) before a person can achieve self-actualization – the need to be good, to be fully alive and to find meaning in life.  (3)

Maslow described self-actualization as a high-level need: "What a man can be, he must be. This need we may call self-actualization. It refers to the desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for him to become actualized in what he is potentially. This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming."

Abraham Maslow showed that those who live lives that are different from their true nature and capabilities are less likely to be happy than those whose goals and lives match. For example, inherent potential may never be realized if energy is focused on attaining basic needs.

In my own view, the true power of positive thinking is generated by rising above the stress of dull and repetitive activities, to ascend above anger and anxiety – simply to choose to be happy and feel the pleasure, joy and exhilaration of simply being alive. This is self-actualization. (4)

Active Consciousness

I have discussed the mechanics of the results generated by the power of positive thinking with my good friend and fellow-engineer, Dick Morley, the inventor of the industrial programmable controller. Dick has a large mind that seems to work in several dimensions at once. When he has no answer, the Morley response is usually, “Does not compute”.

Dick sent me references to former NASA computer scientist and now homeopathic practitioner, Dr. Amy Lansky’s 2011 book, Active Consciousness: Awakening the Power Within. (5) This generated some resonance with me in my search for a rational way to describe the power of positive thinking.  Here are some of Amy Lansky’s ideas that trigger my thinking in the direction of explaining what I was grappling with.

At each moment of time – the Now – each one of us stands at the gateway to an infinite number of possible futures. This is the Choice Point. Some of these futures are more likely to occur than others. If a person does nothing, one of the probable futures will emerge.  As conscious beings, each of us has the ability to affect how the future unfolds. This is experienced as the sensation of free will. 

One of the ways to exert a force upon this unfolding is to use explicit actions – making choices. People have the ability to navigate and influence the unfolding of their own lives. Some have experienced that beliefs and intentions do affect choices and the results in profound ways.

Branching Tree

At each point in time we make choices. Should we walk left or right? Will we work to help our body to repair itself, or simply allow it to deteriorate further? At each instant, we choose one from a potentially infinite number of possible futures that lie before us. And while it may seem that only one future is chosen at each point in time, perhaps all of the other possible choices and futures exist too.

 Amy Lansky suggests that our many possible lives would look like a vast branching tree of possibilities in another dimension – she theorizes that this could be a fourth dimension. She considers that the power of active consciousness – what she calls the C-force – is generated by Consciousness, Choice and Creativity. A person’s use of the C-force can influence not only their own life, but can also affect the unfolding of the greater reality around them. As a result, a much greater collective reality is generated. So, everyone may have creative potential that they can utilize if they wish.

People who believe in God consider active consciousness a prayer. They believe that God hears them and grant what they ask for.

Using Active Consciousness

Harnessing the power of active consciousness will enable a person to become active creators of their own destiny. They can enable an unlikely combination of otherwise mundane events to occur so that a desired goal comes about.

Here’s a simple example:  let’s say that you are seeking a good parking spot where parking spots are hard to find. You’d get the perfect spot if everything connects correctly: the route you choose to drive, the timing of the lights as you are driving, the person who parked in the spot before you is just leaving, and so on. By feeling the power of active consciousness, this could happen. My friend, to whom I have tried many, many times to demonstrate this, calls me incredibly lucky.   They cannot believe that anything else is involved.  Says Amy Lansky: “When you have the right vibe, it's not a coincidence”. My cynical friend responds, “Show me the data”.

Some consider that luck (good or bad) comes from God. But, surely, God cannot be bothered with finding parking spots.

Here’s another example: You would like to find a new job with better pay. You’ve been stuck in a rut for a long time and can’t figure out how to leave your current job situation. Your company decides to lay you off. The same week, a friend calls you unexpectedly to tells you about an acquaintance who needs to hire someone with your exact qualifications. This is the ideal job, which you get easily. Was it just a lucky coincidence? Or was it a blessing as the result of your prayers?

This is all about possibilities and probabilities. Even if something is improbable, it can still be possible. And if it’s possible, the force of active consciousness can play a part in making it happen.  Believers consider it a gift from God. Cynics dismiss it as luck.

No Scientific Explanations

All this is just conjecture. I myself have been feeling the power of “active consciousness” for several years now, and cannot explain it in any meaningful way. Cynics (they call themselves “realists”) shrug it off as luck.

Amy Lansky explains it as the power of “active consciousness”. She refers to four-dimensional and quantum mechanics to generate examples regarding which make her theories plausible. I have a Masters degree in Physics, and her references seem plausible to me. But still, this just shows that such things are possible, with no direct proof. The examples are all simply anecdotal. There is no direct linkage to any cause.

So, what to do next?  I’ll appreciate your own views and experience to help me in this quest. Tell me frankly and directly – am I simply engaging in wishful thinking? Am I deluding myself into thinking that these experiences are not just luck?

Let’s Engage:
Please share our discussion by responding to these questions directly via the blog.

  1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
  2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
  3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
  4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?
  5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
  6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
  7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
  8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?

References:

  1. The Power of Motivated Positive Thinking: https://goo.gl/zYnWJy
  2. Positive thinking improves physical & emotional health: http://goo.gl/4g4x8F
  3. Maslow's Needs Hierarchy: http://goo.gl/RbrQai
  4. The Theory of Self-Actualization: https://goo.gl/alrjNr
  5. The Power of Active Consciousness: http://goo.gl/it7E4V
  6. Dr. Amy Lansky – Active Consciousness website: http://goo.gl/1VUjD7
  7. Dr. Amy Lansky Video: https://goo.gl/dqrn7j  
Jim Pinto
Carlsbad, CA. USA
25 August 2015

21 comments:

  1. I was brought up to be a very positive person. Sometimes, it appears that surrounding circumstances have altered all that I believe in.

    1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
    A little of both!

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
    I can't answer this one..............

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
    No, but I wish them well.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?
    I'm not a big believer right now.

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
    Positive thinking has not benefited my situation at all

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
    No.

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
    No. Outside circumstances can have a lot to do with attitude, etc

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?
    No I do not.

    Add comments, ideas and suggestions.

    Outside circumstances do no always help situations. I have been at a company for 40 years, been “OUTSOURCED”. Not once, but twice! This second company is mentally exhausting me. My husband lost his job and as he is 60 no one will hire him. Of course they can’t say that age is the factor, but we really feel it is true. How can being positive and Active Consciousness help?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My advice is to work on being positive. Yes, it's difficult when negative things are happening - but work on it and work on it and work on it. It is possible. Find ways to change things - and they will change!

      Delete
  2. Thank you, Jim, for another great column. You are the epicenter of positive thinking, in my opinion. You make a good case for it.

    1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
    Neither. You must have been watching the Trivago commercial, in which the narrator asks, "Can you get lucky in a hotel room?" And then we see Lucky, a little dog, trot off stage left.

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
    I think so, but who really knows?

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
    Your idea of positive thinking resonates here. If you have the right (positive) outlook, your answers appear to originate with luck.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?
    Who could possibly answer this---except for a Catholic priest?

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
    Yes, when I do practice it.
    Have you tried to stop the tides at your doorstep?

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
    Sometimes I feel that way. You are the only soul I know who really is self-actualized.

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
    Indeed, it does.

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?
    Rarely, but sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. As always, your latest epistle has set me thinking. As you have known for a very long time 'The positive Power of Thinking' also implies the response should be Positive Action by the the Thinker. Without the action the thinking is a waste of time and the individual simply gets carried along rarely doing the thing that most needs doing to improve his/her own life or that of those around him/her. Your own life history and that of Action Instruments is a good example of Positive Thinking and Positive Action

    Clearly, Amy Lansky has understood this and the necessity for the action following the thinking; without the Action following the Thinking, one is not doing the things that are required to generate happy results.

    So, on to your list of questions:

    1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
    In the main, I think I am lucky, because in general, I have been able to do things that, have had beneficial results, rather than otherwise. For that reason, I have named the book that I am writing of my own life 'My Mostly Fortunate Life'. That follows from the conscious thinking. Some things, cannot be changed because medical science has not yet found the appropriate solutions and in these cases, it is difficult to be positive, apart from trying to do whatever can be done to alleviate things.

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
    It follows from 1 above, that good things happen more from positive thinking than from luck.

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
    It follows from 1 and 2 that those who think and act positively, have more 'Luck' than others.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?
    Perhaps indirectly, but more likely following from 1 and 2 above.

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
    Yes , except where medical conditions are involved.

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
    Yes and Yes.

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
    I think that the answers given above adequately make it clear that the answers to this question is yes.

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?
    Likewise, the answer to this is yes, except where medical conditions are involved

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  4. This one I remember from Action days: Luck is defined as when/where
    opportunity and preparation meet… The preparation is part of the positive
    attitude, too…

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    Replies
    1. Rob:
      Yes, I remember well the Action days! We were positive and prepared and our enthusiasm was matchless! So, we kept winning.

      I remember one guru saying: Action is a small company that acts big!

      Delete
  5. Good questions. Of course there are no absolute answers, only informed opinions about this type of question. I bet that my thoughts are a lot like yours.

    Note: Because of limited response length - Glenn Birket's answers will follow (below).

    Of course all of this is easier to write than it is to execute. Mistakes are made, and they too are opportunities. I was fortunate to be born into a supportive and loving family in the U.S. in 1957. Of all the possible starting points that I might have drawn, that was a mighty good one. So, it is a lot easier for me to do all of my positive thinking than it might have been. The question I have for myself is, “how would I have done if I had been born into the seriously less fortunate circumstances of so many others?” I cannot know the answer to that, so I can’t be too critical of those who don’t share my positive views.

    Thank you for your thought provoking questions and insights. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Continued - response from Glen Birket:

    Here are my particular answers:

    0. Are you simply engaging in wishful thinking by believing in the power of positive thinking?
    Not at all. There is definitely a connection between positive thinking and positive outcomes.

    1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
    I feel lucky and I want to keep it that way, so I look for ways to create my own luck. How? Work hard, work smart, and surround myself with good people who think similarly.

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
    I was taught that luck is what happens when preparation meets with opportunity. I was also taught that problems are just opportunities in disguise. So, I spend a lot of time preparing and being alert for the opportunities. I study problems, looking for their opportunities, and I’m quick to accept the challenges that problems present. My theory may break down quickly when seriously big problems come along. I have not had that happen, but hope I’d keep applying my theory right up to the end, with a smile as best I could, or so I aim to do if I must.

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
    Sure. Some people devote more thought, and spend more time and effort, preparing for the opportunities that come their way. They may also have a predisposition to positive thinking. They may be the ones who were taught, or taught themselves, that smart hard work pays dividends.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?
    Yes, however I’ve concluded that God is mostly beyond human comprehension, making this a tough question. Are bad things from God? Some, probably, and perhaps some are heavily disguised blessings. Hard to say. But, by accepting that I can’t comprehend God and His plans, I can take whatever He sends and make the best of it. Of course, it is much easier for me to feel that way than for someone who has had really horrible things come their way. I was dealt a good hand in life – luck that was given to me by the smart hard work of others. I must make more of that and pass it along to those who come after me.

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
    Yes, and I believe that it helps. But, for some reason this has always been fairly easy for me – part of the good deck of cards I was dealt, I think. I notice that such is not so for many others, sometimes for reasons often unknown and unchangeable. These people present the rest of us with opportunities – maybe an opportunity to help them change, to improve their lot, or maybe just an opportunity to avoid them!

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
    Yes, but I see self-actualization as a spectrum. I have so much more to learn, but I feel lucky to be well up that spectrum. The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know, so as we go along, we see opportunities to further self-actualize. I have a long way to go. That is exciting. I do know plenty of others who are more self-actualized than me. When their ideas resonate with me, it gives me something for which I may strive. What fun would life be without plenty to strive for?

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
    I have not read the book, but if I understand it correctly, yes. I consciously look at what is thrown my way and try to arrange it in a way that allows me to make the most of each situation.

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?
    Significantly so. I’ll say 80% so. Some problems/opportunities will always be bigger than me. I know this because, looking back, I can see that I botched some important opportunities. The one around the next corner might be bigger than me, but probably not.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your essay reminded me of the recent article on education in the recent Atlantic Magazine "Coddling of the American mind":
    http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/.

    The authors excerpt a list of actions to take when you recognize negative thinking. This is the first I've seen this list, and yet I feel I've used some of these defense mechanisms to keep a positive outlook at the dreariest times.

    Quiz responses:

    1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
    Lucky. Plus an amount of synchronicity (unrelated things occurring simultaneously) and serendipity.

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
    Yes. Good things happen to people who are prepared. Despite severe procrastination I've pulled off a lot of stuff with last minute preparation.

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
    Bad attitude (see article referenced above) , Lack of preparation (ref. prev. Q.), born/raised in disadvantaged circumstances (irresponsible parents, bad neighborhood, bad friends) and in last place, inheritance (genetic disposition to low intelligence: 'half of us are below average', and/or mental and/or physical illnesses).

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?
    What god? If there is a god, she created the rules of physics and gave the universe a kick to get it started.

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
    I try (ref. article above).

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
    No, and No.

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
    No. I googled it and read a bit more, and it sounds flakey.

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny? Mostly.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Luck. There is no such thing, Jim. One of the greatest golfers of our time had something to say on this subject and I was influenced by his comments since then.....15 years ago. Gary Player of South Africa. He was known as the BEST bunker player of all time. Hence somebody asked him after he sunk his ball into the hole from a deep deep bunker. "That was very Lucky Mr. Player" said the man. "Son" said Gary; there is no such a thing called Luck in Golf; the more you practice, the luckier you get!!!

    Taking this further, I conclude this event mathematically using statistics. If you practice very hard on a particular aspect of golf.....say bunker play ..... you tend to get your ball closer and closer to the hole so that you could say that Gary Player ALWAYS gets out of a bunker and sinks the ball into the hole within a total of two shots. But if he gets closer and closer with practice atl east one ball has to go into the hole.......statistically that is and NOT luck. Whereas I tend to get the ball onto the green sometimes 80 feet from the hole and it needs me at least two or more putts to get into the hole. Lack of practice that is and very little positive thinking before you hit the ball from the bunker.

    Finally, outside events do not always favour the "positive thinkers". That does happen because the positive thinkers do a lot of practice or research on a particular subject and get closer and closer to the favourable events more often than non positive thinkers. For example, you might have heard that Stock Markets all over the world have gone down by 4 to 8%.........Literally Trillions of Dollars have been lost on paper because of a Chinese problem who have lost more than 11%. Therefore what does one do now? Most people that I know will panic and sell sell and sell their shares. I believe in Warren Buffett who says "Run away from the Stock Markets when most people are greedy and buy their shares at ridiculous prices. The only time to buy shares......well chosen of course......is when most people panic and run away.

    The moral of the above is "buy shares now" but make sure they are well chosen so that in three months time, people will call you and say that you were LUCKY.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Welcome back Jim.

    The lucky and dog comment was used in the old Newhart Show set in Vermont. Tom Poston, the handyman, found a dog. Named him Lucky, because he was, well, lucky to get a home. Enter Stephanie, the cute young woman. Tom says, if you're ever feeling lonely, you can come to my room and get Lucky.

    I'm with Rob. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

    However you wish to believe or not believe about the active conscious thing, praying with intention does "work". My friends do this. I do this. I pray for God to bring certain types of people or circumstances into my life. I prayed with intention for God to point me to a ministry. And, yes, people have entered my life at the right time. Work has come my way. I now have a ministry within my church that energizes me.

    Moving to positive thinking. That just means you are looking for opportunities to serve. It means that people are attracted to you. It means that you are emotionally healthy (assuming you're not using it as a mask).

    Resonance. I knew you'd have to bring in an electrical engineering term.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?

    Quite lucky - as I consider every day of life a very lucky occurrence.

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?

    Yes, though luck has a very variable part in all human events. Good things happen thanks to preparation, effort, etc.

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?

    "Always" goes too far; often is more accurate. Some people are more often lucky because they look ahead and minimize likelihood of being unlucky.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?

    Not really, as we cannot "petition God," as Jim Morrison tried to teach us.

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?

    I do try, and succeed about 75% of the time, and it commonly helps - though not always.

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?

    That is a state of existence which is always over the horizon, beckoning one on.
    Anyone who lets it be known that he or she IS self-actualized is being silly, self-deluded,
    or a playful prankster.

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?

    Yes, very much so - which could mean I do not understand it.

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?

    No, not entirely - as chance happenings (heart attack, accidents, false accusation, etc.) are always beyond forecasting or control.

    Your BLOG material is fascinating - and a gift to humanity.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Warm greetings from a sunny South Africa where spring kicked off 2 weeks earlier than normal.

    1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?

    I don't feel lucky or unlucky, but I do agree that you get "lucky" people. My observation of them is that their luck originate from the way they interact with their environment, having way above normal passion for the way they live life.

    A lady friend has a better than 50% change of winning competitions. She believe that she will win. She does not enter just once - if the competition allows more entries she will enter as many times as she can afford, or have time for (if it is a free competition). She has twice in her life won a new car. I refuse to enter non-free competitions, submit only one entry and only once in my life I've won a prize in a competition.

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?

    Good and bad things happen to all people. Their immediate environment as well as their outlook on life determine the ratio between the two. Living in a middle-class environment usually leads to more good than bad things happening. Living in a squatter camp is the exact opposite and it is almost impossible for people in a squatter situation to change their circumstances due to lack of insight (poor schooling), resources and their direct environment. In South Africa our government has decided that a 30% pass-rate is acceptable to advance to the next grade in school. This decision is mind-boggling and very detrimental to insight especially in the squatter camps.

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?

    See point 1.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?

    If you believe in a god then yes all good things are blessings from "god" and all bad things are induced by a "devil".

    I do not believe in a god. I can therefore only blame myself for the decisions I make. I'm not at war with people believing in a god, if it makes them happy then so be it. I do have a problem with radical beliefs where your "god" allows you to kill people because of their non-belief in your god.

    Almost every Christian I know has a problem with depression, or had a problem with depression blaming the devil for this. I've never ever been depressed in my life (now 57 years of age).

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?

    I do practice positive thinking but it does not always work. I've seen many Christians (my wife is a Christian) pray and then believe that whatever they're praying for will happen. Their success rate is not better than mine.

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?

    Yes I'm self-actualized. Most people with good schooling and/or the correct guidance are self-actualized.

    Continued (below)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Continued (from previous response)

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?

    Yes active consciousness does makes sense although I've never experienced it through healing in myself. But I know two people who were miraculously cured from advanced cancer utilizing active consciousness, positive thinking and belief. My stepmother is also diagnosed with advanced cancer and unfortunately she has lost the fight because she is accepting her early demise.

    I have had quite a number of strange experiences in my life that I cannot explain. On a number of occasions when I entered a building I would know the building's layout and even what and where the furniture is, although it was the first time ever I entered the building. On a number of occasions I had a "feeling" that I must take a certain action and reacting to this always had a positive outcome. It once saved my life. I was driving at 160km/h about 11:00 at night on my way back from my fathers farm to my house (600km apart) when I got the feeling that I must slow down. I reacted to this and took my foot of the petrol and the car slowed down to about 80km/h when a coal truck, totally blacked out by coal dust and rear lights not working, appeared in front of me against an incline giving me just enough time to swerve around it. At 160km/h I would have crashed straight into it. When my wife asked me why I was slowing down I told her I do not know but I feel something is wrong. Is this "six sense" part of active consciousness?

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?

    Being in charge of your destiny is directly connected to your immediate environment. The higher your level of education, the area you're living in and some other factors the better your chances are of being in charge of your destiny. But I do not believe that anybody on earth is or will ever be 100% in charge of their destiny.

    Here in South Africa we've got reverse apartheid legislation hidden under the nice sounding BBBEE (black broad based employment equity) preventing white people, up to a point, from access to jobs and business, and every year the government is making these rules more strict and now influencing all whites, coloureds and Indian people. This legislation prevents people from being in charge of their destiny.

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    Replies
    1. Stephan:

      Thank you! Many of your thoughts and ideas and feelings resonate with mine!

      Delete
  13. 1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?

    Neither.

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?

    Yes. It's 80% hard work.

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?

    I don't believe they're lucky or unlucky. the "unlucky" ones are usually lazy and
    don't do something to help themselves.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?

    No.

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?

    Yes and sometimes. I'm better off doing it than not.

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?

    Not sure the concept is any more than a buzzword.

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?

    Same answer as #6.

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?

    By and large, yes.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh my... great topic, and a lot to unwind here.

    First and foremost, I'm concerned about attributing luck and/or success exclusively to any influence like "Active Consciousness", because the flip side of that is to attribute adversity to some personal failing. This can devolve into blaming the victim, as in the New Age response to someone recovering from a long illness as to "why they brought such negative energy into themselves". Luck (and adversity) can be highly complex in causation (remember the Chaos Conferences? - a butterfly flaps its wings in Asia...), frustrating attempts to pinpoint a source.

    But I do think you're right that individuals can affect their own apparent luck, in ways both imagined and real. On the imagined side, confirmation bias can certainly play a role. If you want to believe that most days are sunny, every sunny day will be seen as confirming your belief, and the not-so-sunny days will be ignored as not fitting the desired pattern. This effect is well-known in scientific circles, and one of the major pitfalls in the design of experiments.

    On the real side, maintaining a positive attitude and a belief in the potential for success can certainly result in greater energy (and perhaps greater creativity) being applied to the problem at hand. This can be an overwhelming advantage, and may account for much of the perceived effect. If, on the other hand, you believe you're destined for likely failure, it can only result in a half-hearted, token effort at best - a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your background processes can be consumed by problem-solving or by despondency -- take your pick!

    This may also point to how good-luck charms may actually have an effect. If you carry something in your pocket reminding you of a personal goal, say, prosperity, every time you touch or see that thing you are reminded of your goal, setting your conscious or subconscious mind to work on it at least momentarily. If that happens 30 times during the course of a day, that's 10,000 times over a year that you're prodded toward your goal. Perhaps no great surprise if some actual progress results, with no "luck" required.

    So, I guess you can put me down on the side of "Yes, it works!" and also, "Yes, it's scientific!", with no quantum mechanics required.

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  15. Oh yes, your questions...

    1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
    I won the lottery by being born white male in the U.S. with reasonable intelligence. Much followed from that (with a bit of hard work thrown in).

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
    Often a combination of luck and "something more", and the "something" can be a complex combination of factors that defies easy analysis.

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
    Gaussian distribution, which applies to luck as well as to many other random events.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?
    Hmm, define "God" :-)

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
    I try to (though recent years have posed challenges in this respect). And, yes, it helps, if only by increasing energy and volition.

    6. Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
    Sometimes. And, if you mean a fully-unleashed id, I guess Donald Trump qualifies.

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
    Only as a metaphor (see #4 above).

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?
    Well, this is tricky. What would it look like if I were? How would I know? Where do my "decisions" come from?

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  16. 1. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
    Neither

    2. When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
    Usually more than luck

    3. Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
    Some are sometimes successful but seldom because of luck.

    4. Are good things that happen blessings from God?
    Believing in God as I do, I have to believe that God does bestow blessings, but not nearly all good things are blessings from God.

    5. Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
    Try to, but it doesn't always help.

    6. Do you feel self-actualized?
    No.

    Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
    No.

    7. Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
    Not really

    8. Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?
    Only to a point.. Too many factors, beyond my control, affect it.

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  17. Do you “feel” lucky? Or, unlucky?
    I think my life has been quite lucky but certainly not by random chance.

    2.When good things happen, is it something more than luck?
    Of course, luck is good things occurring when you plan your life rationally and take the actions required to make your plans happen.

    3.Can you explain why some people are always lucky? Others not?
    See #2.

    4.Are good things that happen blessings from God?
    Since there is no entity such as God, this question is meaningless.

    5.Do you practice positive thinking? Does it always help you?
    Yes, and yes.

    6.Do you feel self-actualized? Do you know anyone who is self-actualized?
    Yes.

    7.Does the concept of Active Consciousness make sense to you?
    Part of it does. Not necessary to postulate other dimensions and special forces.

    8.Do you feel in charge of your own destiny?
    Yes.

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  18. Positive thinking will helpful and bring several kinds of positive changes in our attitude and behavior. Most probably people with positive thinking are always having some positive side for any work and view; their way of thinking and point of views are completely different. Through which they are able to achieve good success in their life; so the importance of positive thinking really work and bring success.
    Executive coach Orlando

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