I did not know that the rain was going to turn to snow. I do know that it was a miracle that I got home safely that night. Although I probably should have experimented in a safer situation, it taught me a valuable lesson about acting as if what I wanted was a foregone conclusion.

When we have the attitude of assurance that what we desire is going to manifest, it signals the subconscious mind to seek the channels necessary. Our positive expectation becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy because we're also taking the steps to make our goal a reality. The Universe then swoops in to support us, and incredible synchronicities can happen. We might be introduced to the right person to give us the information or help we need, find just what we're looking for, or any number of solutions.

As long as we're moving, taking some action, with our goal in mind, the Universe and our subconscious can direct us. Someone once said, "God can't steer a parked vehicle." Even if our first steps are in the wrong direction, we can be guided into the right path. Visualizing, affirming, making a treasure map, all are valuable aids to get us focused on what we want. But we need to overcome our fear of failure by taking some action every day, and acting as if success is assured.

How would you think and act differently if you knew you were going to succeed? If you wanted to be healthier, you'd eat better, get enough sleep, take steps to reduce stress, and exercise. For higher self-esteem, you'd be supportive of yourself and stand up for yourself because you matter. To reduce weight, you'd eat less, choose healthy foods, and exercise more. To be more successful, you'd cultivate an attitude of confidence and self-assurance, and do everything you knew to move forward.

If you desire a higher income, the attitude of "acting as if" doesn't mean going out and spending more than you currently have. In that case, you'd shop for the things you want, research how to invest, prioritize what you'd buy as your finances improve. To increase your income, you might confidently ask for a raise, look for a better position, expand your abundance consciousness, search for a channel for a second income, or whatever is right for you.

Answer: First, a good self-image is the basis of the other two. If you don't feel like you deserve good, you won't manifest more prosperity or success. So the first thing I'd focus on is the self-image. I usually tell people to focus on one issue at a time, but since these three items tend to run hand in hand, I think you can work on all three of them at one time.

I am a fan of Joseph Murphy and his writings, and have reviewed a couple of his other books before. This one is full of Universal principals and wisdom for every aspect of life. Examining the subjects of health, life and death, luck and good fortune, prayer, and much more, he illustrates each one with an example in someone's life. He explains spiritual principles in very basic ways, so that every person who reads this can put them to use in their lives immediately. He touches on the metaphysical perspective of many familiar Biblical and spiritual ideas, such as karma and God's will. Although this book doesn't have quite as many affirmations as some of his other books have, it gives specific instructions on how to use the power of the mind to improve one's life. A mine of information on how the Universe works and our place in it, it's a must-have for anyone who yearns to understand more about their relationship to Spirit and Its good.