It's not easy to think positively every moment of every day. I'm not even sure it's possible. But the subconscious doesn't need you to be continuously constructive. It just needs you to be more positive than negative for it to create more harmony. But many people fear their negative thoughts, and that very fear gives those thoughts more energy.

Each thought is potentially creative and is formed of energy. When a person recognizes they've considered a negative idea, many times they feel guilty for doing so, and become afraid that it will overcome any positive thoughts. Instead of simply switching their attention to something more beneficial, they continue to spiral downwards, and the negative thought takes on a life of its own.

For instance, consider a baseball player who has missed every pitch in a game. Instead of figuring he just had a bad game, or the pitcher was especially good, he might begin to doubt his abilities. During practice, and the next game, he'll tense up and worry too much about hitting the ball. He may recognize the tendency of his thinking, and try to overcome it. But now he's fighting on two fronts. He's concerned about not hitting the ball and fearful that his thinking is going to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Once he begins to worry, and not trust his abilities, problems arise.

Many times, the limiting, negative thoughts are simply a part of the subconscious trying to protect you and keep you safe. You might hear that little voice in your head saying:

• If you don't try, then you won't fail, right?
• By expecting the worst, you won't be disappointed when it happens.
• If you don't succeed, then people won't expect more of you.

This little voice is part of the subconscious mind using fear, doubt, and worry as a way to keep you from growing and moving forward. As long as you're in familiar territory, then it figures nothing bad will happen.

It's simply doing its job, repeating what it's been programmed to do. So instead of vilifying it, resisting the negative thoughts and fearing their power, change your way of responding to them. When you become aware of a negative idea, simply say, "Thank you." This immediately defuses the power you attach to the negative thought. You're acknowledging its attempt to help, instead of rebelling against it. State, "Thank you, but that's no longer helpful," and respond with a beneficial concept.

A long time ago, I learned a powerful way of dealing with negative thoughts. Divide a paper in half, write your affirmative goal on the left side, and record any objection that comes to mind on the right side, and then reply with "Thank you." By writing down its concerns, and then acknowledging it with a "Thank you," you're letting the subconscious mind know that you recognize its distress. On the next line, write your goal again, and then any negative response, and "Thank you." Continue until you don't notice any negative thoughts about it coming into your mind.

Answer: Most people have the dilemma you do. As you manifest your desires, your desires expand and change. That is the way of the Universe, to learn to accept more of it into your life. When you reach the top of one hill, you then see much more of the horizon.

However, if one day you say, "I'd like to have a Mercedes" and visualize that, and the next day say "I'd like a Land Rover" and visualize that, you're giving conflicting messages to your subconscious mind. It won't know what you want, therefore will give you your most dominant idea, which may be a Ford Escort.

This is why so many teachers tell us to write down our desires. That way, we can keep them straight, and stay focused on what we've written, rather than meandering all over the place. We give our subconscious a clear vision, and the subconscious will return it fulfilled. For years, I didn't believe that I needed to write down my desires, figuring that I had them in my head. Some came to pass, the ones I was the clearest on, and stayed true to. When I did begin to write them down, I found how often I'd change them, then change back. No wonder my desires didn't manifest very often. I was giving my mind confusing information.

Many people enjoy beginning their day with reading something inspirational. The author of this book was Emmet Fox, a mystic, bestselling author, lecturer, and one of the modern pioneers of metaphysics. In his clear and vivid style, he was able to explain the basics of spiritual development and get to the root of the matter. He's one of my favorite authors and I treasure his books. His writing is as fresh and enjoyable today as it was when it was written.

This volume of daily readings was compiled from some of his published and unpublished writings. It contains an abbreviated version of many of the ideas he explores in depth in his other writings. In only a minute or two each morning, uplifted by the daily lesson, the reader will reconnect with their spiritual center. This precious time will establish a harmonious foundation for the rest of the day. These daily devotions will change the reader and their perspective on life, therefore it's a wonderful book for the dedicated student of spiritual growth.