I wrote out a page in Invincible's 'Wouldn't it be fantastic if...' style, and I haven't yet reviewed it. (It is here on the computer desk in front of me, covered with another paper.)
Meanwhile I have designed and followed a kind of 'health protocol' of my own, that is turning out to be quite effective. I was 'stuck' and now I am less so.
Other thoughts are coming to me.
...When I am fresh, in the morning, I want to read the list and rewrite it from a more positive point of view, focusing the words more on what I prefer, not on what I want to overcome.
...I've just read several comments from people who are NOT into alternative health care or energy medicine, and found that they believe there is something special about writing down their objectives, and surprising themselves with progress in some areas, even when they had not been working at or thinking about those goals.
...Which leads me to a frequent question in my mind. If we focus on ailments, and post about them here, in the various forums, does that attract more of the same? ...More of the ailments we write about?
Or, do we instead simply attract friends who understand and may help us?
And, what do we want when we post? ...Which is a whole 'nother area of discussion.
I am fascinated by the value of individual words and phrases. ...Thinking that they almost stand alone.
One artist painted the F word hidden in a lot of paint, in bold colors...and hung the painting in his living room. People became uncomfortable there. I don't remember the details of all that happened, but events involved his wife, and close friends. I do remember that the painting hung there for a long time, was moved to different spots, and that controversy and losses came to pass before he finally destoyed it.
Graffiti has its own effects on people...even graffiti that has been painted over and you didn't ever see what was underneath. Is it just the memory of graffiti we have seen before that alters our mood? Or, could someone write very pleasant words, very small, in a public place, and affect passersby for the better?
Advertising is a whole category of writing, colors, pictures, and meanings unto itself. People even wear advertising on their clothes.
And subliminals abound. Hidden words, impressions, and meanings, often frightening, designed simply to catch attention.
If these things work to capture attention and alter people's moods, how much more effective they would be if they made people feel better?
For example, if an advertiser told only the truth, the whole truth, in an understandable fashion; sold only quality; reminded people of uplifting thoughts and feelings...and charged only a fair and affordable price...they would control their market, wouldn't they? In fact, I believe they would set new standard in all advertising. All other advertising would look shabby by comparison.
Why don't advertisers realize that and want to be that household name? I know, they don't want to spend the money to make that quality of product. Instead they want to spend fortunes on advertising lesser quality products...to beat out competitors.
Nowadays, advertisers think if they can make us laugh, or shock us, they have done a good job. Then they send their kids to private schools to avoid the kids damaged by their own advertising policies.
I wonder what would happen if more and more people wrote beautiful words, very very small, in hidden places, not attached to any product, or doctrine...a gift to the world.
...Words like 'Harmony'; 'Peacefulness'; 'Understanding'; 'Spring green'; 'Appreciation'; 'Well-being'; 'Contentment'; 'Sharing'; 'Thoughtfulness', and so on.
I wonder what would happen if we wrote beautiful words, very very small, in hidden places in our homes.
I would specifically avoid words that could be taken the wrong way and cause mental doors to be slammed against any suspected pushiness...just in case.
Free and open words...universal words, no matter how simple, would be best. 'Easy' might be one...'Safe' could be another...and 'Warmth'...even 'Tidy', and 'Fresh', might be helpful.
Did the writing of your list lift you? Do you feel as though your vision has been refreshed?
I first did this years ago, when I was really low. Thinking about it now, I remember that the words I wrote were limited to my situation at the time. Still, they were positive and loving words. After a while I noticed that they had less meaning for me, I think I had grown beyond that emotional state. It took about a year, I think. And I had landed in a happier place...thank goodness.
Perhaps writing the words is a good step to help us progress.
I look forward to hearing your experience.
(I've read the text you included, but not yet the word list. I want to study it when I have more time. Very, very interesting.)
I notice if I linger on the words and contemplate the difference in feeling between the pairs, I feel a shift in me and can feel the energy difference, positive vs negative. I don't feel that with all the pairs as I have not studied them much and I believe some are more contrasting than others and therefore easier to feel.
The more times I hear, read and experience the power of words, the more I realize how important it is to use them properly. And I find it curious how many times I am exposed to different and important themes like this, before I accept and further more internalize it.
I really like the way you describe 'incorporating' a new idea into your life. I, too, bump up against ideas, repeatedly, until they become a part of my 'routine', if and when I find them acceptable.
It's almost as if there is a 'season', for each...when the student is ready.
I sought out and bought 'Power vs Force'...but I haven't yet read it. (Blush.) I think I did read a few pages, here and there...but wasn't yet 'ready' to read it in depth.
In the excerpt you give, I think I vary on the idea of 'hell', and the implication of 'punishment'. I have this notion that harmony is all-powerful...and that, if a person can find it, anything less melts away to nothing.
I am rather odd that way. Anyhow, that's as far as I've gotten.
I read through, first, Hawkins' list of negative words, stopping at a few and wondering at what thoughts and circumstances moved him to include them...or to think of them as opposites to the positives he gives. Some, I could see immediately. Others will take a little pondering.
Then I read the list of positives, as 'dessert'. Certain ones of those stood out, too...also making me wonder what moved Hawkins to include them.
His lists are very well thought out, aren't they? He must have compiled them over years.
That gives the reader the advantage of quickly stepping up to good ideas, and over negatives, without the need to ponder life circumstances over long periods of time.
One point I've stuck on is imagination/assumption of how people think of me from incidents in the past. When I encounter those people, by chance, years later, I find I am completely wrong.
No one dislikes me, or dismisses me as unworthy, as I had thought. Turning this idea around, I realize that I don't dislike anyone myself. I have done that here and there, but now find I was mistaken...they are just people on their way, like myself. I may not particularly seek their company today...but I wouldn't avoid them, should our paths cross again.
Too, I've found that even criminals I read about, even famous ones like Bonnie and Clyde, Jack the Ripper, and some kings and queens, are just pathetic, at their worst. Somehow, sadly, they missed their potential...and they could have turned around at any time and done their best to right their wrongs...do better.
In the movie, 'Gandhi', they show a scene where a man comes to Gandhiji and admits to his torment from killing a child of the opposite religion, during a religious riot.
Gandhiji suggests that he find an orphan, of that religion, and raise him as his own...in the religion of the child's birth.
I don't know if this really happened, but it sounds a fine thing to do...something Gandhi, or Solomon, would think worthy.
I have often wondered, in this confusing world, 'Where is Solomon?'
Probably such wisdom exists today, within our own hearts...when we are ready.
I often think, too, that the difference between an ineffective path, and a better one, is simply a small 'step to the side' in our thinking. Sometimes I find myself thinking of that 'step' in the middle of chaos and unhappiness. What small change would accomplish that transformation? And, could we find a way to head in a better direction, without having to agonize over the details of the past?
That, to me, would be Heaven.
Some great orators have done it, like Lincoln, and Clarence Darrow; or simply, like Gandhi, and Solomon; or by example, like Frank Lloyd Wright. Probably you and I, and everyone, do it daily, in tiny ways, as we imagine better and do it...else the world would have gone belly up, long ago.
You have raised excellent points and examples! I agree with you in saying:
"It's almost as if there is a 'season', for each...when the student is ready."
I think we all have the inherrent ability, knowledge, capacity etc to make these steps forward in consciousness. It simply speeds the process when we have teachers or role models, no matter how small.
As an example, I am often amazed how the seemingly smallest things can turn my day around for the positive if I let them. A smile from a stranger, a random act of kindness - that I may simply witness and am not really a part of - an answer to a question that seems to pop up out of nowhere, when you can see someone experiencing joy. I have also been amazed to find out years later how a seemingly insignificant act of kindness of mine influenced others in the past and it is still part of them today. I can only hope my negative acts haven't had the same staying power!
I now accept the power of small things and endevour to recognize the positive experiences which are so easily created. :)
OC
ps. when you are ready Fledgling, I look forward to your opinion on the book
I hear you, Oreocrackers, and I will, but it will take some digging.
My books are in boxes in the garage...with A LOT of other stuff. I got into them while we were first moving, and began to put them on shelves out there, but soon the other stuff blocked my way.
And, a few days ago, dh brought in the bag that held sprouting seeds and similar. There's at least one mouse out there. Dh dumped the whole thing in the garbage without showing me, thank goodness. Mice are my worst thing.
Now I'm thinking of the books, a wool carpet, and some upholstered stuff. Plus going through banging a pot and stamping my feet. Dh is musing on warfarin, which I don't need, thank you very much.
Something must be done, I know. Now you give me a very good reason to get started.
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'Write it' seems to be the most powerful way 
