You are What you Think.

Flying back home last night from Columbus, I thought of the many life challenges I have met and succeeded in overcoming. I thought of the obstacles. I have come a long way. God has been good to me- better than I have deserved. I seem to have a sense of euphoric visions while hurtling through the sky at 40,000 feet, or sitting by the ocean- or Gulf of Mexico in my case; it allows me to feel extreme possibilities. Maybe it is a sense of being closer to Him. Plans form, obstacles appear less threatening… I feel like I can accomplish life changing goals…start projects, expand my horizons.

I guess I mention all this because I find myself looking for ailments these days. Thinking that things will not get better- wondering what I should start and what I should not try… Granted there have been some physical limitations associated with my leukemia and recent bladder surgeries… but I have to admit I have gotten sucked into it as well. For nearly six years now I have been waking each morning wondering if I would have a good day or not. In reality, I have been looking for the negative signs of CLL progression.

Thirty years ago I read a book by a fellow “Doug Hooper” titled “You are What You Think…” Doug had been a mousey guy who lived an uneventful life. Work, family, Church, and some volunteer time at a local prison- San Quentin- a prison ministry. He tried to encourage men in prison to escape their circumstances first in their mind… acting as if they were law abiding citizen, and the laws of nature would take over. Erasing the negative thoughts of themselves and visualize being responsible members of society. Water seeks it own level. If you were a law abiding responsible person, you would be out of synch, out of place in a prison environment… Apparently, the men who followed that advice seemed to transcend the usual rotation of jail- out- trouble- jail again… many defied the odds- the expected outcome of their lives. He spoke of the laws of nature- the law of cause and effect being as real as the law of gravity.

Doug realized one day that he had been talking a mean game- but had not been following his own advice. He was like many, living ok, struggling financially within his means, but not personally fulfilled. So he applied the logic of acting as if- visualizing himself receiving checks in the mail, writing a column, publishing books… being a public speaker, and eventually that all came to pass.

I read his books, listened to his audio tapes and actually met Mr. Hooper at a time when I was trying to expand my possibilities become a better person…and not live up to the lowered expectations that my past had presented to me. A life that I expected to have- that was not v ery fulfilling. I suppose I could blame people- my parents, my teachers, the government...but the fact would still be there... If something was going to change- I had to be a part of that.

So, I read many positive mental attitude books- took courses at my own expense, like Dale Carnegie, Anthony Robbins, and Karass Negotiating. I maxed out employer programs that paid for workshops. I looked for the common denominators of each that could be fitted into my life. I went to church. I eventually found a "good" Bible reading church. That was key. After 13 years in a highly visable image church- I learned more about the Bible in the first six months in a small "bible reading" church.

I am fortunate to have been blessed mightily with a good wife and a Lord who presented me with possibilities within His word (over and over I might add- I was a slow learner) and within my life experiences. Denise encouraged me... God guided me- when I got out of His way. My job has been to connect the dots. Quite frankly, I felt pretty much on track until about six years ago.

Hooper also spoke about physical health- how listening to others describe their illness, how rampant a virus or flu might be- he found himself coming down with the symptoms. He decided to stop looking for ailments. Sounds like a good idea.

40,000 feet can add some clarity.

Now what? Still have leukemia. I still have Bladder cancer. What I need to do is feel closer ro God, and feel his love for me. I need to start acting as if… appling some laws of nature- and maybe getting out of God's way.

Now that I have published this, I guess I have to do it...

Hang on....

God Bless,