Guest Author - Linda J. Paul

Every year I sit down at this time of the year, and take a look back at my life for the past 365 days. And, I realize that the things that I wanted the most have come to fruition. They did not necessarily manifest the way that I thought they might, but nonetheless, they happened.

I think that sometimes we want to see clear cut answers and dramatic changes in our lives when we make our New Year’s resolutions. We may want to drop that 50 pounds of holiday cheer within a month, or give up old habits that have taken years to perfect. But, factually speaking, change takes time and effort to accomplish. And, in order to create change we must first face the opposition to that change. It seems to be a law of nature that once you make up your mind to do something, everything that could possibly be in opposition to that change suddenly crops up.

I see resolutions as a form of prayer. And, I see prayer as a way of allowing the powers of manifestation within myself to gain clarity and complete understanding of what it is I am hoping to achieve. I would not set off on a trip without knowing the destination or having at least a general idea about which direction I wanted to go. Prayer sets the destination and the direction.

Now, the map is set, but I still have work to do in order to go on the trip. I have to pack my bags, make arrangements for a place to stay, ask someone to feed my cats, and let my workplace know that I am taking a vacation. It is the same principle with a resolution. If I want something to manifest, I have to take proper steps to achieve that goal.

For instance, if I want to lose 50 pounds, I have to make a plan that includes cutting back on junk food, adding more fruits and vegetables into my diet and setting up a time and place for exercise. I also have to learn to be gentle with myself in this process of dieting, allowing myself to deviate from the main route now and then for a special treat. And, the most important thing of all.. I have to already visualize myself 50 pounds lighter and happier.

This is not to guarantee that if I make all the arrangements for my trip, set my destination and head out on my journey, that all will go well and I will not encounter any problems. There may be a flat tire, a certain route may be closed, or the weather may not co-operate. Or, the trip may run smoothly. Either way, the goal is to make it to my destination with the least stress possible. Sticking to a resolution can be much the same.

Back to the diet plan. There could be issues with health, family, work, or just life in general that complicate my resolution to lose weight. I might find that I need more than just a diet to take off the weight. Perhaps I have emotional issues in my life and I am using food as a means of comfort and support. There may be temporary setbacks. But, like the trip, the goal is to make it to my destination with the least stress possible.

When your mind is completely focused on your goal, the power within yourself acts like a magnet drawing things into your life that will help you keep your resolutions. But, you have to take notice. You will find support all around you once you stop and look. And don’t forget to pray. There is no right or wrong way to ask for support from Divinity, in what ever form divinity takes for you. It is not so much a prayer to make you stop doing whatever it is you want to release from your life, as much as it is a clarification of what it is you want to bring into your life. The result has already happened. You just have to catch up with that result in our three dimensional world of physicality.


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