Week 3: Time To Clean House

     The MKMMA daily readings and assignments have yielded me one common denominator: “Subby” is in need of an overhaul – it is time to clean house!

I noticed that some days I am more excited and positive in my readings and others I am a bit lackluster; even cynical. Some days are drenched in belief and others are overcast with clouds of doubt. I am grateful for both the good and the bad days because each are necessary. Truth be told, I am suspect of anyone who dives into a new way of thinking/behaving and claims to only experience clear sailing.  Waves are part of learning; we all have to ride them out. Undoubtedly, our best learning comes from overcoming troubled waters.

Fortunately, the process of doing the daily assignments has kick-started the necessary cleaning. As I read, I am RECOGNIZING the thoughts and emotions that derail my dreams; that stop me from taking chances or moving forward. That these thoughts pervade my mind and directly contradict the words on the page I am focusing on, shows how strong and ingrained they are in the “Subby”.

Their disruption causes me to pause and acknowledge the discrepancy. It enables me the opportunity to grab hold of those negative thoughts and consciously seek a different perspective. I am then able to REFRAME such thoughts into ones that are in alignment with truth. To put the “Subby” in check, so to speak, and clean house of cynicism and false beliefs.

Armed with new thoughts, I am able to move forward and engage in active thinking and purposefully RE-APPLY the thoughts in order to manifest my needs and desires. I am developing new habits and new ways of thinking. It’s a slow process, one that involves work day in and day out.  Yet, small incremental steps are best for yielding permanent change.  I will not rush the process.  Instead, I remind myself to be patient for God is not through with me yet.