Perhaps you are starting to glimpse your awakening power now and then. But who you are is not so readily apparent.

If you have been working at all consciously with your thoughts and feelings, trying to discard and change the negative – if you have been seeking out things to be grateful for, more than things to be disturbed by – and if you look for places to leave a little kindness behind you, and places where you can forgive, you are becoming very powerful.

True power is demonstrated by your ability to act thoughtfully and purposely instead of reacting with impulsiveness and short-sightedness. Some people might have a lot of bravado and the ability to make things happen by issuing orders and mandating ultimatums. That isn’t power. That’s just bullying and controlling. It shows little real concern for others and it limits one’s ability to rise past a certain level of human development.

There is great power in love – true love – compassionate, understanding, accepting, inclusive, and forgiving love.

There is great power in deep personal integrity because a person is in control of themselves. They cannot be driven to emotional reactions by someone else’s behavior.

Positive strong leadership carries these qualities.

Strength is not brute force. Anyone can do damage with a gun in their hands. Strength is knowing what you are a part of, and what is sustaining you. Strength comes from seeing yourself as a part of the living network of light that is God.

Here is something to ponder: I am not powerful because I can hurt you. I am powerful because I am capable of hurting you, and you can trust me not to.

Thoughts, Then Feelings

Many of us have had experiences where feelings have just ‘suddenly’ come upon us. All of a sudden we go from okay to not okay. We might feel as though this is something beyond our control. If you look at this a little more closely, though, you might realize that there was a brief thought that preceded those feelings. You see a leaking faucet. Your mind pulls out all the countless potentials and you find yourself worried about high plumbing costs. You experience a moment of dizziness and you worry that there may be something wrong with you. Your mind has already remembered all the diseases that have dizziness as one of their symptoms, or the event you might miss if you are getting sick.

Once you consciously know that the thought comes first, you are empowered to have a little more control over those feelings that sometimes seem to be out of control.

If we can catch ourselves at that moment, when we entertain negative thoughts, we can do a lot to improve our sense of security.

We can prepare ahead of time by giving ourselves a list of mental truths, using them as tips for positive thinking, and reviewing them periodically.

Truth #1. Most things we worry about never come to pass.

Truth #2. If we have intended our lives to bring us only the highest and best, then, whatever happens, is coming to bless us in some way.

Truth #3. We have spiritual support teams and angels that walk with us in every moment, to help smooth our path.

If you find yourself having an emotion that is distressing, try to stop and see what thought preceded it.

You have power over your thoughts. If a negative one wants to get in there and take over, you have the power to redirect your thinking into something valuable and beneficial. Then the feeling that follows will bring you peace. Use these tips for positive thinking in your daily life.

Blessed Be You