You Create Your Destiny

Recommended song to listen to while reading, find HERE.

Several affirmations, manifestations, and quotes got me through a huge transformation back in March, and helped me reach some lofty goals. This quote keeps coming up for me again and again, and inspired me to write a little something about it. Hopefully it helps remind you of how powerful we are in creating our own reality and ultimately our destiny.

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” ~ Lao Tzu

I had this written in my notebook and I'd read it every day and really think about it deeply. At the time, I felt unable to alter my thoughts, so I decided I'd start with my words. During this period of deep introspection I made sure that every single word that came out of my mouth was steeped in love, compassion, or kindness. And if the word(s) wasn't based in love, compassion, or kindness, then I would not say the word(s) out loud. This completely transformed my life.

Angry, bitter, doubtful, questioning, and mean thoughts still crept in, but I did not allow those thoughts to be spoken. For me, this was a good intervention point… my words. Do a quick inventory. What words do you speak the most? What emotions or feelings are enveloping your words? If you speak angry words about yourself or others, then your destiny is anger. If you speak joyful words, then your destiny is joyful. It's so simple! But, simple doesn't always mean easy.

Changing the words we use is hard. It took weeks of deep concentrated effort to transform the words I spoke so that they aligned more with the destiny I was hoping to achieve. And, I believe it's a lifelong effort. But, over time, it becomes easier and easier. Of course, angry words still slip out every now and again (I'm a human, not a robot!), but overall the words I speak into the world are kind, loving, and compassionate - joyful, friendly, and happy.

Let's say your friend wants to talk about someone else's "situation" otherwise known as gossip. You can still converse with your friend, but watch the content of your words. Instead of gossiping, you can offer kindness, love, and compassion to both your friend and the person they are talking about. Instead of diving into the drama or negativity, simply say, "wow, that sounds like a really tough situation. I'm going to wrap them up in love and positive thoughts so that they can feel better soon." Notice the difference?

When our words are based in love, our actions are love, our habits are love, our character is love, and our destiny is love.

How amazing is that? A destiny based in love instead of anger. A destiny permeated with joy instead of sadness. A destiny suffused with oneness instead of divisiveness.

Now, about six months later, I'm focusing on my thoughts. It's much harder to control because words have a filter. I get to decide, with my brain, if I speak the thought or not, and if I do choose to speak it, I have an opportunity (time) to change the words to be more loving. But thoughts seemingly emerge from nowhere! It's truly amazing how many thoughts someone can think without any effort - without much active thinking. These thoughts emerge out of thin air, from some combination of deep consciousness, divine intervention, and ego. Stopping a negative thought and spinning it to be more positive or loving can feel impossible. How do you stop something that's already in the midst of happening?

But, that's been my focus over the past couple of weeks, and will continue to be a focus of mine, likely for my entire life. Is this thought steeped in love, kindness, and compassion? If not, can it be altered or redirected back to love? If not, then can I stop thinking it?

When I start to feel fear, doubt, or lack of control I try to remind myself that I am completely supported by the Universe and that I have nothing to fear because I am in a state of flow with Divine Spirit. Typically, when I can divert the feelings early enough then they never manifest themselves into thoughts. It takes having a deep connection with my spirit to sense when these feelings may be bubbling up.

It's all a work in progress! Be kind to yourself, first and foremost, whenever you attempt to change any part of you, especially when it's altering a pattern, neuropathway, or innate wiring. Part of the joy of going through this human experience is that we innately have feelings, thoughts, and words that are infused with low vibrational frequencies like guilt, shame, fear, doubt, etc. Consciously trying to notice, halt, and transform these feelings, thoughts, and words into higher vibrational frequencies like inner-love, compassion, and oneness is a lofty goal and not easy. But, I think it's one of the most important parts of this journey. Because, as Lao Tzu reminds us, ultimately these thoughts become our destiny… and as our souls are navigating this material world actively creating our destiny WE have the power to put ourselves on the path towards a destiny filled with love, kindness, and compassion.

The best gift we can give ourselves is to simply pay attention. What are you thinking? What are you speaking? What are you telling yourself? You have the power within you to change the answers to these questions at any moment. When it's getting dark, negative, or mean, halt the thoughts and words in their tracks! Transform them into kinder, lighter, more loving thoughts and words, and watch your destiny unfold before you - saturated with love, support, flow, and connection.