By Beckie Dragon

Dear Reader,

I want to help you overcome the challenge of negative thinking and the belief that nothing good can come into your life. I know how hard it is to dream when you’re afraid, because I’ve been there, too.

When I first heard about dreaming, visualizing, and setting goals to create the things I wanted, it felt completely foreign. I didn’t let myself dream—because deep down, I didn’t believe I could ever have the things I desired. I had grown up hearing, “Make it do or do without.” Wanting something that felt frivolous or unnecessary seemed wrong—almost irresponsible. I believed life was supposed to be hard. That being responsible meant I had to constantly be doing something to serve my home, family, or church. I felt guilty anytime I did something just for fun.

I was born prematurely, weighing only two pounds. I was left alone in an incubator, and even at that young age, I believe the bad angels whispered to me that I was too small and helpless to amount to anything on my own. But they also said they’d stay with me and help me. And I accepted that lie. As I grew up, I often heard in my mind, “Other people can do that, but you can’t.” So I decided I wasn’t big enough, smart enough, or capable enough to succeed.

But here’s what I’ve come to learn: we are all given gifts and talents. And that’s exactly where the minions will try to attack you. They’ll tell you the opposite of what’s true. For example, two of my strengths are knowledge and wisdom—but the minions constantly told me I was stupid and incapable.

If you’ve ever had thoughts like these, I want you to know: you can turn it around.

The first step is to expose the lies.
Lies are anything that make you feel small, ashamed, or not enough.

Ask yourself:

• What are the lies I’m believing that are holding me back?

• What price am I paying to keep believing them?

• Are these thoughts aligned with what my Maker wants me to believe about myself?
  Or are they from the adversary, designed to keep me stuck?

Write all those negative thoughts down. That’s how you expose them.
Then, take a second piece of paper and write out the opposite—your truth. Write the positive affirmations, plus one more empowering truth for each lie. Then destroy the negative list—burn it, shred it, tear it up. Let it go. And keep the positive list. That list becomes your daily affirmations and declarations.

Speak the truth out loud every single day.

This is also where the Stickman comes in. When negative thoughts show up (and they will), picture your conscious mind kicking them out. Replace them with a positive affirmation. Visualize that truth going straight into your subconscious and heart—where it can take root and stay.

When you find yourself slipping into old thought patterns—what we sometimes call “stinkin’ thinkin’”—you’re using deductive reasoning:

“It’s never happened for me before, so it won’t now.”

That’s part of the bondage cycle. But you can choose a better way.

Choose inductive reasoning instead:

“If good things can happen to anybody, they can happen to me.”

Most importantly, take your struggle to the Lord.
We are given weaknesses so that we will turn to Him.

Ether 12:27 says, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness… if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

Another verse that gives me strength is Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Left to ourselves, we are weak—but with God, all things are possible. He is kind. He is patient. He loves you. And He wants to help. But He can’t help if we don’t ask.

So ask.
And then—dream.

Know this: it is your God-given right to dream.
You were meant to be a co-creator with Him.
Just imagine what the two of you could create together.

God wants you to dream. He wants you to feel joy. To live a fulfilling life.
Ask Him if what you want is good and right. And when you feel peace in your heart, trust that He’ll be your partner in creating it.

Choose to believe.
Choose to dream.

You’re worthy of both.

_________________

•   To discover how to start choosing more effectively now, read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE!)  
•   If you want more step-by-step guidance on creating the life you really want, join me in the Mindset Mastery program.
•   If you want my help overcoming that giant obstacle right in front of you, learn more and sign up for Genius Bootcamp.