Law of Attraction

fluffnutter

tiger_eyes wrote: »

I'm a big fan of the power of negative thinking. My ability to predict and plan for worst-case outcomes gives me more confidence when taking big steps like setting up businesses.

Indeed. Pessimists (realists?) are much-maligned creatures in today's endless pursuit of PMA (got to think positive folks!) but in reality they're often healthier, happier and more successful.

There's no point in endlessly being cheery about stuff - there's a thin line between that and denial.

Saturnalia

I went to a course of meetings on Law Of Attraction a few years ago. I really enjoyed it as I am a pessimist and do catastrophise a lot. Trying to stop this and reframe my thoughts did help me calm down and cope better with things.

I don't believe LOA will bring everything you wish for to your door, not at all! But if you're feeling better in yourself, perhaps it gives a confidence boost enabling you to take chances you might not have?

I didn't like The Secret though, I preferred Ask And It Is Given. I'm now feeling tempted to dig it out and re-read.

InsideInsurance

fluffnutter wrote: »

Indeed. Pessimists (realists?) are much-maligned creatures in today's endless pursuit of PMA (got to think positive folks!) but in reality they're often healthier, happier and more successful.

There's no point in endlessly being cheery about stuff - there's a thin line between that and denial.

Pessimists and realists are not the same thing as life is never all bad (or all good).

Whilst there is an argument that if you are always expecting the worst then you cannot be disappointed and only be pleased when good things actually happen despite yourself I don't agree. Having known a fair number of black clouds they certainly arent happier, more successful or healthier and have lost out on opportunities because they didnt take them.

Extremes are rarely healthy places to be but on the positive side of the mid point is certainly where I'd consider the best place to be is.

fluffnutter

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Pessimists and realists are not the same thing as life is never all bad (or all good).

Whilst there is an argument that if you are always expecting the worst then you cannot be disappointed and only be pleased when good things actually happen despite yourself I don't agree. Having known a fair number of black clouds they certainly arent happier, more successful or healthier and have lost out on opportunities because they didnt take them.

Extremes are rarely healthy places to be but on the positive side of the mid point is certainly where I'd consider the best place to be is.

I agree with all of that. I think that people who aren't happy! happy! all the time are labelled pessimists, hence my use of the term. I was actually simply using it to mean anyone who doesn't automatically jump with joy upon waking in the morning. True pessimists, like true optimists, have probably got life a little skewed. But it's interesting that society thinks one is OK yet not the other. To me they're equally extreme.

sweetme

To an extent I do believe you can attract what you want into your life, but it won't just come knocking on the door. You still have to aim/work for it. I have a cosmic wish list . I'm slowly ticking the boxes on it, but a lot of it has been darned hard work.

marisco_2

Cotta wrote: »

Does anyone else believe in this?

No. If people could change their lives for the better, simply by visualising what they wanted, everyone would be attempting it. You say he use to be a very cynical person. I suspect he still is deep down. The views your friend expressed were most likely born from the fact that they were said 'after a few drinks'. It is great that he has changed his life around and is doing so well. Perhaps he doesn't want to admit just how much hard work and effort it took for him to implement these positive changes.

meritaten

what it boils down to is being 'positive'. visualising what you want to achieve then going out and 'doing it'. you can 'visualise' all you want - but unless you then take steps to bring it about it aint gonna happen! by visualising your friend 'identified' their goals - but then went after achieving them instead of 'waiting for them to arrive'! and this is how visualisation is meant to work.
Good for them - I bet its given them a mental boost and they now are more confident and successful.

Cotta

Good discussion folks and food for thought - thank you to all.

fluffnutter

I 'visualised' a bottle of vintage krug nestling in my fridge, waiting for me. When I went to check I just found some marg, a bit of crusty cheese and some out of date yoghurts.

I reckon this 'visualising' stuff's a load of crap.

heartbreak_star

I think this issue I have is with "visualising things being brought to him".

I have no issues with using visualisation as a mental tool - I've used it during cheerleading and gymnastics training. BUT surely it should be better to visualise what you want, and then going out and getting it not having it brought to you?

I hope that makes sense. I wasn't sure how to word it.

HBS x