What are we willing to believe is true, even if we currently can’t see the evidence in our lives? 
 
On a recent walk, I was gazing up at the sky and tree tops and noticed all the squirrels’ nests that are usually hidden from view by leaves. We know they exist year round, right? Squirrels need a nest even in the summertime, but we don’t see them and it’s easy to forget about them being up there.
 
If we judged our lives only by what we can see in front of us at any given moment, we will likely experience times where there doesn’t appear to be reason to have hope for a bright future. Certain situations seem like they will never end and other circumstances seem like they will never happen.

 

It doesn’t mean the wheels aren’t turning, moving our futures into position. It doesn’t mean what we hope for isn't going to come true, even if we don’t have evidence yet of what we’re working toward.

 
When we are in that void, we have a choice. We can move into negative feelings and constantly focus on what’s missing or we can trust that we just can’t see what we hope for yet, but believe it’s coming. Or at the very least, we can believe that we may not get what we want, when we want it, but we will get what we need, when we need it.
 
I know a woman who is eight weeks pregnant. There’s no visible sign of a baby and physically she looks the same as she did before. The test says she’s pregnant but there’s no evidence to speak of yet. Because of that positive test, she's moving forward expectantly, which includes changing some of her daily habits (eating better, starting supplements, no more drinking, etc). She is planning for something she can’t see or touch yet but she believes will come to be. She is pregnant with hope and is acting accordingly.
 
Sunday, our pastor said something that overlapped what I had already begun to prepare for this week’s meditation.
 
“Just because we know something is true doesn’t mean we will always regard it in our hearts as truth.” Dan Smith, Pastor
 
When I heard this statement, I felt convicted about all the times I don’t take actions according to my beliefs—when I let worry and fear rob me of what I know and believe to be true.

 

In a recent podcast with Dr. Tami West, I shared with her how I genuinely believe everything is always working for my good and how everything will be great, twenty years from now.

 

That’s the core of Finding the Gift for me and I believe that with all my heart. I have too much evidence in my life to support it. However, I struggle sometimes seeing how everything is working out today, this week or this month, when things aren’t looking so great.

 

If I believe everything is working out for my good twenty years from now, why don’t I start regarding that as truth today and think thoughts and take actions that reflect this core belief? Why don’t I trust more and stop rehearsing future disasters, based on how things are today?

 

 

We’re embarking on a brand new year, a new decade. One of the habits I want to pay attention to is how well I'm lining up my daily thoughts and actions with my internal truths. I want to notice when those two things are not congruent and take corrective action based on what I really believe, versus what I’m feeling in the moment.

 

One strategy I will use to implement my new intention is to clearly write out my truths on a day when emotions don’t have me confused. I will post notes in the kitchen and on my bathroom mirror which I will read every day to help me remember what I believe.

 

I'll especially need those reminders when something happens and my feelings have temporarily derailed me again. My emotions and imagination can start me down a rabbit hole and before I know it, confusion and loss of clarity about what I believe take over, and I’m floundering in worry and fear again. My confidence about my future vanishes and catastrophic thinking has me by the tail again. It’s exhausting!
 
If this speaks to you, join me. I’ve already posted my notes and started reading them each day. Our subconscious believes whatever we tell it, so let's tell it good things! I feel empowered each time I read my truths and I will go back to these notes again and again, writing new ones as needed.

 

There's no need to wait until January 1st to start experiencing more clarity, purpose and peace. Start today! Get clear on what you believe about yourself and your future and align your daily thoughts and actions accordingly. Choose daily to believe what you believe.
 
Wishing you exponential gifts and 20/20 vision for the New Year. I appreciate each and every one of you for taking this journey with me. Have fun and be safe tonight!

 

P,S, Today's daily meditation in FTG is one of my favorites. Log into the FTG Facebook reader's group if you want to chat with me about it. I'll be watching for you!