THE TIMELESS PRINCIPLE BEHIND SUSAN BOYLE’S SUCCESS

From time to time, I view the youtube video of Susan Boyle singing “I Dreamed  a Dream”.    It is a lovely reminder of the indominable human spirit; plus it is so uplifting!  Each time—vying for attention in my mind—always—are two words:  wow! … and grace!  No matter how many times I view Susan Boyle’s awesome performance, it makes me want to jump up and shout in jubilation ….. or just sit quietly— smiling from ear to ear, enjoying a brief respite of all is well— in a crazy, mixed up world.  This—not just because Susan obtained her dream; but, because, also, of the subtle message she conveyed of just how success is obtained.  Bear with me.

After finishing my post on Susan, on January 28th, I googled grace to see what I might find.    I found plenty of quotes fitting Susan Boyle to a T —to perfection— and selected several with which to follow the post.  As my current thoughts flow into words, I reflect upon the fact that Susan is one of those special people in the world who rise above difficult circumstances; sometimes, seemingly impossible circumstances to obtain their dreams.

They show us that dreams are obtainable. Their examples are gifts to us to light our way.  Perhaps they cause us to examine our own attitudes to know whether a change in attitude might be just the thing needed ….. by us, for us…. and not just for us, but for others, as well.  But, do we?  Usually, no.  Self examination to recognize our flaws is not exactly a willing pursuit; but therein, lies insight to what it is that life brings to us. 

If our minds are open, then we allow ourselves to improve our lot in life.  No other individual has such an opportunity, for no other knows us as well as we know ourselves.  Although others can see things about us that we fail to see; individually, we’ve been with ourselves on every step through our life’s trek on earth.  We know the trials and tribulations that have shaped the way we view the world, and the way we operate in the world.  If our mental mode of operandi has been damaged, we need essential information accompanied by right attitude.  Then, we are on track to  “fix” ourselves.   It is no quick fix; but, with right thinking, we CAN empower our thoughts— immensely.  That power lies within us.

Somewhere, in her trek through childhood—from taunts of school mates, from the harshness of the world, Susan Boyle could have acquired a defeatist or angry attitude.  But she didn’t; and whether she is aware or not, she has been led through life by the world’s greatest secret—a secret available to all; yet, many spend entire lives not knowing it.  A curious fact is: some need the secret and don’t have it; others who don’t have it may not need it.

 I know the secret; it rules my life.  But, I shall not try to explain —what has been so well said by ancient and modern day practitioners of the secret —which began when man first began to think.     Read the following quotes and excerpts, and see what you think.  They are a smidgeon of quotes taken from what I consider to be a priceless gift to humanity—a 2006 book by Rhonda Byrne: “the Secret”.   So, what IS the secret?  Hear it, now— from “the Secret“:

 “The Secret is the law of attraction!”

 “The greatest teachers who have ever lived have told us that the law of attraction is the most powerful law in the universe.”   “Everything that’s coming into your life you are attracting into your life.  And it’s attracted to you by  virtue of the images you’re holding in your mind.  It’s what you’re thinking.  Whatever is going on in your mind you are attracting to you.”  —Bob Proctor

“You want to become aware of your thoughts and choose your thoughts carefully and you want to have fun with this, because you are the masterpiece of your own life.  You are the Michelangelo of your own life.  The David you are sculpting is you. —Dr. Joe Vitale

 “All that we are is a result of what we have thought.” —Buddha (563 BC-483 BC)

 “Every thought of yours is a real thing—a force.” —Prentice Mulford (1834-1891) 

“That a man can change himself….and master his own destiny is the conclusion of every mind that is wide awake to the power of right thought.” — Christian D. Larson (1866-1954)

 “A person who sets his or her mind on the dark side of life, who lives over and over the misfortunes and disappointments of the past, prays for similar misfortunes and disappointments in the future.  If you will see nothing but ill luck in the future, you are praying for such ill luck and will surely get it.”  —Prentice Mulford (1834-1891)

 “All power is within and therefore under our control.”  Robert Collier (1885-1950

 “Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of coming attractions”. —Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

 “Divine Mind is the only reality.”  —Charles Fillmore (1854-1948)

In summing up what each of  the above has said; I say, be very careful to allow only good and generous  thoughts to form and grow in your mind; for from our thoughts is built our tomorrows.  What are we building each day — grief or satisfaction?  To discern which it is one is building— requires a conscious examination of inner thoughts.   If they are honorable, that’s great.  If not, they should be evicted and  entry back should be refused–by the determination of your own mind; of course that is easier said and done, but in no way is it impossible.

“The Secret“ was published in 2006 by Beyond Words Publishing, which is a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.  I thank the Secret Team for giving me permission to use the above quotes.

 I first learned the secret from “The Master Key”, — a metaphysical book written by Charles F. Haanel; originally published in 1916.  It is a remarkable book of great wisdom and great depth.  It was written in 24 Parts.  One week was/is to be spent on each Part, and each part was/is to be read two to three times a week. 

Following each Part was/is a lesson for building strength and positive control into one’s own mind.  Each lesson builds on the previous lesson, and is, also, to be done twice or thrice, weekly.  In this book lies the transformative powers of the human mind.  What ever harm life has done to our thinking, CAN be reversed.  We CAN be the person God intended us to be.  The book, however, is not an easy study, for several reasons:

 1^st, because it was written in the language of the eighteen hundreds, when America’s children still read and learned success principles from  the Judeo-Christian Bible; which made their collective minds more receptive to  profound truths.   2^nd, back then, religion and education were still closely tied in the public classroom from which children learned culture as well as reason and logics in thinking skills.  Haanel’s book was written for people more attuned to receive spiritual concepts of human thought.

In “The “Master Key”, Haanel said: “truth is the imperative condition of all well being.”  He defined “mental microbes” as troublesome thoughts that lodge in our  thought processing.  To recognize that mental microbes do exist; to understand how they can manage to set up shop in a child’s thought processes; to understand that they can be inflicted by self or by other individuals; that they carry life wrecking potential that can lead to mental illness; and most importantly, that they can be be disloged—I believe— are steps along the road back to normal thought processing.  The real work is in the application of quality thoughts and in the suppression of trash thoughts.

As a book in my home library, “The Master Key” ranks 2nd, right after the Judeo-Christian Bible, as the most important, most outstanding book I have ever read and studied.   Now, nearly one hundred years later,  “the Secret”, available in both book and CD,  beautifully, and  in easy to comprehend concepts, presents the important concepts of The Master Key.   ~

 

Especially for parents:  the poem for today’s post, is from Emily Dickinson, and is perfect for today’s topic of mind is creative.  Like many of Dickinson’s 1800+ poems, it has no title and is brief to the point.   In just 19 words she has expressed the fact that words are powerful things.  

The poem inplies that words can convey good or ill.  Ill words once spoken can not be unspoken.  But, the thought—and the habit—can be changed to insure good words for our tomorrows.  Bad old thought patterns can be broken up and good patterns can be established; and that is the purpose of the 24 different Master Key exercises for the mind.  

 The following are suggestions to impress upon children the vital importance of correct thinking and careful choice of words:

After reading the poem to your children, ask:  What are the two different viewpoints of the poem?  Which do they think is correct?

Be sure the children “heard” the poem.  Call attention to how much was said in few words.

Discuss with them how important it is to think good thoughts and to suppress bad thoughts.  Impress upon them that all words originate in thought. Assign the poem to be said and discussed in a family situation, perhaps at the dinner table.

 Assign members of your household to carefully weigh their words the entire week.  At the end of the week discuss with them what they have observed/experienced/learned.

 Untitled Dickinson poem:

 A word is dead

When it is said,

Some say.

I say it just

Begins to live

That day.

 —Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

In reviewing the vocabulary words with your children, point out that the word, subtle, has a silent consonant; and that for smidgeon, Webster’s Dictionary gives three different approved spellings.  My choice, as I’ve always spelled it—is listed by Webster’s as one of the two alternate spellings.  As usual, let them look the words up in the dictionary.  Again, assign what you feel is appropriate, always aiming at making learning new words and looking them up to be  enjoyable pursuits.

vying

jubilation

respite

subtle

trek

smidgeon

excerpt

metaphysical

profound

 Whether you are or are not home schooling, you, as parent—have an important role in the early sculpting of your child’s mind.  Keep in mind, always, the words of Charles F. Haanel, author of “The Master Key”, “Mind is creative, and conditions, environment and all experiences in life are the result of our habitual or pre-dominant mental attitude”.

Consider “the Secret” as an excellent, easier source of timeless wisdom to make available to your children; perhaps reading and discussing with them a few pages each day.