Have you ever tried focusing on something that you've wanted just to have a background thought of "well that would never work for me"? You can think yourself into negative situations. You can think yourself into poverty, misfortune, anger and instability. However you can positively think yourself into wealth, popularity and happiness without changing anything but your thoughts. Your ability to generate positivity is equal to your will.

Your will is what drives you. If you've ever been late on rent, you do everything you can to make rent, then you make it, because it's at the forefront of your mind, your will is driving you to pay rent and you're looking at every possible solution and opportunity that comes your way. Now, put that energy towards another goal, something more specific and it can be anything (except for another person, you can not control another person's will). I test my will out on green traffic lights, I don't like waiting at stop lights so before I reach a stop (if I have the opportunity; I will not crash into someone hoping for a green light) I focus on wanting a green light and how much I will enjoy freely driving through instead of braking. After I make the green light, I am extremely grateful and happy that I didn't have to stop. I'm not sure why it makes me so happy, it just does. Then after awhile I start testing my will on other things that I find useful. I test it out on my schedule at work, I test it on advancements at work as well. I say to myself and to the universe "I want to be moved up to x position". I say it firmly and with full intention of wanting that new position.Try this exercise on something small and see if it works. Continue focusing your energy on the completion of your desire (like driving through a green light, experiencing a clearance on something you've wanted for a long time, finding $20 in your pocket). Remember to see yourself enjoying the object or event. Remember to be grateful.

Being grateful is what unlocks the universe's gifts. In fact, another great exercise is to record your gratitude. Once you receive your gift remember to be genuinely, overly grateful just like on your birthday or any other time you'd receive a gift you've been wanting. Sometimes it doesn't come to you the way you think it might, so try to be patient.

So, you've probably been wondering, "what's all this 'universe' stuff?". According to Wallace D. Waddles' The Science of Getting Rich, he says the 'universe' is comprised of 'thinking stuff'. I'm a Christian so I believe the word 'universe' in this text is interchangeable with God or Jesus Christ. However, I will leave it up to you to decide, I cannot make your mind up for you. If you are a Christian, continue to try it out, it has enriched my Christian life greatly. If you're not a Christian, continue to try it, it's still very much worth it.

I've noticed over the years, some people have that drive and will where they look at you and tell you their aspirations. They say it with such conviction you have no choice but to believe them. Of course they're going to put effort into it, but they will have accomplished what they set out to accomplish nearly completely due to positive thinking.

Lately I've been trying it more and more, then I stop and I get down because my practical side says "you can't depend on a budget that's not there". I thought myself into poverty again. I was living richly last month, somehow making it and having extra money to spare and save. I looked at our budget and saw we had the same amount as last month and didn't do anything differently, in fact we ate out less this month, but we had less money. Now I'm absolutely sure it was because I started thinking negatively. It's difficult to constantly think positively against the odds but it's better than going with the negativity. Remember the old saying, "misery loves company"? Well you'll start to draw in other negative people, and the cycle won't end until you start thinking positively again.

So today I'm going to restart my positive thinking, my gratitude journal and generate my positive energy! I hope you'll join me.