The Role of Self-Image in Shaping Circumstances

Your self-image significantly influences your abilities, emotions, and outcomes. As Maxwell Maltz states in his influential work, Psycho-Cybernetics, "The self-image is a 'premise,' a base, or a foundation upon which your entire personality, behavior, and circumstances are built." Many people attribute their challenges to external factors, yet the real transformation occurs within the self-image. Change begins internally rather than through external adjustments.

Your self-image is shaped by your upbringing, yet you have the power to transform it. Maltz elaborates that it encompasses your beliefs, often formed unconsciously from past experiences. Your self-image reflects your mental conception of your identity, and it is crucial to recognize that what follows "I AM" in your subconscious defines your essence. As a child, your environment programmed you; thus, it is your responsibility to steer your thoughts and reshape limiting beliefs.

Spirit and mind are the architects of all physical manifestations. As infinite beings, you have the potential to achieve anything you desire in life. A personal affirmation to embrace is: "I am so happy and grateful now that I am a spiritual being with unlimited potential."

You are Consciousness. I AM.

"I AM" represents two of the most potent words in existence, echoing God's consciousness. In childhood, your understanding was limited to immediate identity — "I AM this child," "I AM this teenager." The truth, however, is that you are a spiritual being connected to God, empowered to redefine your self-image through imagination and visualization. Engaging in meditation allows you to unify with God, reinforcing your identity as consciousness — everything and nothing, merely "I AM."

To grasp how to work with your mind and thought energy, tools are essential. Below is Bob Proctor's depiction of the mind and body, referred to as "the stick figure." The larger circle denotes the mind, with the smaller circle representing the body. The mind channels and manipulates energy, while the body reflects its movements. The upper half symbolizes the conscious mind, which is open and receptive during infancy and childhood, leading to the programming of early beliefs that shape your self-image and circumstances.

To cultivate a new self-image, you must visualize and plant new ideas into your subconscious. The initial step involves writing out your desired life in the present tense with vivid detail, ensuring you feel gratitude for this vision as if it has already materialized. Every physical element has a spiritual counterpart, meaning your mental creation is already yours. By consistently focusing on your images, the old beliefs will fade, and your new self-image will thrive.

Visualize your ideal self-image multiple times a day. Find a quiet space to concentrate, revisiting this mental image whenever negativity arises. This visualization will elicit a positive, loving, and hopeful vibration. Express gratitude for your envisioned life. Personally, I visualize my ideal health and happiness, maintaining focus on my aspirations. The best times for this practice are immediately after waking and right before sleeping. Let these visions anchor your thoughts.

These steps are vital for reshaping your self-conception. Children possess open conscious minds, while adults can decide what enters their awareness. It's crucial to protect your mind and embrace new thoughts that yield positive results. Many adults remain open to external influences, lacking direction like a ship adrift at sea. Such individuals often discuss trivial matters rather than aspirations, missing the transformative power of their thoughts.

To manifest changes in your life, you must convert thoughts into images and images into tangible results. Emotionalizing your ideas alters your vibration, fueling your actions and making the journey toward your goals feel effortless. The slit test demonstrates that your thoughts can influence atomic movement. By holding a specific image in mind, you can attract the necessary elements through the law of attraction.

Initially, adopting new behaviors may feel uncomfortable or intimidating, but persistence is key. Change necessitates action, whether it involves altering your attire, exploring new literature, or engaging with different individuals. If you encounter setbacks, persevere. Remember, nothing is inherently negative; the meaning you attribute to experiences defines their impact. There is always a silver lining to uncover — the law of polarity assures us of this.

Your ideas may not manifest immediately, but be assured that anything held in thought will eventually materialize. This is governed by the law of perpetual transmutation, stating that all is shaped by the mind. The time it takes for your ideas to take form is dictated by the law of gender, emphasizing the gestation period required for creation.

Energy continuously transitions between forms. As a conduit for energy and a center of thought, you facilitate its movement into form by focusing on specific ideas. This knowledge lays the groundwork for building self-confidence. Remember your true nature and apply this understanding to forge your path.