Whose Thoughts Are They Anyway?

"Thoughts are things." This is not an original thought, nor an original thing for that matter. This particular belief comes from the viewpoint that what we think we manifest. When we named our networking organization Manifesting Vision International about 5 years ago, I did not see as clearly then as I do now what we are about: combining visualizing and positive thinking with massive action to create that which we are most passionate about.

With that in mind I discovered something while falling asleep last night. The realization I am about to share with you caused me to sit bolt upright in my bed for the power of this discovery.

It is pretty common knowledge that we are influenced by the books we read, the seminars we, attend, the people we hang out with, and the thoughts we think. Positive self-talk comes with the territory for people who aspire to live a life of greatness.

Imagine that you spend your day with, God forbid, derelicts who choose to complain about everything. Worse, imagine that this circle of friends devalued education, spirituality and financial abundance. Is it obvious that after some time either you would bring them up to your level, or you might find your positive thinking reduced by their attitudes? Whether it is family, friends, or co-workers, other peoples thoughts are floating around freely. Are any landing on you?

Now imagine that your circle of friends includes bright, forward-thinking individuals who aspire to leadership, optimal health, making a difference, leaving the planet a better place, and being fit, healthy and happy. Needless to say, this second group would be operating from a different set of beliefs than the previous one.

I was already familiar with the concept of hanging out with positive people. What hit me the other night was how subtle this influence is, indeed how insidious.

I know a woman who is dealing with some major financial set-backs. She is struggling with a perception of lack and limitation in her life. The other day she was lamenting about seeing shortage all around her. Not "enough-ness." I was falling asleep and was replaying in my mind some of what she had told me. My training has taught me to be sensitive to vibrations. Positive thoughts create different vibrations and feelings than do negative ones. When I heard and felt myself replay her words in my head, it was suddenly obvious that my mind would not distinguish between those thoughts being hers, or in this case mine. I "caught" her thoughts.

It was remarkable to me to realize that my entire being could entertain someone else's thoughts and have them reverberate in my being as if they were my own original thoughts. I then realized how important it is to witness other people if they are struggling against opportunities for real abundance in their lives, or whatever the topic may be. (This could be thoughts around any significant topics we dwell on.) I use "witnessing" as opposed to inadvertently identifying with.

The purpose of this essay is not particularly to promote meditation, but in light of the realization that we do not want to find ourselves thinking other people's thoughts to our own detriment, any system that supports the quieting of our minds might be useful.

Whose thoughts are you thinking? If they belong to someone who is in the process of creating a reality that may be different than the one to which you aspire, it may be time to re-choose your own thoughts. You may not have to change your friends, necessarily. Just make sure that the thoughts you think support the things that you want. And if you do think someone else's thoughts, be certain that those thought are aligned with your desires.

Rosie Spiegel
Founder, Manifesting Vision International
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