Inspiration to Live By! Are You...

Inspiration to Live By! Are You Positive?

i Copyright © 2011 Phillip L. Hansen - All rights-reserved

Table of ContentsAbout this E-Book.........................iiInspiration to Live By....................iiForeword....................................iiiIntroduction................................iv

Better Than Gold....................vPure Gold..............................v

A Positive Faith........................1

Are You Positive?....................2Positive Thought....................8

Now! Are you positive?..........10Challenge............................12


ii Copyright © 2011 Phillip L. Hansen - All rights-reserved

About this E-BookInspiration to Live By

Are You Positive!Series #5

Publisher: e-Spiritual Dimensions of WellnessVancouver, BC, Canada

V5W 1Z4

Phillip L. [email protected]

http://www.e-spirituality.com

Contents of this E-Book areCopyright © 2006, Phillip L. Hansen

All rights reserved

ESBN: 83232-061206-080147-12Re Published and

Last Modified 23/5/12 - 2:29:20 PM

Inspiration to Live By & Disciplines to Master

The fifth ina series of messages

intended to encourageand

Inspire fruitfulfeelings, thoughts

for righteousprincipled moral living.

― ― ― ― ― ―Written, edited, inspirational

Compilation By Phillip L. HansenPrepared and Published by

e-Spiritual Dimensions of Wellnessan electronic resource eBookand a witness for Jesus Christ.

― ― ― ― ― ―Our greatest evolvement is not with

separation, but in union; it is not withindividual achievements alone but incollectively striving to achieve together,everyone's mutual progress and well-being through out eternity.


iii Copyright © 2011 Phillip L. Hansen - All rights-reserved

ForewordThe purpose of this message is to

establish an understanding of principlesand laws of truths and virtues that arecrucial to our progress and happinesstogether. It is intended to unite usthrough the things we do understandand to point the way to resolving theconflicts and contradictions in our lives.It is the opinion of the author that thiscan lead to peace, harmony and unitythe mother, the father and child of trueabundance for all

It is the authors hope that within thismaterial you will find tangible evidencesand examples of spiritual equivalentsthat expand our understanding of spiri-tual phenomena, increased influence ofspirituality and a spiritual awareness inour daily life.

The author suggests the path, pittedby trials and difficulties, builds strengthof character as we put our confidence,trust and love in the right things. Truth

is our beacon light, justice our guide infair play, virtue life's truest expressionof beauty and harmony in growth anddevelopment in emulation of god's no-blest creations.

The benefit of spirituality is the unityand harmony that we achieve throughour humble submission or application ofprinciples of truth. Another is the peace,strength and unity that comes by livingin harmony with principles of truth, aswe learn to distinguish fable or vainsuperstition from reality. Through spiri-tuality, we become like a fruitful vinebearing the fruits of the spirit everymoment in our lives.

As we think we travel, as we enter-tain we choose, and as we dream andaspire we plan and pursue.

Let every hour be our greatest, andevery moment destiny!

Phillip L. Hansen


iv Copyright © 2011 Phillip L. Hansen - All rights-reserved

IntroductionAs intelligent beings we must pre-

serve our freedom of choice, and learnto know and understand good from evil,righteousness from iniquity. God’s lawsare not given to enslave, but to guideand lead us to all truths, to preserve ourfreedom and to obtain a fullness of joyin immortality and eternal life. It is theimproper use of our free agency thatcreates problems limiting our freedom,because of false traditions and selfishnotions.

A moral constitution will serve justlythe needs of all morally self-disciplinedpersons. The moral principles of theconstitution will unit us in all thingsvirtuous, lovely praiseworthy, and ofgood report because it will be in harmo-ny and in compliance to truth. In thismanner we win, increase and retain ourfreedoms.

The content of its message is thefruit of spiritual guidance and inspiration

pondered over in prayer to understandand share the knowledge and wisdom itcontains. In some instances it flowed likea river, while at other times it demandeddeep soul searching thought.

This material has brought me tounderstand more how we need to re-spect others who make erroneous choic-es because of twisted or corrupt values.How else may we help one other tocorrect the undesirable that we haveallowed to creep into each of our lives?

Phillip L Hansen


v Copyright © 2011 Phillip L. Hansen - All rights-reserved

Better Than GoldBetter than grandeur, Better than gold,Than rank and title a thousand fold,Is a healthy body and mind at ease,And simple pleasures that always please.A heart that can feel for another's woe,And share his joy's with a genial glow;With sympathy large enough to enfoldAll men a brothers if better than gold.

Better than gold is a conscience clear,Though toiling for bread in a humble sphere;Doubly blest with content and health,Un tried by the cares and lust of wealth.Lowly living and lofty thoughtAdorn and ennoble a poor man's cot;For mind and morals in nature’s planAre the genuine tests of an earnest man.

Better than gold is a peaceful home,Where all the fireside characters come,The Shrine of love, the heaven of life,Hallowed by mother or sister of wife.

However humble the home may beOr tried by sorrow by heavens decree.The blessings that never are bought or soldAnd center there are better than gold.

–Abram Joseph Ryan

Pure GoldAuthor Unknown

“As we learn to know life’s Values as in timewe’re sure to do; and to learn to sort thetinsel from the genuine and true; and thedross from finer metal, it brings happinessuntold to find one friend among the lot whoclassifies pure gold.”


1 Copyright © 2011 Phillip L. Hansen - All rights-reserved

A Positive FaithBy Phillip L. Hansen

"Your Future Will Be as Bright As YourFaith" — President Monson

Further more it will be as dim as ournagging doubts, while we fail to learnform our mistakes and weakness, toovercome recognizing their cause.

An Incredible Example: It was anincredible game; I was carrying the ball,running like the wind; my own teamcould not believe I made the touchdownafter a 90-yard sprint. The other teamwas not able to stop me.

They were so surprised they almoststood and watched it happen as Icrossed over and made the touch down.The crowd in the stadium was in a wilduproar. It seemed that the universe wasalive. A feat I will never ever forget.

When things settled down, anotherincredible discovery was to learn thistouchdown was for the opposite team.

My action was laudable but my aimwas a fruitless effort because of mis-guided intelligence and lack of vision. Itproves one thing, though it seemedgreat at the time — it proves thatwinning is, about unity and singlenessof heart, mind and soul, and not just theenthusiastic pursuit after the wronggoal; or a mad focus in purpose or intentas we compromise and diversify highervalues with the lower. Crucial disciplinescompromised with the mediocre; blindedby vain ambition, or even led from thesincerity of a foolish heart.

Misguided intelligence causes mis-chief to multiply. The sincerity of intentin our heart does not make it right orwrong, nor does it win the crowningglory. It is the brightness of our faith,



grounded in correct knowledge andawareness in true principle and doctrine,which ultimately wins reward, not theprejudice of a prideful wanton heart.

This happens for one reason: preju-dice pride, the failure to be vigilant andcautious to prove all things true. Wemust first know what standards anddisciplines we need to heed before wecan choose to achieve any goal.

"As we think we travel; as we enter-tain we choose to dream and aspire toplan and pursue." —PLH

When our personal values, the inter-nal compass or guidance mechanism isoff, our interpretation of circumstancein the event observed is all wrong. So,how could we be right? Failing toobserve the signposts, the evidence inthe highway of life, use the wrong map,or lack conscience what sextant wouldfind agreement — as we would fall into

extreme doubts. Our doubts thenbecome our Savior as we recognize ourweakness and error, to study, put on ourcaution belt, to look through the micro-scope of a pure heart, to ponder it in ourthinking cap, concerning the currentsituation to determine the cause ofuncertain, fruitless efforts that failed tomatch the vision of the distant goal.

The answer is the other half of theright question." —PLH

We may therefore conclude here thatpositive thinking is not necessarily theanswer; though it may motivate a cor-rect disposition or a right attitude, itmust also motivate correct values, disci-plines and standards in principle ofmoral ethics and the right vision. There-fore, to be positive we must understandthe cause of the cause, of the cause ofall things that make thoughts positiveto motivate positive virtuous behavior.



…

Are You Positive?Copyright © 2001-2003 Phillip L. Hansen

- All rights reserved

The book "The Power of Positive Think-ing," written by Norman Vincent Peal,Does not change reality. It affirms thereality that, "it shall be according to yourfaith." Faith is a scientific principle.

A reality as stated in the Webster'sDictionary, is the true and actual natureof something in reality, in fact, reallytrue." It is not a personal opinion ofsomething. It is a verifiable, scientificconsistent principle of truth, in confor-mity to principle and law.

The truth, a fact, a reality existsindependent of our desire… belief…faith… knowledge… awareness… or

acknowledgement… of that reality. Weeither know or ignore reality.

We all know that physical realities arenot controlled by our thinking directly.Positive thinking does not control physi-cal realities either. Positive thinking doesnot change a physical reality without theapplication of some other means. Posi-tive thinking does alter our behavior, thefruit of the values we cherish and mostlove. Behavior then, modifies the thingsthat we can modify in this physical realm,subject to physical, material principleand law.

Positive thinking must be in harmonywith principle and law; in conformity tolegal, moral, ethical standards. A posi-tive thinker is ethical, and abovereproach. A positive thinker lives bytruth and veracity, and is true to allthings as they were, as they are, and asthey shall become. Positive thinking is a



scientific principle, applied in this con-text as it must follow principle and law.So as we think we travel. As we enter-tain we choose. And as we dream andaspire, we plan and pursue. So, As wefollow correct principles we win, other-wise we all lose.

By definition, if we look back 1000 to2000 years the word superstition meantreligious, that defined a philosophy, orbelief system. We may realize that faith,in that historical period, was understooddifferently then than how it is generallyunderstood today. Faith then was notconsidered a mere superstition nor wasfaith considered a figment of one'simagination; or not a reality.

Now we all know that things believedto be, "just ain't necessarily so!" And so,something believed, thought, felt andconsidered a reality, in fact may not bea reality, because of unsound erroneous

thinking habits; crooked thinking. "Posi-tive thinking" is not crooked thinking,yet it was substituted for the word faith,that by some is considered crookedthinking. It would be to them, by theirdefinition, which in actuality is not theoriginal, correct definition at all.

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so ishe." Proverbs 4:7 It does not say, asman thinketh in his heart, so shall hebecome!" He is as he thinks and becausehe thinks, he does and because he does,he obtains. So as we think, we are: Aswe are we act: and as we act we obtain.It is so simple. "For, as ye sow, so shallye reap." There is no law that is greater.There is no mystery.

So now we can see that "positivethinking" is causative thinking. Becausewe believe or think we are. Because webelieve and think we act and do.Because we act and do we obtain the



substance of what we believe and think;only when what is believed and thoughtis really actual and true. So, because ofwhat we think, we may be drawnbetween two or more ideas that may bepoles apart, "of what is and what is not,or what shall become." This is notdifficult to understand.

The book, "The power of PositiveThinking" is full of thoughts, beliefs andaffirmations, used to train ones patternof thoughts and feelings, or in otherwords it is a tool to transform onesemotional and mental habits on tocorrect thinking. It transforms one'sdisposition, and attitude that changesbehavior, in other words, the tools weuse, the means we employ, transformsus from within that changes what we do,that determines what we obtain. It is notout of magic or sorcery nor is it anymystery.

The phrase, "Positive Thinking," wasnot new. In the case of Norman VincentPeal's book. The title, "The Power ofPositive Thinking," was in substitutionfor two popular book titles at the time,

"The Power of Faith" and the "Magic ofBelieving." So the "Power of PositiveThinking," arose out of that conflict,which was in application, a true exampleof the "Power of Positive Thinking."

The name did not change the bookspurpose; however, it might haveaffected the potential buyer's choice;buyers that thought and felt that "beliefand faith" were unscientific, supersti-tious or unrealistic attitudes. Therefore,as buyers think in their heart, so theywill act. We will most always act accord-ing to our thoughts, feelings and values,limited or aided by how well we under-stand reality.

It is a fact that learning about, think-



ing and believing the affirmations welearn are true, make up the systemknown as "The Power of Positive Think-ing." However, what is really happeningfor most of us?

Are we considering the pure meaningof Positive Thinking, or are we applyinga counterfeit version? If most peoplethink that positive thinking is a correctway of thinking, what then is correctthinking? Would it not then dependupon the veracity or actual truth inher-ent in or expressed by those affirma-tions?

Now if we view or consider "positivethinking" as a system of selected,chosen affirmations that are in line withour desires, aspirations and ambitions;everything that we desire and seek;then it would appear that "positivethinking" is determined by preferenceswithout consideration to universal prin-

ciple and law. From this point alone,that attitude would not profit the onewho holds that view. Positive thinkingcannot change the consequence ordisregard to universal, timeless princi-ple and law that bring our blessings.

That would be a false application of"positive thinking," equal to the errone-ous applications in the principles of faith,hope and charity. We cannot ignore normay we escape the failure of the correctapplication of a principle or law, evenwhen that principle is a correct principle,,because it was applied incorrectly.

So there are no benefits without thecorrect application of the principle of

"positive thinking" any more than whatis done without the correct applicationof faith, hope and charity. The incorrectapplication simple will not benefit anyone.

This would be, no more than a per-sonal religion, where we choose the



values, that become our God. It wouldbe based upon personal wants, needsand desires, supported by affirmations,crafted and molded from our lowly,narrow value system, of what is goodfor us personally. This would very likelyexclude a large portion of humanity.This is not what "positive thinking" isabout either.

For "positive thinking" to be positive,it must bring us into harmony withprinciple and law, which motivates prin-ciple centered, benevolent, correct think-ing in the heart, mind and soul; tomotivate actions into harmony with theinfinite truths of eternal principle andlaw, leading to personal and collectiveprogress.

The simple-minded look to knowledge,the wise to wisdom, and the sage looksto understanding of ever principle oftruth. Thinking positive is motivated by

correct knowledgeable thoughts andfeelings; wise correct knowledgeableand timely actions, crowned by amature understanding, which leads usto comprehend the principles and lawsthat make it so.Without truth and veracity, generosity

and service, noble purpose and means,correct virtues and values, optimalstandards, controls and correct thoughts,feelings, and behavior, we cannot exer-cise positive thinking.

From this point of view, it wouldotherwise suggest, that erroneous,diverse, unstable and perverse thinking,leads to inequality, sorrow, conflict andruin.

…



Positive Thought©1987 Phillip L. Hansen - All rights reserved

by Phillip L Hansen

As I think of all the thingsthat I must do;I must do them in an orderthat is true.I must form the habitsthat are in line,To reach the goal and purpose,in my mind.I must learn the truth ofall things too,And harmonize all my effortsit is true;With all principles and lawsthat do combine,To make all dreams come true,like yours and mine.

The essence of the poem, "PositiveThought," I believe, express the basicprinciples of true "positive thinking."The points are:

�Applied to what we needand must do�Applied in order of their significant

importance�Skilful, profitable habits, in feeling,

thought and deed�Pre-disposed to achieving a profitable,

noble purpose�Efforts to learn the real truth of

all things we apply�Efforts that are in harmony with

what is really true�Recognition of the principles

and laws that make it all possible�Before the realization all our noble

dreams and desires



Even if we have the right spirit anddisposition, the right purpose and atti-tude, if we are out of harmony withprinciple and law, we are not "positivethinkers."

"Positive thinkers" know that they aredoing the right thing for the right reason,in time, in place and in season. Apositive person is not self serving,egotistical or selfish. A positive personis motivated for the right reason, havinglearned the crucial habit that allowseveryone to be themselves in any circum-stance. A positive person is true, chaste,benevolent and seeking to do good toall people, and if there is anything lovely,or praiseworthy, or of good report, theyseek after those things.

If this describes in actuality thatphenomena we have come to know as

"The Power of Positive Thinking," I hopethat it may lead us to truly become the

positive, successful people we are capa-ble of being. One's right feelings,thoughts and behavior in truth andveracity, principle and law, can onlybring about lasting positive results.

When it does not do that for everyone,though they may be sincere in purposeand heart, they are not "thinking posi-tive," because their thinking is not inharmony with principle or law. It is notin harmony with the reality that is; thatit is really not truly the actual nature ofsomething or in reality, in fact true.

Our thoughts, feelings and actionsmust all together, be true in veracity andin actuality to reap the blessings of apositive personality.

…



Now! Are youpositive?

It is through the application of princi-ple and law that we have become whatand who we are. Life is impossible, whenand if we live out of harmony with thepurpose and nature of life or violate thelaws that make life possible. Why dosome think they can?

Perhaps, due to an incorrect under-standing of principle and law that workfor our good. Another cause is the wilfulpromotion of false concepts and ideas,used to exploit other’s innocent trust,inexperience or ignorance, of what is not"

There are better ways, there arebetter motives, and there are individualswho teach the truth that defy andovercome the ignorance of the divinemysteries of godliness. Our Creator is

the greatest of all, in science, truth andthe laws of the universe. He is thegreatest in love, compassion, mercy andunderstanding. He is the greatest injustice, mercy and equality, and is norespecter of persons.

We have the freedom of choice, thatwe may use wisely or foolishly. HE doesnot say, "No, no!", ever time: "Don't befoolish." He will not interfere for our ownbenefit, growth and development. Wecan do good, or we can do evil. We canrationalize that we can even accomplishgood, through deception, or believingthe "end justifies the means."

Our lack of understanding that we areviolation a law of cause and affect, thelaw of karma, the law of the harvest, "asye sow, so shall ye reap," can not saveus from the consequence of our neglect.There is no other law greater than thislaw. For if we keep the greatest law,



"Though shalt love the Lord thy God, withall thy heart, and with all thy might, andwith all thy strength," then we mustobey the law of the harvest, because ourvery existence and progress is deter-mined by that law and every word thatcometh forth from the mouth of God.

If we cannot understand that princi-ple, or recognize the harm we do to ourselves by incorrect rationalizations, it isbecause of vain pride, erroneous think-ing, ignorance and superstitions thatblinds us. We prefer to leave things tochance, or out of good intentions hopethings will turn out right. We are direct-ing our lives by the throw of the die andthe spin of the bottle, or the roulettewheel. What a gamble with our life andthe lives of others, wouldn't you agree?Pretty unscientific too, don't you think?

Now if we are going to turn our shiparound, we need to navigate our life with

the compass and sextant of; immutable,eternal, timeless, principle and law, thatgovern all existence. Without knowingor understanding these principles andlaws there is no progress, no joy, andno prosperity or harmony.

But knowing and understanding is notenough without wisdom. Even thesethree giants in truth do not stand alone,nor are they independent of other princi-ples and laws. Every principle, every law,throughout the eons of eternity do notstand alone, they are one to one support-ing without exception, without end. So,to must we be, or we can not prosper orstand together in harmony.

"Where there is a will, there is a way,"they say, and we could go on all day,chanting this and not find it. The lifewithin us, that spirit that enlivens ourmortal frame, the intelligence that isclothed with that spirit is the source and



power given of God for the life we live.Why have we neglect the spirit, why dowe starve our intellect? Because oferroneous traditions, that lead to errone-ous habits in feelings, thought andbehavior that corrupt our body, whichlimit the purpose in our mortal existence.

"A love for self-evident truth we ponderin reverence leads us to embrace allthings, virtuous, lovely praiseworthy andof good report." —PLH.

"We cannot measure a truth –howeverwe can feel the power of the spirit as itilluminates the heart and mind." — PLH

…

Challenge" We men of earth have here the

stuff Of Paradise—we haveenough!

We need no other thing to buildthe stairs unto the unfulfilled . . .Here on the paths of every day—here on the common human way—Is all the busy Gods would takeTo build a heaven to mould andmake New Eden.

Ours is the stuff sublime tobuild Eternity in time."

—EdwinMarkham



…

22 Hast thou faith? have it tothyself before God. Happy ishe that condemneth not him-self in that thing which he al-loweth.

(New Testament | Romans 14:22)

1 BEHOLD, what manner of lovethe Father hath bestowed uponus, that we should be called thesons of God: therefore theworld knoweth us not, becauseit knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sonsof God, and it doth not yetappear what we shall be: butwe know that, when he shallappear, we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is.3 And every man that hath this

hope in him purifieth himself,even as he is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sintransgresseth also the law: forsin is the transgression of thelaw.

5 And ye know that he wasmanifested to take away oursins; and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth in himsinneth not: whosoever sinnethhath not seen him, neitherknown him.

7 Little children, let no mandeceive you: he that doethrighteousness is righteous,even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of thedevil; for the devil sinneth fromthe beginning. For this purposethe Son of God was manifested,



that he might destroy theworks of the devil.

(New Testament | 1 John 3:1 - 8)

20 For if our heart condemn us,God is greater than our heart,and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemnus not, then have we confi-dence toward God.(New Testament | 1 John 3:20 - 21)

26 But the Comforter, which isthe Holy Ghost, whom theFather will send in my name,he shall teach you all things,and bring all things to yourremembrance, whatsoever Ihave said unto you.

(New Testament | John 14:26)

1 AND now I, Nephi, cannot writeall the things which were

taught among my people; nei-ther am I mighty in writing, likeunto speaking; for when a manspeaketh by the power of theHoly Ghost the power of theHoly Ghost carrieth it unto thehearts of the children of men.

2 But behold, there are many thatharden their hearts against theHoly Spirit, that it hath no placein them; wherefore, they castmany things away which arewritten and esteem them asthings of naught.(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 33:1 - 2)

6 And this is my gospel—repen-tance and baptism by water,and then cometh the baptismof fire and the Holy Ghost, eventhe Comforter, which showethall things, and teacheth thepeaceable things of the king-



dom.(Doctrine and Covenants | Section

39:6)21 Prove all things; hold fast that

which is good.22 Abstain from all appearance of

evil.23 And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly; and I prayGod your whole spirit and souland body be preserved blame-less unto the coming of ourLord Jesus Christ.

(1 Thessalonians 5:21 - 23)

The EndIs only a new beginning

…

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