“…if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
Gamaliel
Bible (Acts 5: 29-39)
“Let Truth uncover and destroy error in God’s own way, and let human justice pattern the divine.”
Mary Baker Eddy
Be alert to the ‘4 C’s’ of negative thinking!
Virginia Harris, C.S.B.
18th Oct 2013
How well are you discerning between positive, divinely-inspired thoughts that support a productive, satisfying life, and those come-from-nowhere negative thoughts that attempt to sabotage your peace? The news today appears filled with finger-pointing, name-calling, and threatening ultimatums…so much so that it might feel like a daily struggle to figure out what is positive and what isn’t.
A few months ago, I posted some ideas about incorporating the positive ‘4 C’s’ of spiritual thinking that can ensure a good day (click here to read). Many of you emailed me to share how expressing these good qualities has made a tangible difference. Recently it occurred to me that it is also important to be aware of the negative 4 C’s so that you can quickly recognize them, and reject them. Above all, do not indulge them as they have no purpose or benefit in your life.
Some ideas on the ‘4 C’s’ of negative thinking:
Compare – Oh how sneaky this is! It can tiptoe into thought as a kind of ‘negative compliment’, like “I’ll never be that smart…or that good…or that successful…” Or it can be aggressively negative, as in “I’m not as bad as THAT…I am better…I am more successful…” Either way, comparing yourself to someone else means one of you is less than the intelligent, ideal, and cherished child of the Divine. The first one diminishes you, the second diminishes someone else. Both are wrong. Here is a simple solution: instead of comparing, change your perspective and see the other person – friend, coworker, person on the street – as the loved of Love. Not only will you see them in a truer light, you will feel better about yourself. Both of you are undiminished in the glow of the unconditional love of Love.
Complain – Whenever you are unhappy or annoyed about something and dwell on it, silently or out loud, you are believing that bad things happen to you, that you could be a ‘victim’ – and that somehow you have been separated from the abundance of love and good that the Divine is continually providing you. To reconnect with all the blessing that is unchanging in your experience, look for evidence of that good and be grateful. Whatever was annoying you will disappear. It is impossible to be grateful and complaining at the same time!
Criticize – The evil twin of complaining, only this is directed toward others. Anytime you dwell on faults and problems in others and express disapproval or judgment, it is an example of believing that others can be separated from the wisdom of divine Mind, or the compassion of Love, or the all-encompassing gracious Spirit. Not surprisingly, criticizing is frequently the false companion of ‘comparing,’ because by criticizing someone else you have sneakily lifted yourself above them. The antidote? Look for the good, celebrate the good, applaud the good, share the good in everyone.
A friend of mine told me that when she was involved in a tech start-up a competitor was criticizing her and her company to potential clients. Horrified, she called a prayer-partner for help. After describing the criticism by the competitor, the prayer-partner asked her, “What are you thinking about him?” Immediately my friend realized that she must stop her own criticizing and see him as the loved ideal of God. My friend was now seeing good in him (regardless of what he thought) – and being good herself! And the competitor’s harmful bad-mouthing ceased. The effect, then, when guided by love for our fellow man, changes whatever is harmful behavior.
Condemn – How often do you honestly know the difference between what is wrong – and what is simply something you don’t like? Whenever you are put off by actions of others and tempted to judge and condemn them, pause and ask yourself: is this my personal opinion or does this break moral laws? The second question for you is, are my personal opinions grounded in the Golden Rule – am I mentally treating someone else as I would like to be treated?
There is an account in the Bible (Acts 5: 29-39) that retells the wisdom of a leading Pharisee, Gamaliel, who sat on a council in judgment of Peter and other disciples caught sharing Jesus’ teachings. As the council went back and forth on what was right, what was wrong, what should be done, Gamaliel stood and said:
“…if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
Mary Baker Eddy, renowned spiritual thinker, author and reformer – and no stranger to being criticized and condemned – wrote, “Let Truth uncover and destroy error in God’s own way, and let human justice pattern the divine.”