CHAPTER 1
Flashback of Inspirations
A person should train his mind to receive flashes ofinspiration, and work out the divine pictures throughdefinite leads, The Game of Life and How to Play It
—Florence Shinn
Are you living the life you desire? Do you simply existor are you participating in life? Achievers and motivatorsparticipate fully and are living a happy healthy life becausethey know how to create and manifest all of life's wonderfulglory. For some apparent reason there is a mystery thatremains. Why are some motivated and strive for greatness,while others settle and remain feeling an emptiness?Researchers and psychologists feel that motivation isinfluenced by intrinsic and extrinsic forces. Oftentimesmotivation is guided due to variations in attitude and/orexperiences. Attitude reflects how we feel about somethingand the way we react. According to researchers there arethree components to attitude; cognitive (belief about theway things are), affective (emotional and feeling), andbehavioral (intention to behave in a certain way). Havingan optimistic attitude about life you will see everything asbeing an opportunity and you will be motivated to succeed.Therefore, motivation is an underlying belief and feelingtowards the self which affects the way you behave in life. Isubscribe to Les Brown's words, "You don't get in life whatyou want; you get in life what you are."
Having the right motivation can make a huge differencein life. You must have a passion, heightened feeling, or astrong emotional desire to accomplish a goal. Sometimes youmay need a stimulus to inspire you. To be motivated peopleusually have a motive a cause or reason to move forwardand take action. The inner will is the essential component ofmotivation. Everyone is motivated or inspired in his or herown way for his or her own reason. What drives you to bewho you are? You have to have a motive of being who youare (present) or becoming who you will be (future). Havinga purpose and knowing your purpose in life is an importantfactor. It keeps you focused on what's ahead. Purposecreates power. As you begin your journey in fulfillingGod's purpose, thoughts and scenes or events will revealthemselves, helping you to walk into your destinations. Thisis why dreams are important. It provides scenes of neededinformation.
The Webster dictionary defines "flashback" as a sceneor event from the past that appears in a narrative outof chronological order, to fill in information or explainsomething in the present. Are these flashbacks truly out oforder? I believe flashbacks are memories presented to youwithin a sequence to help you recall an important link thatyou may have felt missing. Sometimes information comesto us as a thought, idea, or through a person. Those inspiredflashes or insights are indicators to a specific purpose orassignment. They are also indicators of something whichexists within you. Flashbacks can be considered as divinepictures and leads or links to something. A flashback mayreveal something from our past, present, or future. Weshould work out these divine pictures as definite leads towalk into fulfillment and a divine life purpose. Shinn furthersays, "When a man can say, "I desire only that which Goddesires for me," his false desires fade from his mind and anew set of blueprints is given him by the Master Architect,the God within." When our desires and purpose is built onGod, all false desires fade and we begin to see the biggerpicture. God's purpose is bigger than we can imagine andeventually we come to a point where we no longer try tobuild bungalows but palaces, as Shinn says. So we shouldknow that yes, we are all born with a purpose. It may notbe apparent right away but the memory begins to unfold,revealing what God has called you to do. With each step youmake, information will fill your mind to lead you to yournext level.
Have you had an idea suddenly flash in your mind? Haveyou had thoughts of things you have always imagined todo? What can you spend countless hours doing or studying?This may be the introduction and indication of your calling.These ideas are memories built into your mind of what youwere called and meant to do. They are inspirational ideas toget you out of your dilemma. The spirit is always revealingan idea. Ideas are the activity of creation to obtain things thatyou desire. It is the solution and key component in solvinglife problems. When we work within our passion andpurpose we create solutions and abundance for ourselvesand others. The Bible says, "Take no thought for your life."Thoughts are merely wishes, a temporary solution to aproblem. What do I mean by this? Some may say, "I wish Ihad money to pay all my bills." The thought of having themoney to clear away your bills may bring it into being. Butwhat happens? You will eventually create more bills. Thatthought will only clear a problem today, and with anotherthought bring about another thing tomorrow. Thoughtsare temporary, but ideas are eternal. Joel Goldsmith said,"Thoughts are on the level of things." Typically, when wethink of something we think of material things, such as ahouse, car, money, and so forth. These are temporary things.However, ideas are the activity of creating more. Ideas arehigher thought conceptions. They are thoughts in action. Thebasis for life is to bring ideas into existence to solve someoneelse's problem. When we're able to solve other people'sproblems we become in demand and the supply will beplenty.
Some may feel they don't have great ideas. When asked,"What is something you've always wanted to do? What typeof career or business would you enjoy?" a woman replied,"I don't know. As long as I have enough to pay my bills Iam okay." This is the answer many give because they do notknow their purpose or sometimes are not motivated to movetowards it. Many believe they work to make a living or topay bills. If this is the excuse there will be many unhappysouls. We live to work because we are workers of the Lordbuilt for His purpose and plan. Everyone has a purpose whythey were created. Have you noticed a problem you faceconstantly? You always seem to fall back into that same rut.Believe it or not, that may be the problem you were called tosolve. Past failures are always a set up for future blessings.We encounter the same problem until we learn to master itfinding a solution to help others. First Corinthians 9:22 says,"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak." One mayfind himself in a problem and eventually will help others,who are weak in that area, solve the same problem. In mostcases the stories you hear from pastors are an example.Some pastors experienced great trials and tribulations andovercame each. Their experience and story allows them tolead and encourage others to successfully come out on top.My past trials gave me the compassion to help others whoare facing what I have faced. It also gave me the tools increating an idea, the manifestation of this very book. Since Iwas a child, I have always dreamt of being a writer. My pastexperiences gave me the idea of what to include within eachbook. God prepares you for what you were called to do orwhat you are coming into. Lao-Tzu said, "Always be on thelookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity forsuccess."
I read an interesting story about Henry Ford. He said,"The human mind is a channel through which things-to-beare coming into the realm of things that are." He understoodthis because he was aware of inspired thoughts, ideas,and creating things with his mind. Ford's story is quiteinteresting. As a child he was intrigued by machines such asmotors. He often worked with machines on his father's farm.Later, Ford pursued his passion and began his career as anengineer with Edison Illuminating Company. Now what wasamazing is the word "Illuminating" within the company'sname. When something is illuminating, it is informativeand enlightening oftentimes by revealing or emphasizingfacts that were previously obscure. This company acted as asupport for Ford's invention. It opened up enlightening ideasin how to move forward in his ideas. Whatever was obscuredto Ford prior to working for Edison Illuminating Company,the divine inspiration within led him to his destiny,clarifying and assembling pieces of his vision, bringing itinto alignment. Ford created a Model T car.
Many thought Ford's idea was crazy. When ideasare worth something there will be more rejections thanapprovals. Sometimes we experience more failureand opposition than success, yet all it takes is that oneopportunity that can last a lifetime. Who can create anaffordable car especially during the economic times that wereapproaching? Obviously, Ford knew if this was an idea thenof course it was very well possible in any circumstance. Hestated, "I will build a car for the great multitude." In 1903,he incorporated his idea with only three employees to buildit. He called it Ford Motor Company. By 1908, his dreambecame a reality and the production of Ford's car becamea huge success. During this time, Americans spent only 1%of their income on vehicles. Who would take a chance likethis when vehicles were not rapidly being sold? By 1929, theGreat Depression hit, affecting many businesses. There weregovernmental cut backs left and right (sort of what's goingon today); nevertheless, Ford produced another invention.In 1932, he created an affordable V-8 engine. And that toobecame a success.
Although Ford may have been a bit dismayed by hisfailures, the discouragement of others, and the economyresulting from the Great Depression did not stop him. Fordpressed through bankruptcy and failure to manifest hisdream. You see, Ford had an infinite capacity to know whatcan be done. He had the right attitude and was motivatedto succeed. He knew how to use his infinite possibilitiesto create what seemed impossible during one of the mostcrucial economic seasons. Ford created a new era in theworld's history and a shift in the economy. He shifted the lawof supply and demand during the Great Depression. Fordcreated a demand for a reliable affordable automobile, whichcreated more supply for himself as well as the economy. Godwill cause you to have a vision and an idea to bring change.His purpose is to move you into that vision to create a shiftand a new era. The greatest people and creations are alwaysborn during the most crucial and difficult times.
Ford like many other inventors knew how to tap intotheir memory bank. Their ideas motivated them to movewithin their purpose. Those ideas were an opportunity toreceive abundance; a lifetime filled not with scarcity of wantand need but a lifetime of capacity to enjoy life and fulfillthe wants and needs of others. Everyone either wanted orneeded a reliable affordable car and Ford fulfilled this byproviding for a great multitude. I am sure he enjoyed his lifeas well by working within his passion. When you love whatyou do, money always appears and forever circulates increating a never-ending supply. God always gives a doubleportion of supply when working in your passion. Yourinspiration, your invention, and your vision can be someoneelse's demand. In return, your supply or surplus will beconstant as long as you are consistent in your completionof what God has called you to do. What are you passionateabout to bring a double portion into your life?
You may have heard the term "memory bank." Haveyou analyzed the actual meaning of the term? Webster'sDictionary describes it as a physical section of the memory.Many may say it is information that we collect and storein the memory. I describe the memory bank as a deep darkvault in your mind, a chamber filled with treasures that Godleft imbedded in you upon entering this world. It is filledwith memories of what you are called forth to do. Whatlies within it is an abundance of ideas to obtain wealth.This bank has whatever amount you call forth. This bank,like a financial bank, has a vault that only one person canopen—You! God is always depositing ideas into the vaultof our minds. By now, many of us should be billionaires.Instead, many do not take action and withdraw from theidea. When you're constantly withdrawing the result islack. At times, an idea may flash in your mind, but may bedisregarded for several reasons. Some just leave it as that,a thought and a dream. Others may feel they do not havethe resources to live out the dream. Some may feel it is nota good idea. In addition, others are simply lazy. They donot want to take the necessary actions to bring that ideainto reality. Some may sit and wait until everything in life isperfect before proceeding. Little changes every day leads tobigger ones. It is easier to think it than to do it, but a diligentmind and hand bring forth the wealth. Proverbs 14:23 says,"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only topoverty."
The mind is so precious and beautiful. It came equippedwith never-ending possibilities and unlimited supply. Thisis why it is vital to feed the mind with positive thoughts,affirmations, healthy foods, books, and soothing music. Inreturn it gives you positive confirmations that your desiresare only an idea and action away. The mind is also powerful.It is a channel in which the spirit connects to convey to thebody or flesh. The Divinity recalls memories that may havebeen buried within you. The mind begins to recapture thosememories replaying them to you as thoughts and creativeideas. It informs you of what you can do. Whatever youthink up always shows up. This is why we must be careful ofwhat we hold onto in the mind. It is the throne and heaven,which rules the body. It is placed at the top for a reason. Themind either creates or destroys the outcome of your life.
Thoughts should always reveal that you are going places.In order to reach the Promised Land you have to imagine andthink the possible not what seems impossible. Sometimesthrough life's circumstances we think something is unlikely;dwelling in the impossible leads to destruction. In the Biblestory of the Twelve Spies, Joshua and Caleb along with tenother spies were set out to spy the land the Israelites were totake possession of. Out of all twelve spies only two, Joshuaand Caleb, saw that the land was fruitful and reported backto Moses with a good report. The other spies neglected thepossibility to take possession of the land because there weregiants in the land. They said it was impossible because theywould be like grasshoppers compared to them. They fearedthe giants and the steps to take instead of focusing on God'spromises. Their thoughts focused on the challenges theywould face and because of their thoughts they never made itto the Promised Land. If you fear failure and challenge youwill definitely fail. The spies were sent to examine the landfor 40 days and their doubt led to 40 years in the wilderness.The costliest experience is to think something is impossible.One day of doubtful thinking can lead to 365 days of pain.However, Joshua and Caleb made it to the Promised Land.They saw the possibility and the fruits were well worthdefeating any present challenge. Choose thoughts wisely.Choose your environment wisely. It helps to reveal memoriesof what amazing things the mind can do. It helps you tomove towards your destiny.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine andputs them into practice is like a wise man who built hishouse on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose,and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet itdid not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesnot put them into practice is like a foolish man who builthis house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose,and the winds blew and beat against that house, and itfell with a great crash.
—Matthew 7:24-27
