Now say it again:
"President Barack Obama"
Humor me for a few minutes. Eliminate all negative thoughts from your mind, take a deep breath, and say it a third time! Only this time, imagine it to be true!
"President Barack Obama!"
Picture in your mind, President Obama speaking at his inauguration, instilling in us those inspiring words which will begin the healing of America. Envision the nation as a whole, in one voice, chanting "Yes we can!"
Now broaden your horizon and visualize the world community joining in with that refrain (They are already enthusiastic about the possibility of an Obama presidency).
If you can take at least five minutes, one to three times each day, and focus your consciousness on Barack Obama, as though he is already president of the United States, you could help to ensure his election!
This may sound a little hokey, but if you can, even put together a collage which is representative of President Obama in the White House.
Look at it frequently and dare to believe it’s true!
Envisioning success is not a new concept.
Early cave paintings, believed to have originated during the Palaeolithic age from 40,000 B.C. to 10,000 B.C., were said to depict "hunting magic" and increase the number of animals.
In her article The History of Positive Thinking Nori Muster, author of Dreaming Peace: Your Thoughts Can Change the World, defines Neoplatonism:
Based on the writings of Plato (427-347 BC) and founded in the third century AD, Neoplatonism had a revival in the 1800s. In his "Allegory of the Cave" in the Republic, Plato said that prisoners held inside a cave their whole lives would mistake the shadows on the wall for reality. This is the root of Emerson's theory of the many-colored lenses. Plato explained that if the prisoners were to come out into the light, they would realize that the world is much different than they perceive.
Many of you are familiar with positive thinking books such as:
"How to Win Friends and Influence People", 1936, by Dale Carnegie (1888-1955)
"Think and Grow Rich", 1937, by Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
"The Power of Positive Thinking", 1952, by Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)
"The Strangest Secret", 1956, by Earl Nightingale (1921 - 1989)
"Psycho-cybernetics", 1960, by Maxwell Maltz, M.D., F.I.C.S. (1899-1975)
"My Method" by Emile Coué (1922)
"The Essential Ernest Holmes" (or any book by Ernest Holmes)
"Psycho-pictography: the new way to use the miracle power of your mind" by Vernon
Howard 1965 (or any book by Vernon Howard)
According to studies conducted through grants by The National Institutes of Health, there is evidence of a direct correlation between a positive attitude and good health.
"Mind-body medicine is now scientifically proven," says Herbert Benson, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who is considered a pioneer in the field. "There are literally thousands of articles on how the mind and brain affect the body."
In the documentary "The Secret", there are countless stories of dramatic changes in people’s lives which were brought about by channeling positive energy.
Some may claim that this is new age mumbo jumbo. However, positive thinking or New Thought (as it is commonly referred to) has its roots in most all major religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and yes Christianity! (Read Philippians 4:8 and Ephesians 4:23).
"The law of attraction" and "like attracts like" can be found in Paganism and traced back to most of the ancient world religions. Projecting a positive energy can even be found in Atheism.
I’m not suggesting that we only think happy thoughts rather than working hard to ensure Obama’s election. Mere complacency could have even worse implications. But I am proposing that we that we take a few minutes each day to think positive and envision Obama’s success; instead of focusing our negative energy on McCain Palin. Remember, we’ve had almost eight years of being force-fed fear and panic, and two presidential elections inundated with some of the most vicious mud-slinging in our nation's history...and look where it’s gotten us!
So let’s begin today; let's begin referring to Barack Obama as President Barack Obama and Joe Biden as Vice President Joe Biden. While we’re at it, let’s re-define our mission here at Daily Kos. We can, as a community, be agents of real change under an Obama presidency!
Also, let's try to spread this positive energy to others.
It’s infectious!