Is it ok to say that?
Dear Rabbi,
I highly appreciate all your teachings, I am a happy warrior from El Salvador in Central America.
I work for a company in which the culture is based on a positive mentality. The owner tells us to practice mental training every day, which he defines it like, every morning stand in front of the mirror and tell yourself: “I can do it” “I am a champion.” They believe in the law of attraction, in things like your thoughts create your future, and because the company and the owner are very successful everybody follows him, but I feel confused.
What do you think about that? How can I identify what is good and what is not? I wanna be successful as well but I don’t want to lose my soul, as the bible teaches.
Please dear Rabbi, I wanna know what the truth is.
Obed Q.
Dear Obed,
We love having Happy Warriors around the world, and now we can happily dance to our map and put one more pin into El Salvador to represent you!
What an interesting question you are asking. The Bible places a great deal of emphasis on the power of speech, with its potential for both great positive and great negative effects. In our audio program, Perils of Profanity: You Are What You Speak, we focus on the problem of misusing our mouths, not only through profanity but also, for example, by telling ourselves negative thoughts such as, “I can’t do this.”
Your question tends in the opposite direction. The idea of speaking affirmations aloud and making positive statements has become very popular. While this idea used to be standard in athletic competitions, today it has become mainstream in corporations.
Like so many other things, the potential for misuse comes not from the practice in itself, but in how it is done. Is the ‘law of attraction’ an almost magical formula or is it a psychological tool? There is a world of difference between saying, “I am a champion,” and saying, “Please God, help me be a champion today.” Psyching oneself up by saying, “I will make a major sale today,” is not the same as acknowledging, “God, I will do everything I can, and with Your help, I will make a major sale today.”
Obed, there is no question that our thoughts help direct our paths. Speaking our thoughts aloud does give them added power. What we mustn’t do is push God out of the equation. As long as you remember to thank God, include Him in your affirmations, and recognize that all blessings flow from Him, we think you can join in your company’s exercises without fear.
Wishing you great success,
Rabbi Daniel and Susan Lapin
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