Manifesting Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be

I don't spend much time on social media, but a couple of times a day, I scroll through my Instagram feed for a bit when taking a mental break. This is mainly because it's a mindless exercise, and I need to shut my brain off for a while. Some of y'all feel me on this, I know. 

I have noticed that more than a few social media "influencers" love to post about how they are "manifesting" positive outcomes or "feeling gratitude."  It typically sounds something like this: 

"Today, while writing in my gratitude journal, I began manifesting good things for my day.  I am manifesting courage to be my best self.  I am manifesting success and wealth.  I am manifesting whatever I need to get you to follow me on Instagram while I manifest. Also, I'm grateful for all the manifestations, and I'm just feeling gratitude while I manifest"   

I paraphrased some of that, but you get the idea. 

Before you think, "Wow, Leon, you sound like a grumpy old man telling kids to stay off his lawn! These young people are just trying to be uplifting and stuff," let me share some of my softer side to disabuse you of that notion. 

Gratitude is a compelling and motivating emotion; we should express it daily. I also believe there is power in positive thinking and facing each day with openness and determination to be the best version of ourselves.  

What I struggle with regarding the influencers isn't their message per se; it's how it is conveyed.  

The smartly edited videos, lit by ring lights or framed in the background of sunrises in the woods or the beach, with the influencer wearing trendy clothes, perfectly done hair, and gazing pensively off camera, make all of this seem so easy. 

It's not easy to "manifest" all kinds of good things and positive feelings when you're not okay. When you are going through hard times, it can be challenging to even think about expressing gratitude, much less creating a "gratitude journal." 

I want to propose something different.  

First of all, give yourself a break.  If you're not okay, know it's okay to be that way for the moment.  You don't need to put on a show for anyone.  With all their manifestations, those chipper influencers are likely not okay either.  

Start small with all of this.  Find one thing today to be grateful for, and focus on that.  Chances are just finding that one thing may lead you down a path lined with other things you can count as blessings.  

Forget about the over-used idea of manifesting success and well-being, and do something that brings you joy and peace instead.  Taking action is a whole lot more productive than sitting around imagining.  

This is not to say that positive thinking isn't essential, though. You should absolutely bend your mind and will toward what is good, beautiful, and true.  

You should also quickly forgive yourself and be gentle with your soul.  Melody Beattie once wrote: 

Embrace and love all of yourself—past, present, and future. Forgive yourself quickly and as often as necessary. Encourage yourself. Tell yourself good things about yourself.

More often than not, our "stinking thinking" about ourselves keeps us from realizing our full God-given potential.  I believe that God wants more for us, and if we are willing to listen, we can hear the voice of God all around us speaking love and acceptance over our lives.  

May you find ways to face each day with hope.  And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.