Do you sometimes wonder if the Law of Attraction really exists? Or perhaps if it applies at all times, to all situations?

Paradoxically, we know that it is our doubts about things that keep those very things from coming to us...and which perpetuate the state of doubt and uncertainty. So what to do with the 'catch 22?' To KNOW that it works before we KNOW that it works?

I once heard a very good point made, and cannot credit it to anyone in particular, but will paraphrase it here. Pretend you want to make yourself feel deathly ill by next Friday. If you don't, there will be dire consequences; you'll be fired, or something you consider 'bad' will happen.

If you were to really concentrate on this thought and intention night and day, do you think you could do it? What would you do? Lower your head and slouch your shoulders, perhaps...furrow your brow...start to think about how horrible you feel...each moment you would 'make' yourself feel worse and worse, until you could not even remember that it was YOU that caused this, and it might even be difficult to pull yourself out of it after a while. I'll bet you could think yourself into one sorry state by next Friday. Actually, I'll bet you WOULD NOT DO IT. Because you KNOW you could...you KNOW that you can think yourself sick...we've all done it.

So why do we know with such certainty that we can 'create' negative situations, but not positive? Where does this doubt come from? Most of us have been told since we were little that we had better not want too much; don't get our hopes up; we can't have it all; there is no such thing as perfect; who do we think we are?...

The list goes on and on of things we were told so we would not end up disappointed...but hasn't that led to even greater overall disappointment? Even those kids who were lucky to have someone tell them they could be or do whatever they want received mixed messages from the authority figures in their lives...is it any wonder we grow up and have long ago sold out on our dreams, considering them way beyond the reach of reality?

It is not ourselves we distrust, it is the Universe, because we have been taught to. Once we realize this teaching was fear-based masquerading as love-based, we can let it go. Once we see that something meant to protect us is not doing so, we can break free of the limiting thinking and CHOOSE new thoughts that serve us.

The first step: Accept responsibility for your creations - good and bad - just as you know that you can create illness if you CHOOSE. Then choose what you believe, and hence what you consciously create, from this moment forward. You may have to work at remembering to think this way...there are lots of ways to do this. For ideas and recommended resources, please visit Live-With-Power.com!

This article is written by Shauna Arthurs, creator of a network of sites and blogs dedicated to helping you achieve your grandest dreams! Skyrocket your personal and professional development with the empowering tips, articles and resources at www.IncreasingVelocity.com!