Think Results NOW: You Are What You Think book 1 – #5: If You Preach It, Practice It

You Are What You Think book 1

Article #5

My life is an Excellent Adventure from using “You Are What You Think”

If You Preach It, Practice It

IT’S NOT WHAT happens to you, but how you react to what happens that determines the result !

This was the topic of discussion during one of my monthly classes at Folsom State Prison a couple of years ago. Most of the men were a little skeptical.

The whole purpose of my visits to the prison is to prove to the men that they can change their lives for the better by learning to gain control over their minds.

ONE OF THE CONVICTS, Jim, stood up and spoke. His words started a chain of events that proved that a principle that was taught two thousand years ago is as valid today as it was then.

If only the world would become aware of, and practice, this principle !

Jim was a rugged looking individual. He reminded me a little of Johnny Cash. Occasionally during the sessions he would quote something from the Bible, apparently having had a religious background as a child.

THIS IS THE STORY Jim told us: “Something happened to me and I already know how I’m going to react to it,” he said, almost defiantly.

He went on to explain that he had diligently saved four cans of tobacco and had them safely hidden in his cell. Tobacco, of course, is very valuable in a prison, and is used instead of money.

One day he discovered his treasure was gone. To make matters worse, when Jim found out who the thief was, it turned out to be someone he particularly disliked.

“I KNOW HOW I’M going to react to the situation,” Jim repeated. “I’m going to get the S.O.B.”

It was obvious to all of us that he meant business.

Fortunately, I remembered his familiarity with the Bible. “Jim,” I said, “isn’t there a quotation in the Bible that tells us how to deal with a situation like this ?”

“OF COURSE THERE is,” he answered, and he proceeded to quote it right off the top of his head:

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44.

Then he added, “but if you think I’m going to pray for that bastard you’ve another think coming !”

I SAID “JIM, YOU have never hesitated to quote the Bible, and you do a good job of it. However, like so many of us, you haven’t always put its teaching into practice.

“In this respect, you are no different from millions of others.

“Now you have a chance to prove to yourself and to the rest of us here that there is real meaning to the teachings.”

“YOU’RE NOT GOING anywhere for a while so you have plenty of time to carry out your plans. In the meantime why don’t you do what the quotation you gave us says to do, and see what happens.”

He said, “Doug, that is asking an awful lot from a guy like me, but as long as you put it that way I’ll give it a try.”

On my next visit, Jim looked like a different person. He was much calmer and acted as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

HE TOLD US THAT although he found it very difficult to do at first, he had been praying for the person who stole his tobacco.

With tears streaming down his face, this hardened convict said, “I don’t know if it did the other guy any good or not, but it sure as hell did me a lot of good !”

Jim changed completely after this incident, and his conduct was so improved, he was released from prison much sooner than expected.

TWICE SINCE HIS release he has been allowed to come back into the prison with me and talk with his former companions. This was extremely unusual.

Not long ago he phoned me from Reno. His voice was full of excitement. He had just been granted permission to conduct a similar class at the State Prison in Carson City, Nevada !

This is almost unprecedented. An ex-convict telling convicts there is a better way !

ONE CAN’T SAY IT’S a case of the blind leading the blind, because Jim is no longer blind !

He discovered that God has given him freedom of choice. Not always the choice of what happens to him, but always the choice of how he reacts to what happens to him. He knows now that this is what determines the final result.

All Jim really did was use a simple principle he had known about all of his life.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE was that this time instead of talking about it, as so many of us do, he put it into practice, as so many of us don’t.

Why not practice Matthew 5:44 on someone you dislike ?

As Jim said, it may not do the other person any good, but it will sure do you a lot of good !