Practice makes perfect. This familiar proverb embodies one of the great laws of human nature and “being a law” it is never under any circumstances broken.
There is simply no significant achievement without practice and the more practice, provided it is done intelligently, the greater will the proficiency be and the sooner will it be attained. It is true in every conceivable branch of human endeavor. Practice is the price of proficiency.
In metaphysics the effects of this law are particularly striking. Thought control is entirely a matter of intelligent practice. And true religion may well be summed up as the Practice of the Presence of God.
Be ye doers of the word, and no hearers only (James 1:22).
With discipline, practice and God’s help we can manage most of our conscious thoughts. We do not have the ability to prevent all thoughts and emotions that spring from our subconscious or conscious mind. However, we do have total control on which thoughts and feelings we embrace, nurture or allow to linger. This is where the practice of thought and emotion control make a fundamental, essential and pivotal impact in the practice of the presence of God. A simple technique for flicking a burring ember of negativism from our consciousness is to to use the law of substitution. Simply focus our thoughts on God instead of the undesired issue.
Be clear that the real challenge is not the involuntary thoughts and feelings we have, but the mindset, philosophy and opinions that we adopt, accept and embrace. Those are actions over which we have virtually complete control. Changing those will require a lifetime of discipline and commitment. However, even with the discipline of a monk, without surrendering ourselves to God and ceding control to Him, we will not fully succeed. If we do follow God’s will, our success is assured. Then our garden will grow, bloom and prosper as we live there in grace, peace and love.
Practicing, practicing, practicing,
Z gardener
Good Morning Garden 
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