Ellen Peterson  (St Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2004, 198pp.)

"Whether you wish upon a star or quietly within yourself, you have dreams waiting to come alive".  Ellen Peterson is a psychotherapist and a social worker who has written an empowering book of help in manifesting true desires.  "Dreams are actually the avenue through which we achieve success and true prosperity.  To be without a dream is to be without a plan…Dare to live your life fully and happily.  Dare to dream in color!"  This is a self-help book aimed at cultivating positive beliefs and overcoming blocks to success.

The cultivation of positive beliefs and positively-directed thought is the key to success.  As Peterson writes "Embrace thoughts that will enrich your life…Thoughts, whether spoken or unspoken, are the means with which we succeed or fail."  Thus we must be mindful of the quality of our thoughts.  "It is too easy to slide into impoverished thinking and the familiar feelings of lack and limitation."

Fear is the most frequent block to positive thoughts and action.  "When you live in fear, you block your good from coming forth and manifesting in a physical way.  Fear has many faces and takes many forms, yet it tends to hold the same consequences for each person.  Fear impinges on life and the manifestation of dreams… Most people are not aware of their particular fears."  Thus, Ellen Peterson recommends using a questionnaire "Acknowledging My Fears" to identify beliefs about money, time, and relationships.

Another way to analyze one's thoughts, aspirations and fears is meditation.  "Create the necessary time in your day or week to get quiet and still.  Realize the benefits of such an important practice.  This is the foundation from which the practice of meditation develops.  Simple meditation is nothing more than being quiet and still.  In doing so, you create an opportunity for divine wisdom to inform and guide you.  Cultivate this important relationship.  Your good depends on it."

Peterson suggests keeping a spiritual journal in which to note thoughts and experiences which arise in meditation, the doubts, the fears, the joys. "Life is a process.  Become acquainted with trusting the process.  Let go and put complete trust in the Universe that what is happening is exactly what is supposed to happen… The gifts of spirituality include inner peace, happiness, and fulfillment.  Spirituality provides direction and perspective."

As life is a process, it is worth recording in a journal, to see patterns, needs, and direction.  "When in doubt, trust.  When afraid, trust.  Move forward on your Divine Path, trusting that you are in good hands.  With practice and persistence, all anxiety will fade from your life.  Your good will begin to find its way to you."

Yet for the good to manifest, one must not only sit and wait.  Ellen Peterson quotes the former President of Columbia University and advocate of international peace Nicholas Murray Butler, "People can be divided into three groups; those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened."

For those who wish to make things happen, Peterson sets out a number of prerequisites.  The first is a sense of order. "Order is organized living" at the physical, mental and relationship levels. "Clutter and chaos distract you and prevent you from feeling centered and grounded.  Your physical world is closely connected to your inner world (thoughts, feelings, and beliefs).  A cluttered physical space tends to create a cluttered and often overwhelming emotional and mental existence… Living in order is an ongoing process.  Do not despair.  Just put something in order today and you will have begun the process.  Life feels so wonderful and fulfilling when there is harmony and order."

Along with order, Peterson stresses the power of affirmations which are clear.  Affirmations consist of only positive and encouraging words.  They are said in the present tense, as if they are already occurring: "I live in abundance" or "I attract only good into my life."

Coupled with affirmations is the power of visualization. "Dreams begin in the mind.  Build through the word and materialize with visualization."

Gratitude is important. "Staying in abundance requires gratitude.  Be grateful for the generous good in your life at the present time.  Appreciate your life and the people who share it with you.  Say thank you to the One who continually provides you with all that you need.  Keep your good flowing with a grateful heart."

Ellen Peterson has written a book of useful advice.  Much has been said before, but she presents it in an orderly and fresh way.  Let us give thanks with gratitude.

Rene Wadlow