Recently, I have realized that I am very sensitive to manipulation. The very concept of being manipulated by another infuriates me! I feel like this image…

And I am not sure where it all begun – maybe a childhood memory of my choice being taken from me only to be ‘convinced’ that another option would be better? Or maybe I simply reject the action of taking advantage of another person’s emotions. But one of the definitions of today’s word gave me a different sentiment…let’s explore!

Oxford Dictionaries defines elicit as:

evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one’s own actions or questions

Our thoughts impact our words…

Our words impact our actions…

Our actions impact our world.

And when we impact our world, we impact everyone in it! All we need to do is turn on the television to see how our world has changed as a result of a thought that gave birth to actions that elicit fear, hate and hopelessness. One person had a thought that went unfiltered and that created a reality that is very painful to watch.

BUT…

We have also seen examples of the results of thoughts that produced words of hope, love and unity. Random acts of kindness to a homeless veteran, a generous tip given to a well-deserving restaurant worker. If you tune your eyes and ears to love, you can see love responses elicited in daily interactions among everyday people.

So what will you do today? Elicit emotions from a place of control and fear…which will only create more of the same.

Or, will you choose to elicit love responses through your right thoughts, words and actions?

SET YOUR INTENTIONS AND CHOOSE WISELY!

via Daily Prompt: Elicit

As I sit at my desk, the word that comes to mind is far from our Daily Prompt. It is 35 degrees in Maryland and my warm cup of coffee truly kept me warm as I walked into the office. So, to see a word that creates images are warm, glowing ember is welcomed! But this word contains a more damaging element. Let’s explore it!

Scorched is defined, according to Oxford Dictionaries, as:

burn the surface of (something) with flame or heat

(of the heat of the sun) cause (vegetation or a place) to become dried out and lifeless

These images create a feeling of loss and destruction that can send a chill down your spine. The dual power of fire to both warm and destroy are evident. What causes that shift in power? What can turn a flame that can comfort into a flame that can eliminate life?

Lack of Balance

We have all heard the saying, “Too much of a good thing is bad for you.” That saying is not just talking about excess of material items like food, clothing and money. Many of us have an imbalanced heart and mind. We focus too much on what we do not have rather than reflect on what we do. We think on what this country is lacking rather than the possibilities for what it can change.  We focus on how much our neighbor has rather that the blessings right under our roofs. This imbalanced thinking scorches our vision…it causes us to see a reality that is not accurate. A reality that has been impacted by our lifeless thoughts and burned out dreams. We have allowed the belief in our apparent lack to eliminate all hope from our hearts…and what is left is a scorched wasteland of unfulfilled purpose.

Our thoughts create our reality. Circumstances may lack at times, but that is a temporary condition if we decide it is. If we choose to step back, adjust our focus and balance our thinking. With these steps, we can extinguish the scorching fire our of thoughts and create a beautiful landscape of hope, peace and possibility.

What scorching thoughts are threatening your garden of life? Choose to extinguish them today with thoughts of love, hope and wholeness.

• via Daily Prompt: Scorched