You Can’t Always Get What You Want
OK, maybe you’ll argue that it isn’t the most eloquent delivery of this message, but the Rolling Stones were right on with this classic 1969 song. Those of you who have been around personal development for any length of time will be familiar with this concept of not being able to get the things that you want. New people to the subject will likely be confounded as this seems to contradict everything we’ve ever been taught, “You can have ANYTHING you want if…”
According to Dictionary.com, one of the definitions of the word Want is,
“to be without or be deficient in: to want judgment; to want knowledge.”
In other words, there is lack. Yet, ancient wisdom all the way up to the more recent Law of Attraction proponents instruct us to see ourselves already in possession of the things we desire.
Jesus taught us two very important lessons on how to do this. First, before He did anything He gave thanks. In His mind and heart, He clearly already had what He envisioned.
The second thing He said was,
“Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Picture a child when they KNOW they are getting a gift, whether it’s a physical, tangible thing or a visit from a loved friend or relative. For my girls, it gets as simple as a smile and a hug to put them in ‘heaven’.
Replace Your Wants With Desires
Let’s go back to the dictionary for a definition of the word Desire. The origin of the word literally means of the father – (de = of; sire = father). You can’t get any more of a direct connection to the source than that!
Jesus knew that when you put gratitude plus desire together, creation and manifestation MUST follow. The rest of us stand gap-jawed in awe and call these things miracles.
21 But Jesus said to them, “If you have faith and don’t doubt, I promise that you can do what I did to this tree. And you will be able to do even more. You can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. 22 If you have faith when you pray, you will be given whatever you ask for.”
Matthew 21:20 The Contemporary English [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995 by the American Bible Society.
It’s Up to You to Decide Now
Here are ten of my favorite quotes supporting everything we’ve been talking about. You’ll notice there’s an added element of decision. All you have to do now is decide.
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Job 22:28
King James Bible
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.New International Version (©1984)
What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.
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“The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going.”
- Anon
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“There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.”
— William James
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“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
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“A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.”
- Anthony Robbins
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“Every decision you make—every decision—is not a decision about what to do. It’s a decision about Who You Are. When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. You begin to see life in a new way. All events, occurrences, and situations turn into opportunities to do what you came here to do.”
- Neale Donald Walsch
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“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing”
- Theodore Roosevelt
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“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”
- Anon
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“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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“”There Is A Voice Inside Of You
That Whispers All Day Long,
“I Feel That This Is Right For Me,
I Know That This Is Wrong.”
No Teacher, Preacher, Parent, Friend
Or Wise Man Can Decide
What’s Right For You- Just Listen To
The Voice That Speaks Inside.””
- Shel Silverstein
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This is the software I use when searching for Bible references. It's AWESOME!
Did you find this post helpful? Do you still have doubts that YOU can have anything you desire? Do you disagree completely? It’s all good! I am most grateful for your comments and discussion.
Ah, gratitude… you gotta Love That Feeling! 
