Daily Quote for May 11, 2025 | Abraham-Hicks

The Power of Focus: Understanding the Law of Inclusion

In the realm of personal development and mindset coaching, there is a profound concept that often goes overlooked: the idea that our attention, whether positive or negative, acts as an invitation. A timeless quote from the teachings of Esther Hicks reminds us: “When you say ‘Yes’ to something, you include something you do want in your experience. When you say ‘No’ to something, you include something you don’t want in your experience.” While this might seem counterintuitive at first, it holds a vital key to understanding how we shape our daily lives through our mental focus.

At the heart of this philosophy is the principle of inclusion. Most of us are taught from a young age that saying “no” is a way to set boundaries and keep unwanted things away. However, from a psychological and vibrational standpoint, we must realize that our minds do not effectively process negatives when it comes to focus. To say “no” to a particular situation, you must first think about that situation, visualize it, and give it your emotional energy. By pushing against what we dislike, we inadvertently keep it at the forefront of our awareness, effectively “including” it in our current experience.

When we say “yes” to our desires, the process is straightforward. We focus on a goal, a feeling, or an outcome that brings us joy. This positive attention aligns our actions and thoughts with that specific path. For example, focusing on the career growth we desire naturally leads us toward opportunities and solutions. This is the constructive side of focus—deliberately choosing to spotlight the elements of life that we wish to see expand and flourish.

The challenge arises when we encounter things we strongly dislike. The natural human reaction is to resist, complain, or shout “no” at the unwanted circumstance. Yet, the more we dwell on the injustice or the frustration of that thing, the more we find ourselves surrounded by it. It’s like looking at a spot on the wall; the more you focus on how much you don’t want the spot there, the more it dominates your field of vision. To truly move away from something, we must do more than say “no”— we must withdraw our attention from it and redirect that energy toward what we actually prefer.

Ultimately, this teaching encourages us to become more intentional with our mental real estate. Instead of being reactive to the world around us—constantly pushing back against things that irritate or worry us—we can choose a proactive stance. By shifting our internal dialogue from “I don’t want this” to “I would prefer that,” we change the nature of our experience. We stop including the “no” and start inviting the “yes,” creating a life that is defined not by what we are fighting against, but by what we are moving toward.

[Reference]:

When you say “Yes” to something, you include something you do want in your experience. When you say “No” to something, you include something you don’t want in your experience.

Excerpted from Orlando, FL on 2/15/97

Our Love,
Esther
(and Abraham and Jerry)