I recently heard a story of a man named Capt. Edward A. Murphy who was an engineer working on an Air Force Project many years ago.
He was a grumpy man and it was recorded that after finding something on the project was wired wrong, he cursed the man responsible and said, “If there is any way to do it wrong, this man will find it!” Ouch.
The contractor’s project manager kept a list of “laws” and added this one, which he called Murphy’s Law. Perhaps you’ve heard of it! The law that states, “Everything that can go wrong will go wrong.”
What a negative belief system to live by! Since what we believe and focus on tends to come our way the person living by that law will have a very frustrating existence missing out on the great things all around him or her because they will be too busy looking out for what is going to go wrong.
I did used to live that way and it really was a miserable existence, I thought I was merely being realistic. I actually was being realistic in that I was creating a self fulfilling prophecy in my life of negativity. I’m so grateful that I learned about changing the way that I think so that I can focus on the positive, expect it and enjoy it when I find it – because I will find it since I am looking for it. That’s the kind of self fulfilling prophecy that I like!
I heard a story of how he died, I’m not sure if it’s true. Late one evening Mr. Murphy’s car ran out of gas. He hitchhiked to a gas station facing traffic and wearing white when he was struck from behind by a tourist who was driving on the wrong side of the road.
If that is true then goes to show well the law of attraction works…
When we are dealing with the law of attraction, we can’t forget about Newton and his famous law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The opposite reaction that we rarely hear about in the law of attraction is that of resistance. While we are attempting to bring positive things into our lives will will also be faced with resistance.
There are many laws of nature at work in the world. The better that we understand the laws the more likely we are of making them work for us instead of against us.
What laws do you live by? What laws would be named after you? How would you change if you knew that a law would be named after you? I would love to hear your thoughts, please share in the comments! If you enjoyed this post please share, tweet, vote, etc! Thank you!
To Your Success,
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I would actually hate to think there could be a law named after me. I am sure I live by some sort of vacuum law- where available space gets filled up. What I need to do is fill that space with positive thoughts and actions.
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Stacy Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 10:04 am
That sounds like a great plan!
Stacy
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Stacy, I too used to live by Murphys law. There is so much on resistance.When I experience resistance, I try to create the vacuum that will allow the positive outcome for me.
WOW! I’ve just seen how a list of my articles now come up under my comment. Fantastic!
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Stacy Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Hi Marty,
The new commentluv is much improved!
Stacy
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What’s Your Law? « Grow With Stacy…
There are many laws at work in the world, what laws do you follow that drive the direction of your life? Positive laws will bring positive results, negative……
What’s Your Law? « Grow With Stacy…
We all live by natural laws and they have a profound impact on the outcomes of our lives. You might be surprised by some laws!…
Stacy, what an enlightened post! I love how you liken the law of attraction to newton’s law. Sometimes we think of the law of attraction as a “spiritual” law…which it is, but I think we forget the very physical impact it can have.
The reality of resistance is powerful. I used to live by this paradigm…the world is falling apart. Life is out to “get ya” and nothing will go right. (And if it does, you better watch out, because there’s something ‘wrong’)
Talk about insanity!
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Hi Steve,
Thank you very much! The LOA is both physical and spiritual. I agree that Murphy’s law is an insane way to live!
Stacy
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I have a series of them- Do it right the first time (which means we plan first). Do it NOW (no time like the present, and hup to it!). Do it for more than one reason!
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Hi Roy,
I’ve heard those too!
Stacy
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If you are going to do something, do it well. IF there could be such law! I used to live the Murphys law too, but I think I had enough will inside me to get what I wanted that a lot off things did work out.. I think now as I am making ( with awareness) the positive life changes that is where I am finding the resistance. I once met a lady named Pat Murphy, and guess what philosophy she lived by: yup she even quoted to me several things in her life that worked that way….
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Hi Holly,
It’s amazing what can be accomplished just by using awareness! It really helps with a positive life and dealing with resistance.
Thanks,
Stacy
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Hi Stacey,
I used to think about “Murphy’s Law,” and mentioned it in fun to someone the other day when my day was not going well. I now live by positive information, affirmation, meditation, love and fun.
I never really knew how “Murphy’s Law” came into existence and this is a nice bit of info. Thanks for the post. Sally
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Hi Sally,
It sounds like you are living with excellent laws now! You’ve come a long way from Murphy’s law!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
It baffles me how many people live by Murphy’s Law, in the name of “preparing themselves for bad things to happen.”
News Flash: If you prepare yourself for bad things to happen, they will. If you prepare yourself for good things to happen, they will. Change your perspective, change your choices, and watch how you gracefully mold your reality.
I stop on the hour, every hour, explicitly for this reason. I shift my energy. I remain aligned with what I am wanting, and prepare myself for good things to happen….and they do!
Thanks for sharing.
Ryan
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Hi Ryan,
I am interested in what you do every hour, it sounds like a really great way to keep perspective!
Thank you for sharing!
Stacy
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Why be so negative, why not- Everything that can go right will go right, just go ahead.
Suppose, Accidents can happen, so we shouldn’t walk on roads then. According to this theory, it will happen. I remember a story where a man was so fearful of his death that he closed himself in a room and died as a painting fell on his head. The moral of the story-Kick a** and get ahead in your life!
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Joshua,
Yes, people can really take it to the extremes like that! There are no guarantees in life so we may as well enjoy the ride!
Stacy
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“Try it — all you can do is fail” has been my rule since childhood, followed by “measure twice; cut once,” (from my grandfather) and then “put it down on paper, first” (checklist not treatise). But, I didn’t realize these were my rules, until you asked. Just did them. And, from early childhood, I made five-year plans of what I wanted to accomplish. Don’t know why; just did and it helped me be ready for opportunities that came knocking. Good post, Stacy! Come visit when you can.
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Hi Sharlene,
It sounds like you have been living by some great laws! Do you feel that they have served you well?
Stacy
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I grew up with “Be careful what you wish for…” reinforced by stories of Leprechauns or genies or witches you would twist your wish and give you a horrible version of what you want. It took me years to get rid of that sense of dread I’d get whenever I had a big wish. I also look at children’s books quite differently now, LOL.
I try not to create laws for myself actually, but to remove them. There is no black and white, no absolute anything. I find that just leads to judgments on my part.
Loved the story, thanks so much for sharing it.
Hugs,
Melody
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Hi Melody,
I remember that saying very well too! It reminds me of stories that I heard growing up about Aladdin’s lamp.
Thank you for sharing!
Stacy
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Nice article Stacy – I am a true believer in the power of a positive attitude. And yes, I’ve been called “naive” by some of my more murphy’s-law-like friends but I don’t care. I don’t do it to get anything other than I feel better focusing on the good stuff and people in life instead of burning energy on negativity. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Stacy Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Hi Marty,
I’ve had the same experiences with the Murphy’s of the world. Hopefully someday they will come around so that they too can enjoy life!
Stacy
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My dad taught me Murphy’s law, and I had to relearn how to be happy again by living in the positive world. Small world and we have something in common!
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Stacy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Hi Trudy,
It really is a process of relearning!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
I’ve always heard my ex-colleagues talk about Murphy’s law but I didn’t know the story behind the man; Mr Murphy – very interesting. Fortunately, when we usually talked about it, it is to make fun of someone who always ‘seem’ to do something wrong with the new software applications being developed (and he’s testing it). But guess what, even though we made fun of the situation, he really does do something wrong consistently! The point is, we always call forth the laws of the Universe either knowingly or unknowingly – so why not making it work for us, rather than against us?
- Rowena
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Stacy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Hi Rowena,
I agree that the laws are in effect whether we are using them knowingly or unknowingly. How much more effective will our lives be if we take that step to use them knowingly!
Stacy
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The law of belief and the law of sowing and reaping is the laws i adhere to among other things. The more you sow, the more you reap. And the law of belief is anything you believe wholeheartedly as a human will come true. This is why it is best to only believe in greatness, thus you will become and create.
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Stacy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Hi Jonathan,
Yes, the law of sowing and reaping is a very powerful one! Much like sowing a small seed reaps a large plant we create large benefits (whether positive or negative) in our life from small things!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
Ahhh, Mr. Murphy used to hold a prominent place in my life, as well. I lived by my own law … expect the worst and hope for the best. Talk about attracting the negative!
I have to say that it can be hard to break through life long ways of thinking. It takes time and consistent effort to think otherwise. Even today, when these thoughts creep into my head I need to start some positive self-talk to replace them.
It seems with me that it may be a life long project!
Thanks for the reminder, Stacy!
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Stacy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Hi Dr. Bob,
“Expect the worst and hope for the best” is one that I’ve heard too. Though it doesn’t work in reality because both positive and negative cannot take up the same space in our minds. We can only focus on and attract one or the other! You’re right it definitely takes time and effort to change our thinking!
Stacy
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I am prepared for the worst always but I do hope for the best, just like Bob. The fact that I am prepared for the worst doesn’t mean that I am expecting the worst to happen. I am just having a plan B. But I am all an optimist.
Thanks for the thoughtful post, Stacy.
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Stacy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Hi Jane,
That sounds like a good way to plan, I don’t think that having a plan B is expecting the best. It’s preparing!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
Although I think by living this type of law can be somewhat reassuring, it does not necessarily make you happier as you try to find every negative aspects of almost everything that it consumes both your personality and behavior.
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Stacy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Hi Felicia, that is very true!
Stacy
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I too have heard that story that fellow Joshua has stated, and I must say that I agree with that. Apart from that, we shouldn’t have negativity in our life, that will make it rot. Instead, what I urge people is to lead ahead with a positive outlook and a smile on the face, so that you inspire other people on the way.
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Stacy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Maria,
That is a great way to live! Thank you for sharing!
Stacy
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Interesting story. Sad if that was the true story of him passing.
I grew up being told “don’t expect things because they will never come”. Sometimes this is true, sometimes not so true. It mainly comes when dealing with money lol. Whenever I expect a higher amount on a paycheck or in my bank account, it’s never what I expected.
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Stacy Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
I agree that is sad if it’s true. I also find that law you shared sad, how can things come true if we don’t expect them? We will attract so much more negativity that way!
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Hey Stacy,
Isnt the “Everything that can go wrong will go wrong.”law such a terrible law!
Though I never really say those words, I used to live kinda of an indifferent lifestyle basically saying ‘what will be would be’. However since getting a hold of personal development I have come to see that ‘what we focus on expands’ and that we have the power to create.
Didnt know that’s the story behind Murphy’s law. Now I can explain it to my friends, if the need ever arise.
Thanks!
~Tosin
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Stacy Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 7:46 am
Hi Tosin,
I agree! It’s amazing the power that we have with just our thoughts!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
It certainly would be a depressing thing to always think that something was going to go wrong. I always thought Murphy’s law was kind of a comedic essay, not anything meant to be taken seriously. But. I suppose there are peoplle who took it the wrong way.
Thanks for a nice post.
Lou
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Stacy Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 7:50 am
Hi Lou,
It certainly is a depressing way to live!
Stacy
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Hi Stacy,
what a tragic death…isn’t it interesting. Chances are the law of attraction worked pretty well here.
I wouldn’t say that Mr. Murphy was completely wrong because there are weak spots in any system. The sooner we realize and fix them, the better.
A baby who starts crawling in the living room will detect the “dangerous” corners of the room, like cables, shelves, power outlets, plants etc.
That doesn’t mean that we as parents should always expect the worst when it comes to the consequences. I think here lies the emotional difference, do we expect the worst when it comes to the consequences ?
The difference might be also the knowledge and confidence that we are able to handle any consequences.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend invites you to read… What Are Your Beliefs About Work ?
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Stacy Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 8:00 am
Hi Oliver,
You bring up some great points, thank you for sharing! The parenting examples are very insightful!
Stacy
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I’m always for best but it doesn’t mean I’m not prepare for worst things.
I wasn’t aware about the Murphy’s law. So Thanks for sharing it.
Dev @ Social Media Marketing invites you to read… Social Media Marketing Strategies That Will Save Your Business!
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Stacy Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 8:06 am
Hi Dev,
I don’t believe that preparing and expecting are mutually exclusive.
Thanks,
Stacy
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The power of positive thinking is a mighty thing. It’s especially important during the tough economic times the world is facing. The more positive your point of view, the better things will seem for you. Keep a positive attitude out there, folks!
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Stacy Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 8:23 am
Lauren,
So true!
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It’s obvious your talking about Murphy’S Law. A person who puts the law of man on his hand to find justice and give him a negative result. The law of conscience is the best law for us to know. Because doing things against your conscience will surely gives you a negative result.But if your conscience urge you to do something and it is not against then you will have positive result.Conscience is given to us by the divine creator with this we have the power of will,the freedom to choose whether you go bad or good.
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Hi Stacy,
I also used to be a “glass half empty” kind of person. Always focusing on the negatives. I have since changed the way I think and if I had not, I fear that I would be in a much worse place than I am today.
There is no point in dwelling on negatives. The only person you are hurting is yourself. Thinking negatively, will lead to acting negatively and who wants to be around a negative person, no one.
I used to place blame on everyone else, but myself, for the things that went wrong in my life. Thankfully I have learned my lesson. Whenever you want to blame someone else for something that has gone wrong in your life. Take a look in the mirror first. You see that person looking back at you. They are the only one to blame for any negativity in your life.
That’s right, You! You are the only person who controls what happens to you.
Thanks for sharing Stacy and have a great day!
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I’m not sure how much of the Murphy’s Laws is true and how much is fiction, but i never took them as real. They’re just jokes. I can’t imagine anyone being so pessimistic about life.
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I really hate how many people use Murphy’s Law as an excuse not to attempt changing their lives. Yes, it is true, sometimes unfortunate things happen that are not within our control but let’s limit it to just those. With positive thinking and a good attitude we can find great outcomes for ourselves! Great article!
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Actually, we could set for our selves what laws we will impose upon us. As long it’s legal and will only bring peace and harmony within us and to the community. But of course, we can’t truly eliminate those trespassers of the law. All we could do is not to involve ourselves with them.
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Murphy’s Laws are just a way for scared people to protect themselves from the worst. Hey, maybe they don’t like bad news. Expect a bad news and you won’ be that shocked when it comes. It’s a way of like i can understand, though i don’t encourage.
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[...] What’s Your Law? - Murphy was known for his law of negativity, what law are you known for? [...]
The one ‘law’ which has always disturbed me is the one people use to validate their positions of intelligence. “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” Now THERE is a stupid law!
In case you aren’t sure which of murphy’s laws you follow, here are some:
1. Murphy’s Law
If something can go wrong, it will.
2. Murphy’s Law
If anything simply cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
3. Murphy’s Law
Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
4. Murphy’s Law
Matter will be damaged in direct proportion to its value.
5. Murphy’s Law
The chance of the bread falling with the buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.
6. Murphy’s Law
The buddy system is essential to your survival; it gives the enemy somebody else to shoot at.
7. Murphy’s Law
Technology is dominated by those who manage what they do not understand.
8. Murphy’s Law
The opulence of the front office decor varies inversely with the fundamental solvency of the firm.
9. Murphy’s Law
Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he’ll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he’ll have to touch to be sure.
10. Murphy’s Law
The first myth of management is that it exists.
11. If you drop an earring on a carpet, it will travel to the further, least accessible corner of the room.
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