Few will disagree that we are being pummeled daily by the media with how bad things are today.

If we are not mindful, it's easy to get seduced into agreement with that opinion because the evidence seems to be so overwhelming.

As a mindfulness practice, I have been giving a lot more attention to the words that come out of my mouth.

When I listen very closely I continue to be amazed that, even after 30-plus years of studying the power of the universe and how it supports my deepest beliefs, I at times still catch myself agreeing with the prognosticators of doom. I can hear it reflected in my conversations with others.

After some selfinquiry, I discovered why it is so seductive to agree with negative news: It makes it easier to come up with justifiable excuses for whatever less than wonderful things may be going on in our lives at any particular moment.

In other words, it makes what's not working in our lives more acceptable to ourselves and others.

When we buy into that belief it is like baiting the trap of a selffulfilling prophesy and then stepping into it.

Once, many years ago, I heard my teacher say, "Argue for your limitations and they are yours." Understanding the way the universe works, I think there is profound wisdom in those words.

If we are totally honest with ourselves we will admit that it is often easier to live with our discomforts and challenges than to initiate mindfulness and become the conscious observer of the beliefs, thoughts and actions that may be supporting them.

Why? Because once we are aware that we may be thinking down, rather than up, we become responsible for changing our perspective, and change is something most of us avoid at almost any cost, even at the expense of inner peace, joy, health and a sense of fulfillment.

As a mindfulness practice, I invite you to take a moment for selfinquiry. What are you thinking right now about these ideas?

What are you thinking about the challenges or apparent limitations in your experience today?

Take a look at those areas in your life where you might unknowingly be arguing for your limitations by justifying why things are the way they are rather than challenging them.

If you find that you are settling for certain limitations and the restrictions they bring rather than challenging them and moving in a proactive manner to improve them, pause and examine the logic of it all.

Look at your physical and emotional health, relationships, finances, career and even your spiritual growth. If there is a sense of limitation in any of these areas, check in with yourself and see what you find.

Listen closely to your habitual thoughts and especially your spoken words. Are you arguing for your limitations?

This is an important first step in changing your life forever because the universe has ears. It is always listening, and it can't take a joke.

The blessing and the curse of the universal Law of Cause and Effect is that it only knows one word: "Yes!"

Truly, argue for your limitations and they are yours.

Dennis Merritt Jones is a local spiritual mentor, keynote speaker and author of the book "The Art of Being: 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life." Contact him at www.DennisMerrittJones.com.