Prosperity

I on this subject last week on FaceBook but thought I would review it...for my own purposes, if nothing else.

I find that when I'm focused on dollars and cents that I'm in the energy of lack. It's hard to manifest anything when you believe in lack or feel you are experiencing lack.

My business takes off when I am asking the question, "How may I serve?" This is a perspective of compassion and gratitude. Things start happening very quickly when I am looking at my work from this place.

I read for many clients who come to me saying, "I need, I need, I need..." And while I understand it's necessary to put one's experiences into words, "I need" is a phrase stemming from lack. It stems from "I do not have..."

"I need prosperity." This affirmation also demonstrated lack.

"I have prosperity." This is better, but there is improvement to be made.

"I AM prosperity made manifest, thank you for my wonderful prosperity and for filling every need." This rocks. Not only does it invoke the "I AM" name of Divine Spirit, it honors the "I AM" presence in you, aka: your Higher Self/Buddha nature/Spark of God.

If you are affirming "I AM prosperity", how could you have anything else BUT prosperity?

Because I, too, have my issues with prosperity, I have a gratitude journal. I write down everything I'm grateful for, sometimes for hours off and on. There truly is SO much that I do have. And I have to remind myself of this because I can get into grumpy "I need, I need, I need" mode, too.

Do you pray at mealtime? Many don't, and I have only recently developed the practice. I give thanks for the food and I say thank you for the lives of the animals that were sacrificed so that I could be nourished. I can't help but wonder if a blessed meal is more nourishing that one that isn't.

Affirm that "I AM" that which you desire. Pray as if you have already received it. Receive it graciously and gratefully. Say Thank You for what is provided. All are keys to an abundant life.

My Religion is Kindness--HH The Dalai Lama

I have a decree I give (like a prayer) that asks that whomever I'm in contact with today, let it be meaningful. Even if all I have to give them is kindness. It is my hope that anyone I have interaction with will come away from it feeling uplifted and appreciated.

The task is not as easy as one might think. There is an unusually high amount of discord in the neighborhood where I live and work. I'm noticing people having a difficult time tolerating one another. I'm especially noticing this driving on 39th Street. All you have to do is be stopped waiting to make a left turn and eventually, someone will pull up behind you, squeal their tires to get into the other lane to pass you, then reel it back into the left land to continue their journey.

I just stepped outside to mail a letter this afternoon and when I turned around to cross the street to go back to my office, I noticed a Yellow cab ready to turn left, which would have put him in my path. So I stood on the curb waiting until he turned or until I made eye contact with the driver so I could be sure he knew I was there.

Well, he began his left turn and as I stood there waiting for him to be on his way, he stopped and made this dramatic, furious arm gesture back and forth to be sure I knew that he wanted me to cross the street RIGHT NOW because he was late for I don't even know what...you really had to be there to see how overtly rude this man was being when I had absolutely no problem waiting for him to make his turn and drive past.

I find this fascinating.

How can we hope for anything better in our lives when we can't even tolerate others peacefully going on about their business?

I used to read a lot of blogs that seemed to criticize everything you can name but offered no solutions on how to improve things. Just the absence of bitching all the time is one way to improve things. I actually feel better not reading those blogs anymore.

What if...just for today...we were kind and tolerant with everyone we came in contact with, both here and on the streets? What if we offered real suggestions or volunteered to help where we see programs faltering? Maybe offer something substantial up front instead of waiting for something to fail and offering my least favorite hind-sight comment, "Well I coulda toldya that..."

Anything even remotely positive would be an improvement.

Living my Spirit

I've been thinking a lot about living my life in harmony with the Divine Spirit within me.

When I'm honoring my Spirit, I have inner peace and an external world full of wonderful surprises and discoveries.

When I'm not honoring my Spirit, my serenity is lost and I'm loaded with worry, anger, and concerns. When I'm not honoring my Spirit, I care what other people think about me and whether or not they "get" me or appreciate my contributions.

I'm not willing to live my life in a state of inner chaos anymore.

Honoring my Spirit guarantees good things will come from losses and disappointments.

I keep my heart open and keep moving forward.

What do you support?

I've been reading a lot of local blogs and I find many of them compelling.

I've enjoyed reading the sociological discussions. Some have been over my head,and hence, a wonderful learning opportunity. I've been very grateful for that.

A lot of blogs I've read have been ranting and raving about what's bad, what will never work, what we're against...is anybody FOR anything? If things aren't working, does anyone have a possible solution to the problem? Or is everybody an idiot, a d-bag, a moron, a failure, an obstacle to your happiness or convenience?

www.acomplaintfreeworld.com

I am going to try to go about my business, all week, without complaining. If something needs to be handled, I will bring it up in the most positive light possible and try to come up with a solution or two before I begin talking about it.

Developing.

Personal Responsibility.

If you're over 18, use some. If you're a minor, parents--teach some.

Seem simple? It is.

Appearances

I'm middle aged. I look like a middle aged woman. I'm shaped like a middle aged woman. That is what I am here to experience at this stage in my life. The middle part.

I've heard people say "40 is the new 30". I don't want to be 30. I've already done that. I want to experience 45. Just the way I am.

Why do we argue with reality? Why do we chase every experience except the one that is before us?

I celebrate being a woman. I celebrate my hard earned wisdom. I wear a bindi jewel on my forehead. It's there among the wrinkles and laugh lines.

I celebrate being middle aged.

Debt Free

I'm working on a debt management plan that will have me completely debt free in four years. I recommend it.

I have been carrying a credit card balance for several years, hoping for a miracle to get ahead on the payments. Just before the new legislation passed (and it became illegal), the credit card company upped my rate to 29.99%. I would never have gotten out of debt with all that interest.

It was a difficult thing to look at because I had a lot of shame attached to the fact that I got into debt in the first place. But it's done and there's actually a beginning and an end to it. The company I used, Money Management International, also helped me create a budget I can live with while I'm in the program.

And it doesn't affect my credit rating. I can finish the program and start looking at owning a house.

Credit counseling has come a long way.