Forgiveness! It is such an important thing upon which to focus, for all of us. I did not realize, until recently,
how much I was personally in need of that focus, and to discover that most importantly,I needed to forgive myself. It
became apparent as I was working with my transformational coach, Christine Michel (see http://www.Livingvisionscoaching.com) that forgiveness was what I needed in both my personal as well as my professional life. As I began to focus upon forgiveness,
it became clear that forgiveness of self is first, then forgiveness of others.
I do want to share with you a transformational
book that you may desire to read. This book has shifted much within me, as I know it will for you. The
book is by Paul Ferrini and is entitled THE 12 STEPS OF FORGIVENESS. In his book, he speaks
to the heart of the matter, guiding each of “us skillfully beyond shame, blame and attachment to our wounds into the
depths of self-forgiveness.” (see below to order)
I believe that FORGIVENESS relates to money at a core level. Money
is spent, circulated, and used every day and through most of that activity, we are completely unaware that it is done from
emotion. We buy what we want from that emotion, and then we justify it with logic in our heads. With the understanding that
emotion is in the driver’s seat,  then most certainly if we have something within us that needs forgiving, we will spend with that emotion. If we are, for instance,
angry with someone, we then go out and about buying things with that very anger making the decisions. Not to mention how we
are probably treating others or ourselves along the way! I want to share with you a process that I believe would
be helpful in working with the emotion of spending; a process I have found works for me. The process is
to simply STOP in the moment you are buying something, just before you go through that checkout line (yes
even when you are on-line), and notice how you feel. STOP. BREATHE. FEEL. Take
the time to become aware of why you are thinking of buying that which you planned to buy. Is it a spur of the moment purchase
or something you planned on buying? Notice if you are feeling sad, angry, depressed, or lonely. If you STOP long
enough to feel it, there will be that brief opening, an opportunity for you to put down the purchase and walk out of the store.
In fact, I suggest you do that anyway … put down the item, walk out of the store, and breathe. Click on the cover of the book below to
order your own copy. I do want to share one last thing with you, Always remember... “The process of forgiveness
begins within your own heart!” Paul Ferrini
How Can
we Hang on to More of our Money?
The Ever-Slippery Slope 
Today I sit
here with my dogs, happily enjoying a new laptop. It is fascinating to me that a computer is so light and easy to use these
days and that you can hook up to the internet wherever you like. It does make writing and staying connected so much easier.
However, it also points out to me the very thing that we all struggle with these days and that is all the fun things
that we may be desiring and yet at the same time wanting our savings, retirement funds, and other investment monies to grow.
How can we possibly have it all and build for our future at the same time? That seems to be the ever-slippery slope of money
we are all trying to navigate.
Of course, by just suggesting that money is slippery
I led you down a certain path, did I not? Even if you hadn’t thought of money in that manner, just by speaking to it
in that way I opened up the possibility that money can be or is difficult to manage. That it somehow keeps
slipping through your fingers and there is no hope of keeping any. Many of us have been raised with that
belief. Some of us may not even realize the suggestion comes from that early period in our lives. Not to mention the advertising
and marketing that surrounds us, this feeds right into that fear.
Were you aware that the credit card industry alone has more advertising on the internet than
any other financial services? Without realizing it, we are being told to have it all, buy it all, and have it now.
It is no wonder we feel the need to give in to instant gratification. Somehow, if we do not have it, then something is missing
and we must find a way to fill that emptiness.
Do these ads ring a bell? “Visa – All You Need,”
“Visa – All It Takes,” or possibly “My Life, My Card,” or even “Make
Life Rewarding!” These are just a few of the slogans that are drummed in our ears every day on the television,
radio, internet, and in print media. Do they ring true for you? Have they become so second nature that somehow they resonate
to your core? When you hear them, do they feel familiar, friendly, and helpful? Certainly, for many of us they speak to the
very desire we have to have it all now. Moreover, because we hear these messages in so many places it then somehow begins
to feel like truth for us.
What is the truth about money? The truth is that money is just energy and it is available to us all in abundance.
In fact, I have heard it likened to the air we breathe. We breathe in and out without questioning whether we took in too much
or not enough or even if there was air to breathe in the first place. Just like air, money is abundant and always present.
However, somehow we have allowed ourselves to believe that it is not. Not to mention we have come to believe there is not
enough so we must have credit to buy what we want, need, or desire. Yet truly, there is no need for credit at all. It is the
very nature of our society to believe we must have car loans to buy cars, mortgages to buy houses, and credit cards to have
things.
In all my research and spiritual seeking, I have yet to find one resource that speaks to the truth of the universe that you
must have credit to buy something. Nowhere is that written as truth. It is only what we have been led to believe and accept
as truth. Once we recognize this fact, it can then be dispelled. We then have the opportunity to make other
choices, set other intentions, and forge forward onto another path. It is at that point you have the joy of doing so much
more with your money and of manifesting more.
Credit
keeps you stuck. It holds you hostage to having to use more and more. I am of the belief that it can be used wisely, however,
only once you realize it is not required, necessary, or needed for your enjoyment of life and living.
QUOTES:
"You want 21% risk free? Pay off your credit cards."Andrew Tobias (author [The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need] Treasurer
of the Democratic National Committee)
"Life was a lot simpler when what
we honored was father and mother rather than all major credit cards."
Robert
Orben (US magician and comedy writer, b. 1927)
Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift... The hangover comes
the day after. Dr. Joyce Brothers
|
