Quick one right now.

The major headline in one of our local newspapers today - "BUDGET DEFICIT" - will no doubt sow the seeds of indecision, doubt and fear in the minds of some folks over in my corner of the world - even though it doesn't have to, now or ever.

Of course - and I do not say this to boast - I am probably a rare sort, compared to many, in that I have for the most part insulated myself from the full brunt of such negative destructive suggestions. That is not to say I have achieved total immunity (one day, perhaps), but at least I am at a point where I accept as a simple fact, that such comments need have no effect on me, and, so long as I exercise vigilance, they won't.

Just as an example, my train of thought regarding the existence of any "budget deficit" generally runs along this line - it implies simply that the current Administration may not be in an immediate position to pursue their "full slate" of projects or exercises during this fiscal year. Be that as it may, such a condition need have absolutely no bearing upon my ability to realize any objective in respect of personal prosperity or accomplishment - regardless of the actual means by which that
objective may be realized.

And Mr. Wattles makes that point rather clear throughout SOGR - one such example follows here:

"Never speak of the times as being hard, or of business conditions as being doubtful. Times may be hard or business doubtful for those on the competitive plane, but they can never be so for you. You can create what you want, and you are above fear."
- Chapter 16 - "Some Cautions and Concluding Observations"

Compared to the "alternartive", Wally's recommendation certainly constitutes a wonderful way to go about one's affairs.

So, as (Capt.) Jean-Luc Picard says on occasion:

"ENGAGE."

Great advice, ITISIWAYNE! Your post reminds me of Zig Ziglar. Who commented that no matter what state the economy was in, there were always people who were getting rich. Driving fancy automobiles and so on. I listened to him in such a way that whenever a news flash manages to reach me (not very often since I don't go out looking for them) it does not land inside my heart. There is no room in my mind for that type of impossibility thinking.

No matter how bad the economy is. People still need/want to eat, play, travel and all those other activities that cannot be done without products or services. Round the corner here there is a small business. They sell, rent and repair just one musical instrument. Don't know how they do it in such a specialized business but it appears healthy and prosperous. I guess they are doing what they love to do

quote:

So, as (Capt.) Jean-Luc Picard says on occasion:

"ENGAGE."

There is a lot to be said for this. Captain Jean-Luc said "engage" and he never doubted that it would be done. Sort of like our letting go after we have seen our wishes and enjoyed them as if we already own them. He had a crew and a vessel that were designed and trained to obey his commands.

And so do we. We just need to remember to write the screenplay.

God bless you,

Caroline
My Gift To You: 50,000 Guaranteed Visitors To Your Site

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I am probably a rare sort, compared to many, in that I have for the most part insulated myself from the full brunt of such negative destructive suggestions. That is not to say I have achieved total immunity (one day, perhaps), but at least I am at a point where I accept as a simple fact, that such comments need have no effect on me, and, so long as I exercise vigilance, they won't.

Ditto that! That's why I got rid of TV and use it only to watch what I want on video tape or DVD. YIPPEE!

Yes, vigilance and persistence are indeed key here, especially for me.

quote:

Just as an example, my train of thought regarding the existence of any "budget deficit" generally runs along this line - it implies simply that the current Administration may not be in an immediate position to pursue their "full slate" of projects or exercises during this fiscal year. Be that as it may, such a condition need have absolutely no bearing upon my ability to realize any objective in respect of personal prosperity or accomplishment - regardless of the actual means by which that
objective may be realized.

So true and RIGHT ON Wayne. That's like saying that because my neighbor is "poor" and can't pay her bills that I have to be poor too. Any "deficit" is simply a mindset. Our local New Hampshire economy is supposedly in trouble, and yet I see more new road construction and blacktopping than in all the time I have lived in this state since 1985! And restaurants are always full on weekends. I feel like Zig Ziglar must have felt when he made the comment that Caroline quoted.

Love Picard's "ENGAGE". That's a good trigger word to program into my subconscious mind for prosperity.

I'm just quipping in to say...hi my fellow Trekkies.

My favourite captain is Janeway and her slogan is: Do it!

quote:

Originally posted by Nirakia:
I'm just quipping in to say...hi my fellow Trekkies.

My favourite captain is Janeway and her slogan is: Do it!

Karen, did you know there is a hidden message in Do it? DOnt quIT.

quote:

"Never speak of the times as being hard, or of business conditions as being doubtful. Times may be hard or business doubtful for those on the competitive plane, but they can never be so for you. You can create what you want, and you are above fear."

I really really believe this and I try to apply it but it's getting more and more difficult to do it.
I was going to start a new thread to tell this but I'll just do it here.

I was hit with bad news from family and it hit me hard I tried to apply everything I had learnt here and with A-H and I haven't been able to manage. I know there was nothing I could do and that I did everything I could but I got criticism that I should have done more and I thought if I didn't believe it; it wouldn't have upset me. And that started a series of feelings in me and started blaming everybody for making me feel this way. My friends tell me all the time that they can’t talk to me anymore because I don’t understand that whining and complaining and gossiping is a way of unwinding. They like to go over and over when something is bothering them and they want things to change but they don’t change anything.
My family thinks I don’t care because I don’t sit and cry with them, etc, etc. I am very good at understanding them and saying that their reality is different than mine and all that. I also know that the way I feel is my responsibility and nobody else. BUT I still have this feelings so I feel stupid and weak and undeserving and I start noticing all the bad things I am attracting and I get more and more upset with myself knowing that I shouldn’t. I’ve done the work with a lot of people and issues and it is a good thing for me but I haven’t been able to do it with myself. I am to judgmental of ME. I think I should know better and blah blah blah.

I know what I should be doing (EFT; Meditation, focus wheel, gratitude list, etc) but I am too lazy to do anything anymore; I am lost and I can’t find me. I feel like a failure for letting myself get to this point because something bad happened; I was doing okay as long as nothing happen to anyone I love. I am still inside me I know that but I don’t know how to come back. Any suggestions?

As always very very grateful for this forum.

Lots of love

Luz Maria
P.S. Nirakia my favorite captain is also Janeway. My favorite Picard phrase is Make it so!

quote:

Originally posted by Sui Generis:
I am still inside me I know that but I don’t know how to come back. Any suggestions?

I'll "do some research", then give a response - if you prefer, I'll "PM" it.

quote:

My family thinks I don’t care because I don’t sit and cry with them, etc, etc. I am very good at understanding them and saying that their reality is different than mine and all that. I also know that the way I feel is my responsibility and nobody else.

An interesting observation I had recently was when my partner had a situation arise at work that sent her into a spiral downwards, I listened to her but did not want to say anything (thinking that I was being present and just allowing her to vent) but when she asked me if I could give her any words of comfort, I said No (I didn't know what to say to her).

This had her feel even worse and when we discussed it further (as to why I couldn't be more compassionate), it turned out that I had shut myseelf down so as to avoid the pain (i.e. her being in pain triggers my pain and so to avoid this, I shut my heart).

On the one hand I thought I was taking the higher road by not wanting to get lost in the negativity but on the other hand, I had suppressed my true feelings and hoped it would all be fine by just telling myself I'm being positive (this happened unconsciously).

I realise now that there is a balancing act that happens, between being aware of when we get triggered by situations so that we can take steps to clear the energy blockage (i.e. with EFT or The Work for example) and not consciously exposing ourselves to negativity just to get in touch with the pain.

Luz Maria, I feel that I understand your pain and I encourage you to let it out, allow yourself to cry or do whatever you need to to release the energy, from there you may feel some relief that will enable you to take the supportive actions you mentioned.

Mich Love,
Angelo

Hi Luz Maria,

You shared quite a bit here. I am trying to find the right words to write.

Maybe you are experiencing a fear of rejection that if you continue to live your life in the certain way that people will turn away from you and that (insert fears here) will happen.

Perhaps you think that you may come across as uncaring or without compassion and you feel guilty for it.

Whatever the reason may be all you can do is continue to do the work and be true to yourself. There will be people who reject you or who don't understand where you are coming from.

You know what? It's okay if they don't.

When I came out as a gay man to my friends and family I experienced some rejection, judgements, etc from some. I was even accused of being uncarring.

For me, growing up as a child and knowing exactly what I was feeling and worried about what the world thought of me could have destroyed me.

Fortunately, I learned very quickly at a young age that I am not responsible for how someone feels towards me or what they believe to be true. Even from those closest to me. This included my own mother.

After years of living my truth and being a kind person who speaks about possibilities, love, peace, acceptance, forgiveness with family, friends, and people, many who were against me are now my biggest supporters.

It was not my job to change them. My only responsibility was to be a vessel for love.

It's funny this exact language may cause people to roll their eyes at you but when you believe it and live it without fear they will at some point recognize it for themselves. Once this happens, for some, the first person they will turn to is you.

Appreciation from the Heart,

Richard De Haven

Hi Luz Maria,
All I can say is that you are loved. Know that you are loved beyond measure by the Universe. When I feel down and stuck, I repeat this to myself. I am glad that you are sharing and not stuffing feelings, love what Angelo said, so true!

We're here for you Luz Maria!

I am deeply moved by the love and compassion I see on this thread, especially from Richard and Angelo; you guys just ROCK!

LuzMaria,

I join Julia in saying you are loved. I am grateful to know you and I know that you will find a beautiful path back to your true luminous self.

Meanwhile.....
Part of being a human being on this planet is to experience life -- including all those powerful emotions. You can forgive yourself for being sad, scared, lonely, or whatever you feel. Just noticing your feelings without judgment can help you to create some distance from them.

Sometimes when I'm feeling very emotional, I decide to enjoy it. I wallow in it, indulge in the exquisite flavor of it. I imagine myself a tragic heroine. I go through my day in a haze of tears and bravely smile and do my work despite the pain. Sometimes this lasts for days or even weeks. Eventually, after a while of not fighting it at all, it gets boring. I end up letting it go because I'd just rather be doing something else. Okay, so I'm a bit a drama queen. This may not work for everyone.

It's also perfectly okay NOT to feel what others around you are feeling. You don't have to TELL them you don't feel it. You can appreciate their pain without participating in it -- like when you watch a movie. You appreciate what the characters are feeling, but you don't take ownership of it. As Richard said, just love your friends and family. Appreciate who they are, what they have to give and to teach you and how they reflect your own inner thoughts back to you. If they say mean things to you, you get to practice focusing on the truth -- that you can't possibly control their inner experience. You can only control your own -- theirs is up to them.

This was brought home to me very clearly one day when I really needed it. I was walking down the street, crossing at a crosswalk -- following all the rules and signals -- when some guy in a truck decided that I was in his way and leaned out to shout an obscenity at me. I was shocked, but then I grinned with gratitude for the lesson. I was doing everything right and he was still upset. Other people's emotions are NOT my fault or responsibility. They aren't even within my power. I had been trying to make other people happy, but this random guy showed me that making people happy is not only unnecessary, it's impossible. Thanks random guy!

Anyway, you were probably feeling a lot better before you opened this post, but I hope it brought a smile to your face.

Love and blessings,
Rachel

quote:

Originally posted by ITISIWAYNE:

quote:

Originally posted by Sui Generis:
I am still inside me I know that but I don’t know how to come back. Any suggestions?

I'll "do some research", then give a response - if you prefer, I'll "PM" it.

I'm back.


There have been many fine contributions by others, so I'll just add some that might not have been raised until now.

Your comment to the effect that "you are doing okay as long as nothing happens to anyone you love", would suggest that, to use Wattles' terminnology, you were actually "thinking and acting according to appearances", or, as the gentlman from Toronto, CA, puts it, "letting the outside world dictate how you think, feel and act". I'm certain that your personal experience and understanding of the SOGR would clearly indicate that such a mental attitude puts you in the position of a victim, who has virtually surrendered control over their personal world.

Fortunately, you don't have to operate like that. Sticking to Wattles' terminology for a moment, his proposition that you or I should think "truth regardless of appearances" - whether it be for the pursuit of wealth, health, or anything else - is not so that we can control or determine what happens to anyone else (something Wattles advises against attempting), but only for the purpose of exercising control
over our individual world. And that includes RESPONDING, rather than REACTING, when things happen to others in your world.

BTW, the second line that you use to "sign-off" your postings contains something of great value. Stay tuned - unless someone gets to it before I do.

Hi Luz Maria

The following is part of a great reply by Rebecca to a recent post that I find to be applicable here!
===========================================
In the Practical GeniusesTM online course I offered my own version of the well-known "Serenity Prayer" from Reinhold Niebuhr and made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous. The original says:

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

The PG version says: "Grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the person I can, and the wisdom to know that person is me."

===============================================

Hope this helps!

I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude for all the loving responses; after I wrote this I felt a lot better and I started processing what I was thinking and it felt good. It is difficult sometimes to expose yourself as I did in this post but I have no regret it was the right choice. Thank you.

quote:

Luz Maria, I feel that I understand your pain and I encourage you to let it out, allow yourself to cry or do whatever you need to to release the energy, from there you may feel some relief that will enable you to take the supportive actions you mentioned.

I tried to do this and I cried but my mind got full of thoughts telling me to think something happy and change the way I was feeling and I think subconsciously I faked the feeling; I am letting all this unfold but I am not without worry of the outcome. Thank you Angelo.

quote:

Whatever the reason may be all you can do is continue to do the work and be true to yourself. There will be people who reject you or who don't understand where you are coming from.

Dear Richard, as many of the SOGR teachings I do understand this and I do believe it but I don’t know how to achieve it; I’ve done it I’ve been there; but I don’t know my way back and I will find it again but I would like to remember how to find it again if I get lost. :P It is admirable what gay people do to be true to themselves; I don’t know if I could do it and be rejected by everyone I love even though I would know that I can’t make them be or do anything and that they would not be responsible for the way I would feel. I guess I am not ready to give up on everything and everyone I ever known. But what make me think I would lose them just because I think differently? Maybe this belief is keeping me for going farther in these teachings. What do you think? This forum is the only connection I have to this teaching; the only people who speak my language; I feel isolated. Wow I really have issues. Thank you I’ll tap on this.

quote:

Luz Maria,
All I can say is that you are loved. Know that you are loved beyond measure by the Universe. When I feel down and stuck, I repeat this to myself. I am glad that you are sharing and not stuffing feelings, love what Angelo said, so true!

We're here for you Luz Maria!

Julia I do feel the love; I think it is what gives me the courage to expose myself; thank you dear Julia you are an inspiration. Grazie.

quote:

Anyway, you were probably feeling a lot better before you opened this post, but I hope it brought a smile to your face.

Indeed you did Rachel; and I am feeling better; I love your sense of humor and your insight; I’ve read many of your posts and they always leave me something. Thank you.
Wayne: you wrote:

quote:

I should think "truth regardless of appearances"

WW was right when he said that mental work was the hardest; my intellect understands these teaching very well; and do believe them to be true; I have faith that if I follow them I will reach my objectives (CMA); the difficulty that I face is how do I achieve this; how I see truth regardless of appearances?

About my second signature line I truly believe that I am an extension of what we call God and there have been moments when I have felt it so strong and I still do sometimes but it doesn’t last.
Knowing all this it only makes it worse the way I’ve been acting and thinking; I can’t blame ignorance; just me.

I don’t know if I ever said this before but I tend to sabotage everything good that I do. For example; I know that if I meditate it helps me to let go and align; I have found myself telling me that it’s not necessary that I can do without. I am losing weight and I keep finding thoughts of: “you can eat anything and still lose weight” which I don’t believe because if I did believe it; it would be true.

Thank you so much for the responses they really help and I feel cared for; just writing makes me realize what I need to correct.

Thank you again my friends;

Lots of love

Luz Maria

Tom: When Rebecca posted that I made a poster and is right by my bed. I know it is I the one who needs to change and that is why I am so hard on myself. And I know I shouldn't.

thank you Tom my strong friend

Lots of love

Luz Maria

Luz Maria,

Would you be this hard on your best friend? You can be as loving, forgiving and supportive to yourself as you are to others. You deserve it.

Love and blessings,
Rachel

Hi again Luz Maria!

Continue working towards being the person that you want to be, doing the things that you want to do and having the things that you want to have! Be an example that people want to follow! Some will follow your example, some won't; but you have done your part!

quote:

Originally posted by Sui Generis:


[QUOTE]I know there was nothing I could do and that I did everything I could but I got criticism that I should have done more and I thought if I didn't believe it; it wouldn't have upset me.

Luz, you were given a great gift. Your name! You are light, and you are loved, not just by the universe, but by many here. Is there anything you could do about the above situation? Is it any of your business to do so? Rebecca says, there is my business, your business, and God's business. I wrote about that a few months back. There are some things that feel quite awful, but really are not any of your business. Criticism, as much as it stings, is not any of your business. Whomever is doing the criticizing, they are free to feel however they want. And you are free to reject whatever it is they are sending your way, just like Rachel's example. You can be loving and kind and understanding without rolling around in the mud so to speak.

quote:

I am attracting and I get more and more upset with myself knowing that I shouldn’t. I’ve done the work with a lot of people and issues and it is a good thing for me but I haven’t been able to do it with myself. I am to judgmental of ME. I think I should know better and blah blah blah.

Why should you? You do. That is ok. Sometimes you just have to feel the way you do, until you feel like doing something about it. Just go back to noticing your thoughts and questioning them. The fact is, this is a process. We don't become perfect enlightenment in an afternoon. We do the best we can with the experiences that come our way. Then if we are smart, we evaluate and see what pearls are contained and begin weaving a beautiful necklace of pearls. Sometimes, taking a break is needed. Then when you are ready to use EFT, or be in gratitude every day, or read a chapter or do a PG lesson, you can do that.

From your tagline, if you were God, looking down at you in these circumstances, how do you think he would see things? He loves you just as you are, perceptions and all. If it helps, I was pretty discouraged myself last week. And then Saturday, I had my weekly Mastermind call, and the topic was persistence. I really needed that and it lifted my spirits. Be persistent. Just keep going. And when you are down, share here as you did.

You are light and joy and love. You can do it. I have faith in you. Hugs and love to you.

quote:

I guess I am not ready to give up on everything and everyone I ever known. But what make me think I would lose them just because I think differently? Maybe this belief is keeping me for going farther in these teachings. What do you think?

First of all, you are not giving up on anything or anyone. If you come from a place of love without judgment of where you believe they are at in their path they will respond with love.

Everything that you think may not be the same as I think or that someone else may think. We may have similar thoughts and beliefs but I'd be willing to bet that we also hold different beliefs.

It's no different than your family and friends. I bet you hold beliefs that are the same and many that are different. Instead of dwelling on what's wrong, dwell on the similar beliefs that you hold.

My gut feeling is that your family and friends will not reject you but will rejoice with you when you allow yourself to be true to the thoughts you want to hold.

Give them time and I bet they will come to respect your thoughts and beliefs. Respond with love and kindness and they will do the same.

One more thing, we don't have to tell someone we don't want to hear about their complaining, etc. Simply ask them if they would be willing to hear some advice that could help them with their current situation. Most will say yes.

Then proceed with some questions. You can even use the questions from Byron Katie or a set of questions that you can use with anyone that can diffuse a situation and move it in a different direction without judgment.

Appreciation from the Heart,

Richard De Haven

quote:

One more thing, we don't have to tell someone we don't want to hear about their complaining, etc. Simply ask them if they would be willing to hear some advice that could help them with their current situation. Most will say yes.

I so agree with you Richard! And in my better moments I realize that even that is unnecessary. They are complaining because they choose to feel bad and focus on their bad feelings. Who am I to try to change their minds? If they really want advice, usually people ask for it. If they don't ask, they probably won't listen anyway. As long as I realize that their pain is their choice and not my responsibility, I can sympathize with them from an emotional distance, without feeling the need to fix it.

I can love them, appreciate what they contribute to my life and also let them be in whatever emotional place they want. After all, their negative emotions don't effect ME -- and I really can't fix their life for them. Trying to fix anyone else is an exercise in frustration, as we all well know.

This reminds me of one of my favorite jokes:
Q: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Only one -- but it's very expensive, it takes a long time, and the light bulb has to really want to change.

Love and blessing,
Rachel