Hi,

Here are some of the things I discovered after doing the day 2 exercises. Some beliefs that I used to live in are, Rich people aren't like us, Richness comes by spreading evil in the society, somebody got to have less if somebody else has more..I wonder if anyone can relate with these stupid beliefs that hold us back unconsciously.

Other things I used to hear a lot were:

1) ' We are middle class people'

My Dad used to say it, not anymore though after I interrupted him a few times. I believe it represents a self imposed identity. What else could it accomplish? Such a clear mental image it is ;-)

2) 'Making money is the toughest thing to do in the real world. Just try making a few bucks and you will know. '

Funny that it was said with a feeling of pride as if a big thing was being accomplished by making a few hundred bucks. I believe just the opposite because I had read Bill Gates saying 'Making money is the easiest thing to do in the world', but unconsciously this might have been stopping me, I wonder.

3) "Even the richest countries fall in economic crisis, who are we as individuals NOT to face economic problems"

I had heard this funny thing back in the past, just remembered while doing LL2.


I have written these down so that if anyone of us can relate with these beliefs, they can be removed right away!

Regards,

Armaan

This was a crucial exercise for me and a big discovery to be conscious of how I used to think - thank goodness we are all on the right track to a richer and more abundant life now!

Jo x

I've been subjected to many of those sort of comments the past couple of weeks. I've become very good at tuning out and picturing my CMI while everyone else casts themselves into depression over the state of their careers. I did hear one which I found interesting "the rich get richer while the poor get poorer." It was ssid to imply that the rich are doing something terrible to get their money, but my first thought was "the rich are thinking in abundunce and the poor are thinking of lack!" To me straight away it implied that the poor are simply not doing what the rich are doing, they're not thinking correctly! I think the great part of LL2 is that you don't have to delve deep to see the truth behind these quotes.

Shannon

Thank you Rebecca and all you wonderful guys for your contributions. It is really easy to miss some of these things as maybe they are unconciously moulded into us. Here are a few things that I hear all the time (and have uptill before reading SOGR agreed with):
1. What Shannon is saying : "the rich get
richer while the poor get poorer". This is a common thing looking at what is happening around. A clear example here in this part of the world (Africa to be exact), you will hear people saying: "it's only the fat cats in government or big business who are ripping the benefits while the poor man on the street is going to bed without food". I have also said it so many times before in the past to justify certain things. I hear it, read about it, see it on TV all the time.
2. Same applies to the idea of people complaining that it's hard for small businesses to survive as the big conglomerates are monopolising business. Isn't this what Mr Wattles describes as being on the competitive instead of being on the creative plane?
3. That money is hard or difficult to make. A brother of mine who is in business for himself keeps saying it when I call him to ask him how he is doing. I now agree that he is creating those circumstances for himself. I will sit with him and discuss the SOGR with him. I used to agree with him, but not anymore!
4. I have also just realised after LL2: (the story of the Mexican fisherman is both inspirational and insightful) that indeed sometimes we tend to define rich for ourselves depending on other people's standards. About two weeks ago there was a discussion in our work place concerning the definition of "rich". I heard some people for example shooting down their neighbours or friends for acquiring that 'big German car' (mind you German cars are the in thing this side!), yet they are this or that! After LL2 what I could only say at first was WOW! I can now see that what was happening was that people were not only defining their own ideas of 'rich' depending on others but trying to define those other people's ideas of rich.
Man, isn't it rich owning all what one wants for living all the life that one is capable of living?

Thank you all! I can see that I am really getting ready for success! Success to you all!

I got sent a chain email about friendship week and it had a quote in it like, "I am grateful God doesn't give me everything I ask for."
Well I am grateful because God does give me everything I ask for because I don't believe there are things He doesn't want me to have. While its great because its teaching gratitude, its also saying there are limits to what the universe and God will give you.

Thankgod I live in a world of abundunce!

Shannon

I found this an wonderfully insightful lesson, had me thinking for quite a few days. I really noticed my attitude going to work when I saw some people driving very expensive large cars with one person in them.

I was surprised at the intial reaction of - disgust at the wastage of resources eg fuel, metal, etc etc. It was amazing the feelings of anxiety, envy it brought up. As soon as I became aware of this I immediately went to blessing them for spending the money supplying people with jobs,of all sorts. Then I blessed them for the joy they would get from driving such a car and I blessed them for keeping the roads safer. WOW, the anxiety, envy just disappeared and I was able to smile for them and appreciate the beauty of the cars.

At lunch that same day a lady was walking down the street in a glorious, beautifully made obviously expensive outfit that looked fabulous on her. I found myself being pleased for her as I got to see something magnificent in a person looking their best. We both stopped at the crossing lights, I couldn't help myself - I turned to her and said "you look absolutely stunning in that outfit" She was a bit taken back then smiled brightly, the lights changed and we went our separate ways and I noticed she did so with a smile on her face, holding her head with pride. I found myself becoming happier as I had managed to share my pleasure and I got more back.

Meg

I thought it might be appropriate to recieve some suggestions here as my mother will be coming to stay with me shortly for a week or so.

My mother can be a negative person, even non SOGR people notice it and have commented on it.

She grew up during World War 2 & her mum went through World War 1 & 2 and the great depression. From what I gather her whole young life was about shortage and not enough and then she had her mother telling her about the bad times prior. For her it's always about keeping for the bad times and there are always bad times. The rich are bad, people etc etc, money doesn't grow on trees etc etc. Don't use the good stuff (cutlery, plates, linen table cloths, cloths)as it may get damaged and then the good stuff won't be good anymore. She watchs the news morning, noon and night and then always talks about how the world is going down the drain, AAAAAHHHHHHHH.

I am unsure how I am going to cope as I always got frustrated with her prior to SOGR.

Suggestions anyone.
Meg

First, Meg, I love it that you complimented the lady on the street. It's FUN, isn't it?

(Reminds me of that great quotation from Samuel Goldwyn, one of the founders of the MGM movie studio, who was most famous for saying things in a totally wacky way. But he got THIS statement right:

"When someone does something good, applaud! You will make two people happy."

We don't even have to wait for them to "do" anything. We can just look for something good and go with that!)

As for your mom, how about you start right now and begin to pave the way for a WONDERFUL visit? Start imagining it the way you'd LIKE it to be. Think of talking to your mom the way you spoke to that woman on the street even.

How about making her whole visit a celebration? You get to use the "good stuff" because SHE's here -- and so on.

What would happen if your TV was "broken" for the duration of the visit and you couldn't watch the news? Maybe you could lend it to someone, or ...

From what you've said here it sounds like you don't really know (for sure) your mom's life story. Well, maybe now's the time for it. Yes, you might have to hear some stuff about shortage and deprivation, etc., but think of the insight it would give you into her. You could listen with APPRECIATION and love. You could even turn it around afterwards to let her know how glad and grateful you are that she got through it so that the two of you can enjoy abundance today. (OK, you might have to go easy on that, maybe not, just feel your way.)

People LOVE to be listened to, paid attention to.

What would the IDEAL visit with your mom look like? Go for THAT!

Yes, complimenting people is great fun Rebecca.

Thank you for your suggestions with mum, I really appreciate it.

What you said has made me realise all I ever focus on when mum comes is the frustration I am going to feel. So of course it is a self forfilling prophecy.

Unfortunately the tv will have to stay as I live in the country so there is not much for mum to do, while I work. She also has no access to transport. I am sure that I will now be able to manage this in a positive way.
A) I won't join her as I use too. I never watch the news myself, years ago I found it did not benefit me.
B)If she gets involved with a story and wants to discuss it I will find a nice way to change the subject.

I am achieving great relief in changing how I view the whole visit. There is even now a tickle of pleasure at the idea of her staying which I am sure by the time she is here will a cause for great joy.

Meg

I just completed one and listened to two. I have not done the LL2. Maybe I'm afraid to start. I don't think so.

It was very interesting to read about some of the beliefs you have all identified. One of the things I have always struggled with is actually getting inside and figuring out what I believe. In some areas it is very clear but when it comes to money and finances I'm not sure what I believe.

I know what I am doing is not leading me down the path I want for myself or my family.

I do believe that I have always felt it would be bad to have an abudance. Maybe, it is more of a fear that I wouldn't be able to handle it or be a very good steward.

One saying that has always stuck with me was from a friend. He said, "Just remember, a bigger house just means a bigger mail box with a bigger stack of bills." I guess that always made me feel better to think that we are all in the same boat and maybe it isn't worth trying for more.

I can already see how there are many ways I can change my thinking and be more postive as I approach different situations.

John