You Are Rich If...

You Are Rich If...

You remember the image of something so exquisitely beautiful it took your breath away.

You can hear a friend's words of encouragement still ringing in your ear.

You remember one wise thing a caring adult told you.

You remember a time when laughter caused tears to run down your cheeks and you to double over to catch your breath.

You have any holiday tradition that you still insist on following, no matter how trivial or crazy.

You have someone with whom you have no secrets, some who knows you well and loves you because of it.

You know how it feels to have your heart expand with love.

You like yourself and demonstrate it by treating yourself well.

You know what brings you joy and you create it purposefully.

You have a happy memory that lights you up on dark days.

You see the cup half full, and know you are holding the pitcher to fill it.

You love freely without judgment, just because it's who you are.

You have released past hurts as there is no remedy.

You embrace the present moment because it is the only time you have.

You have someone to call who will brighten up by hearing your voice.

You know there is no one to blame and no longer go looking for them.

You believe you are beautiful in every way.

You notice and appreciate small joys, wonders and gestures as well as the big ones.

You believe in yourself and others.

Someone lights up when you walk in the room.

You have loved and been loved by a dog.

Every day you find something for which to give thanks.


I give thanks for you for...

...finding the sunlight and walking in it even when the world wants to tell you it is raining and there's more to come.

...loving life because you're breathing--and it beats what is in second place.

...bringing a smile to someone's face by putting one on your own.

...taking the time to appreciate the presence of another in your life.

...reaching out to say "Thank you" for the small things that touch your heart and mind.

...living your truth, no matter what those around you have to say about it.

...remembering that life is a journey to be experienced fully, not a destination to reach or a race to be won.

...being ever aware of the gift of Life in every moment, opening it and being delighted with whatever is in the package.

...and for being a center of peace, love and well-being--on purpose.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Many blessings, much love and great joy,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Spiritual Living Network
www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com

What About Prayer?

This morning I was continuing to read a book that called to me from the shelves in a trendy, cool bookstore. I was attracted to it but left it behind twice. The third time, I bought it. And, it is well-written, content-rich...and demanding. The book is called Praying Dangerously by Regina Sara Ryan. The title is provocative but the content is mind-rocking and earth-shaking. Enough said, you might want to read it.

So, what about prayer? As a young person, I was taught that it was all about petition and bartering. A good example of that would be:

"If I'm not pregnant this time, God, I promise I'll never do it again!"

You know, that kind of thing.

Help me now and I'll be good forever. Somehow as though I could go and cast myself down in front of that celestial, anthropomorphic being who was in charge of making decisions and plead my case. On a whim, that Being would make a decision on my sincerity...maybe.

Not so anymore. My view of prayer has changed radically and Regina's book shows that both she and I shared this journey to some understanding. She's obviously given it more research and thought lately!

In light of the last two posts on prosperity, I'm going to tie the idea of prayer into our likely shared request for abundance. First, I know that abundance is not able to be parsed: I'll get an abundance of everything, not just the good stuff. (Now, that's not what they tell you in the books with airy covers, is it?) So, maybe abundance is a questionable request.

There is great value in difficult times. Often our prayer is to have the difficulty removed, and that seems logical. But, how many times have you looked back on a seeming disaster--or, at least, a challenge, and seen the growth and the good it brought you? I certainly have. And, that's not just putting a rosy spin on horrible moments. They did bring insight, understanding or experiences that just couldn't be found in "the perfect life."

It's downright unpopular to suggest that a spiritual life is a difficult life. Even that popular phenomenon, The Secret, suggested you could have only all the good you want. If you just knew "The Secret." I can't help but wonder how many people read that book, felt inspired, found that they didn't get everything they wanted and moved on to the bookstore, looking for something else!

So, what about prayer? Another book I enjoy is The Path of Prayer by Sophie Burnham, another take on the subject with a different perspective than Regina's book. Both thought-provoking. Sophie wrote:

"What is prayer? It is quite simply a yearning of the heart....It is thought concentrated and distilled. ...Prayer is the irresistible urge of our human nature to contact and communicate with the source of love, with the energy of the universe. ...Prayer is communication with our highest spiritual part, with the state of loving and of being loved. ...What is prayer? It is a tool provding strength and energy."

So, what is prayer to you? Let's talk about it here.

Prayerfully,
Rhoberta

More Thoughts on Prosperity, God and Guidance

I hope yesterday's post was provocative for you. It was affirming for me. I believe that what Ernest Holmes says is true: we definitely can demonstrate a control of conditions. As he told us: we do not take what we wish, but we do attract to ourselves that which is like our thought.

That is never more evident than in the case of anxiety, fear and panic. There's a lot of that going on these days, as the media whips up the frenzy as well as shares the facts! So, if we believe that we attract to ourselves that which is like our thought, panic attracts panic, anxiety attracts anxiety, and so on. It makes sense that in the face of possible fear, we do the opposite and do what we know to do to create calm.

When I'm working on myself, working with clients, or talking with friends, and the talk turns to what's going to happen, I've learned to bring the conversation back to the present moment. That means focusing on the question:

"Are you all right in this moment?

We get ahead of ourselves, don't we? We're already catastrophizing about next year and whipping up our own frenzy.

"What if?
What could possibly happen if?
What if I do?
What if I don't?
What if they...?
If this happens, then...."

And, then, there is the spiritual dimension to add into that mix. That can truly complicate it. And, it can simplify it as well. Well, that really helps! NOT!!

But, in the meantime...

"Do you let go and let God?
Do you listen for guidance?
How do you know it's guidance and not just your own conclusion?
Do you treat and move your feet?
Do you surrender and wait?
What the hell does God want from me, for me?"

As promised, as we walk this journey together, I'll share a few thoughts from writers I appreciate that are helpful to me as I think about prosperity, God and guidance.

"We are all familiar with Moses, Buddha, Jesus and other great spiritual leaders who did not use the power so much as they let it use them by providing a channel through which it could work. We also are aware of the great humanitarian accomplishments of Lincoln, Gandhi, Schweitzer and others who let the power use them. ...Anyone who has ever done anything worthwhile has drawn upon the inner resources of his own being where the One Power resides. ...Life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who earn them, who do not weaken in the face of adversity, and whose patience is not worn out by waiting. - Dr. Donald Curtis

If we are thinking of security in terms of protective barriers and a continuous provision for food, clothing, shelter, heat, light and medical care, then (and this may seem shocking) the most secure individual is a life-term convict in a penitentiary. Almost everything is cared for, thus he has little to worry about. He has real security, but at such a great price!

Most public opinion surveys indicate that the one thing most persons desire in life more than anything else is security. This is a sad commentary on comtemporary values. Professor Peter Bartocci of Boston Unidresity has said: It may be that any view of life that puts security rather than creativity first has misread life at its best, and thus misinterprets the cosmic process. This is not to suggest that the desire for security is wrong, or that we shouldn't seek ways of achieving it. It is simply that when we place the emphasis on outer things, we miss the whole meaning of life. Life is for expressing, for growth and expansion. ....When people think only of being safe, they stifle the urges of personal growth and advancement. - Eric Butterworth

"[In 1970] a Wall Street economist gave his formula for a cure for poverty: "What is needed is not so much a war on poverty as an understanding of the forces that generate prosperity." The forces that generate prosperity are mental and spiritual. In order to conduct a mental and spiritual war on poverty, the first thing you must do is open your mind to prosperity. ...You can open your mind to prosperity when you realize the true definiton of the word: You are prosperous to the degree that you are experiencing peace, health, and plenty in your world. - Catherine Ponder"

So, let's start with peace. We know what to do. We know to breathe deeply and give ourselves time to sit silently each day. We know what images bring us peace: walking in nature, remembering people we love, beaches, mountains. Dwell on them, especially when anxiety arises. That's often easier than affirmation or mental gymnastics. Just shift the picture in your mind to a peaceful one and push the other one out!

We know what to do. Are you willing to make a commitment to doing that each and every time something wants to shake your sense of peace? I'm going to keep making that commitment, even when it's not so easy. It means sometimes walking away and turning off televisions and leaving conversations. It means monitoring thoughts and changing our minds.

I'm in. Are you?

Many blessings and much prosperity for you.
Rhoberta

Prosperity. Abundance. What Do We Have to Do to Get It?

So, these words are heard all the time and we all nod our heads and say, "Yes!"

In the words of Dr. Phil, the big question is:

"How's it workin' for ya?"

Having been a spiritual leader and teacher for so long, I recognize the attraction of the idea of prosperity and abundance. I also know that the spiritual principles actually work...when applied! Where the breakdown seems to be is that most of us don't want to actually do what it takes because the "doing" is so frowned upon. Of course, the "being" is most important, but, there is some doing required.

In this economic change--and, it's only a change, not a disaster--there are some things we can re-visit in our own lives to make sure we stay on track. I know I've been re-visiting them lately, so, I'm thinking you might be ready to do so as well.

When the world gave us "The Secret", along with the awareness of metaphysical principles, it also gave an unfortunate idea: You can get anything you want by simply thinking about it and it will arrive. It's not that simple. That is magical thinking.

So, I decided to share some thoughts in the next few blog posts that I'm currently working with--again!!!--to keep me where I want to be: grounded in soul-driven living.I hope they deepen your understanding and inspire you, too. The first are from a favorite book, The Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes:

> "We do not teach that you can get what you want. If we could all get what we want, it might be disastrous, for it is certain that most of us would want things that would interfere with the well-being of someone else. While we could not expect to demonstrate that which is contrary to the nature of our own existence, we not only believe but we know that it is entirely possible, through mental treatment--through right thought and belief--to greatly influence our environment, its reaction to us, the situations we meet and the conditions we contact. There is such a thing as demonstrating a control of conditions.

...this Science does not promise something for nothing. It does, however, tell us that if we comply with the Law, the Law complies with us. No man can demonstrate peace and cling to unhappiness. He can demonstrate resignation, and call it peace, but it will not be peace. No man can jump into the water and remain dry. This is contrary to law and to reason. NO PERSON WHOSES ENTIRE TIME IS SPENT IN THE CONTEMPLATION OF LIMITATION CAN DEMONSTRATE FREEDOM FROM SUCH LIMITATION! -

It is a great mistake to say: "Take what you wish, for you can have anything you like." We dop not take what we wish, but we do attract to ourselves that which is like our thought. MAN MUST BECOME MORE IF HE WISHES TO DRAW A GREATER GOOD INTO HIS LIFE. wE NEED NOT LABOR UNDER THE DELUSION THAT ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS TO SAY THAT EVERYTHING IS OURS. This is true in Reality, but in fact it is only as true as wel make it. ...EVERY MAN MUST PAY THE PRICE FOR THAT WHICH HE RECEIVES AND THAT PRICE IS PAID IN MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL COIN.

Pretty much, this means that we have to our own spiritual practice...all the time! It tells us that their truly is no magic, and it is our consciousness that needs our attention.

Let's spend some time with these ideas in the next day or two. I'm going to, for sure.

You might want to take the MIDAS THINKING program, www.MidasThinking.com and learn how spiritual principles come together with daily life to make the difference you're looking for.
Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Don't Put Off Reaching Out

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a lovely day, filled with great conversation, cards, flowers and a general feeling of being appreciated. Perfect!

As I sat last night looking at the beautiful flowers my daughter sent me, I was thinking about how easy it is to be too tired, too busy, too stressed to reach out and think about someone else. The people in my life were not bothered by those things. They took the time to find the perfect card, pick up the phone, send a Facebook message, or take me out to eat. I am blessed.

It wasn't about money spent. A new friend whom I grow to appreciate more each time we meet took me to dinner. She was asking me about where we should go to eat. Now, lovely though restaurants with many stars are, they just don't interest me much. I have a ton of food allergies, and it just doesn't suit the environment to be questioning the ingredients. So, when she asked, I said:

"Cheap, cheerful and good company! Those are my requests."

She was visibly relieved. We had a great time, and I am grateful for her caring.

This morning, a dear friend of many years and I connected on Skype. The joy of an old friendship where you can talk about the changes we've experienced and the insights we're having cannot be topped.

This all just made me realize why I make phone calls and remember birthdays. It is an important way of staying connected, or getting connected. And, it has great value to me.

Is there someone you need to call? I'm reading my list and checking it twice today!!

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Miracles as Teachers

You've likely noticed that we have more opportunities these days to remind ourselves of spiritual principles. That's because there are more messages filled with negativity, scarcity and limitation bombarding us. Chicken Little is alive and well, screaming that the sky is falling!


Clearly, things are changing. It's really no surprise, is it? Everyone likes to think it is possible to get something for nothing. Could it really have been possible to buy a house with an inflated price tag with a huge loan that your income really could not support? No, but it happened. Is it really a good idea to get a credit card with 0% interest to start, buy the things you wanted and then find yourself with a 25% or 36% interest accruing? No, but it happened.


I was talking with a dear friend a couple of years ago. He is a wonderfully generous man with an amazingly talented wife, and buying a home where they could entertain was a dream. His income barefuly supported the small, run-down home they rented. He thought it was a miracle when a mortgage company approved their loan on the big house with the huge garden for entertaining. And, it was a miracle in the truest sense: there was no way to explain how it could possibly happen!


Having lunch with him six months ago, the miracle had faded into a source of incredible stress, fear and pain. The variable rate mortgage that made it possible for them to have the house was now eating up every single cent he could bring in, with nothing left for bills, or daily food--not to mention for the entertaining that was so important. They were distraught.


So, what about the miracle? The tremendous gratitude my friends felt for being able to purchase the house had become depression over the potential albatross it had become. Their pain was intense as they saw their dreams fading into ruined credit and a return to the tiny, inadequate rental housing of earlier years. What to do?

Fortunately for them, another miracle took place: a friend who loved and appreciated them stepped in and helped them even before the government made it possible for them to renegotiate their mortgage. This fellow believed in them and their talents. A miracle!

A Course in Miracles tells us that:

"Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle....A miracle is a service. It is the maximal service you can render to another. It is a way of loving your neighbor as yourself. You recognize your own and your neighbor's worth simultaneously."

So, was the miracle in the being approved for the loan, living in a house that seemed way beyond what was affordable, or, the love of the friend who removed the financial pain? All seem to qualify.

The miracles are the teachers. They are not magic because they arise from conviction of what is possible. Do they put an end to pain? Perhaps, temporarily, but other things will arise. That's life.

"Miracles are healing because they supply a lack; they are performed by those who temporarily have more for those who temporarily have less."

We all have something to give, no matter what the economy. We all will have learning associated with both our lack and our miracles. That's life.

Have you had a miracle lately? I hope you'll share it with us here.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Spiritual Living Network
www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com
NEW WEBSITE: www.TamingTenseTimes.com