June 27, 2011
On Wealth and Spirituality and Future Generations and Shining My Light
I’ve had many recently people bring to my attention different attitudes about wealth, and about being rich. Several years ago I attended a 3-day Millionaire Mind Intensive with T. Harv Eker in Seattle. He teaches in a no-nonsense, straightforward, practical, loving way about changing your Money Blueprint. He was about to publish his book, “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth,” and had us vote on which cover image to use.
NOTE: If you have a chance, go to one of these. They are life transforming. (Here’s my affiliate link: http://www.peakambassador.com/cmd.php?af=165295&p=1 or go to Peak Potentials’ website.) At the very least, go to a bookstore and check out his book. It includes his very practical “wealth files” that explain the money belief system that many of us grew up with, and shows how to shift them. That alone will change your life.
Now back to where I was going with this:
Over the years I’ve embraced the perspective of Abundance and Enlightened Wealth. The other day I was reading Harv Eker’s book again, and thought I’d share something he included:
“In their outstanding book The One Minute Millionaire, my good friends Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen quote the poignant story of Russell H. Conwell in his book Acres of Diamonds, which was written over a hundred years ago:
‘I say that you ought to get rich, and it is your duty to get rich. How many of my pious brethren say to me, “Do you, a Christian minister, spend your time going up and down the country advising young people to get rich, to get money?” Yes, of course I do.
‘They say, “Isn’t that awful? Why don’t you preach the gospel instead of preaching about man’s making money?” Because to make money honestly is to preach the gospel. That is the reason. The men who get rich may be the most honest men you find in the community.
‘ “Oh,” but says some young man here tonight. “I have been told all my life that if a person has money he is very dishonest and dishonorable and mean and contemptible.” My friend, that is the reason you have none, because you have that idea of people. The foundation of your faith is altogether false. Let me say clearly… ninety-eight out of one hundred of the rich men (and women) of America are honest. That is why they are rich. That is why they are trusted with money. That is why they carry on great enterprises and find plenty of people to work with them.
‘Says another young man, “I hear sometimes of men that get millions of dollars dishonestly. “Yes, of course you do, and so do I. But they are so rare a thing in fact that the newspapers talk about them all the time as a matter of news until you get the idea that all the other rich men get rich dishonestly.
‘My friend, you…drive me… out into the suburbs of Philadelphia, and introduce me to the people who own their homes around this great city, so beautiful homes with gardens and flowers, those magnificent homes so lovely in their art, and I will introduce you to the very best people in character as well as in enterprise in our city… They that own their homes are made more honorable and honest and pure, and true and economical and careful, by owning them.
‘We preach against covetousness… in the pulpit… and use the terms… “filthy lucre” so extremely that Christians get the idea that… it is wicked for any man to have money. Money is power, and you ought to be reasonably ambitious to have it! You ought to because you can do more good with it than you can without it. Money printed your Bibles, money builds your churches, money sends your missionaries, and money pays your preachers… I say, then, you ought to have money. If you can honestly attain unto riches…. it is your… godly duty to do so. It is an awful mistake of these pious people to think you must be awfully poor in order to be pious.”
Later in the book he touches on the issue that I see a lot, and that I have looked at for myself == that of having money and being a spiritual person.
“If I can be an example for anything, it would be that you can be a kind, loving, caring, generous, and spiritual person and be frickin rich. I strongly urge you to dispel the myth that money is in any way bad or that you wil be less “good” or less “pure” if you are wealthy. … being kind, generous, and loving has nothing to do with what is or isn’t in your wallet. Those attributes come from what is in your heart. Being pure and spiritual have nothing to do with what is or isn’t in your bank account; those attributes come from what’s in your soul. To think money makes you good or bad, one way or another, is either/or thinking and just plain “programmed garbage” that is not supportive to your happiness and success.
“It’s also not supportive to those around you, especially to children. If you’re that adamant about being a good person, then be “good” enough not to infest the next generation with the disempowering beliefs you may inadvertently have adopted.
“If you really want to live a life without limits, whatever the situation, let go of either/or thinking and maintain the intention to have “both.” “
Several years ago I reached a turning point in my life (one of many), and I had to look at myself. My life was less than happy and fulfilling, and I was not showing up as who I really am. I asked myself, “What am I teaching my daughter about the way life could be? What am I teaching her about what to expect in a relationship and how to be in the world?”
I’m still learning new ways of being a woman of substance in the world, thanks to mentors like Vangie Buell, Gina Ratliffe and Elizabeth Genco Purvis. I have broken through and ended the cycle of abuse, however subtly it shows up, through my involvement in the first all-Filipina “Vagina Monologues” presented by the Filipina Women’s Network.
I continue to learn how to BE from Janet Attwood, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Wayne Dyer, and a host of others. I connect with Spirit, my angels and guides as I continue to understand and act on what being a healer means in this life cycle for me. I am continually learning and having the courage to Feel. I continue to step forward on my path.
I’m connecting to my spiritual roots through my connection with the Center for Babaylan Studies and its global community, and through individual spirit connections with others. I’m connecting with my cultural roots through the Filipino American National Historical Society, CfBS, and Gawad Kalinga.
And I am bringing myself more fully into the world through my business – WLA Global and White Light Associates. I help others shine their light in their life and their business.
Although the road has been bumpy, and I’ve made my share of decisions that could have turned out much better, as I’ve gone on to figure out the many ways that I bring Baylan into the world, I am often reminded of that time of my life when I realized my responsibility to tend to myself first — out of self-love and self-care. I remember the talk they give you at the beginning of an airplane flight — in an emergency, secure your oxygen first, THEN help others.
In order to “Help Others Shine Their Light,” as I say through White Light Associates, I have to shine mine, too — in every area of my life.
Wow — I’m quite a wealthy person already!
In taking care of myself, I empower others to do the same — those around me and those who come after me. And that empowerment leads to wealth in all its ways that are appropriate for your path at the time.
I am reminded of Marianne Williamson’s piece from “A Return to Love” made even more famous by Nelson Mandela :
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
‘We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
So go out there and shine your light — You’ll be amazed at how much light shines back at you!
P.S. Oh! And check out my new site at http://www.whitelightassociate.com/blog In a few days this will migrate to my main site, http://www.whitelightassociates.com/, but I thought I’d share it with you now. Seems appropriate!
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