The Vicious Cycle

A long time ago I overheard a discussion about money and how it flows.  The context was how, if all wealth (a.k.a. money) was suddenly dispersed in equal amounts to everyone, it would take about two years for the money (a.k.a. wealth) to return to those that initially created it.

In the ensuing decades I’ve kept that discussion on a back-burner, so to speak.  I know, and you probably do as well, people who are good at creating (attracting) money.  Some manage it well (in the opinion of outsiders) and others don’t or can’t.  Yet regardless, money continues to find them.  Or, in other cases, money remains elusive.  In effect, money (property) comes to those who have a consciousness for it.  And vice-versa.

The constant is consciousness and not the money or material substance.  Such is an ancient conundrum – those that have, prosper, and those without, lose what they have.  The two conditions are not linked and have nothing to do with one another in the sense that someone’s gain causes someone else to lose.  The person with the “gain” has his/her attention on prosperity.  The person with the “loss” has his/her attention on the lack of prosperity.

Quick side-bar:  This is about money, not happiness or other quality of Life factor.  Many folks have a wonderful consciousness to attract Joy and delight but may not have the easy attraction for wealth.  And vice-versa.  As one wag remarked (also a long time ago) “would you rather have a million dollars or a millions friends?”  Duh.  A friend would likely spot you a buck and you’d have a lot of people to play with.

Through the years I’ve come to accept the conclusion of that long-ago discussion.  No one can take from you anything that your consciousness is attuned.  On the other hand, no one can give you anything that your consciousness can’t accept.  Whatever is “given” simply won’t remain.  The universal Law of Attraction trumps.

Resentment and envy are feelings indicating attention on the lack of something in one’s life experience.  That attention will produce more.  In a sense, he/she will create and abundance of things to resent and envy by the constant thinking about the lack of, or absence of, the something.  It is known as the vicious cycle.

How Prosperity Evolves

In addition to being a Cognitive Philanthropist, I’ve considered myself a rational optimist.  Imagine my delight to come across a book, a business/economics/philosophical book, titled The Rational Optimist.  British author Matt Ridley presents the world a delicious perspective on the truth of prosperity and quality of life.  Can you say, Duh!

Having been bombarded for two decades of doom and gloom end-of-times – over population – no more water – climate disaster – poison planet – humans are a virus, well, you know the list.  Ridley maintains optimism because he’s studied economics, prosperity, innovation, free markets and human nature.  They all add up to a promising future.  Heck, they add up to a more enjoyable present once the goofy terror and fear mongering is cast out.  Some of his bon mots:

            The message from history is so blatantly obvious – that free trade causes mutual prosperity while protectionism causes poverty – that it seems incredible that anybody ever thinks otherwise.

            When asked at the Chicago World Fair in 1893 which invention would most likely have a big impact in the twentieth century, nobody mentioned the automobile, let alone the mobile phone.

Is there a mystery to Ridley’s optimism?  No mystery, but a manner of thinking.  He cites Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Isaac McPherson:

            He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.

If you’re needing some fresh thinking, a bit of rational relief, a venture into the reality of ideas, then you’ll enjoy Ridley’s book.

Here’s a delightful summary:

Okay, 2012 is here!

It seems that many folks are happy with the new year.  Part of that is a “thank God 2011 is over!” since many people found that calendar period to contain a number of challenges.  2012 offers unparalleled prosperity, health, delight and all around good feelings.  Yet, as with any potential, a person must be able to accept it into their experience.  That acceptance invariably means a shift in thinking and perception.

For instance, nothing can be brought into being (or experience) by thinking about its opposite.  Everything has two ends, two sides, two points – a “higher” and a “lower” manifestation.  Which manifests, appears, depends on attention.  Is health obtained by constant thinking, discussing, and studying about disease?  Not really.  Studying “disease” only reveals (drum roll) more disease.  “What’s wrong with me?” reveals more of what’s “not right” with me.  Attention to anything means more of it, whether desired or not.  Therefore, thinking about the “opposite” of what you want cannot produce what is desired.  The desired manifestation is on the other end of the scale.  The solution is always different (vibration) from the “problem.”  Granted, many of us perceive a “solution” to be for a problem to stop being a problem.

A lot of challenges can be avoided by paying attention to your still, small voice.  Also known as a hunch, an intuition, a feeling – you know the many subtle ways someone is trying to get your attention.  Invariably you get a hunch to give your attention to something other than where your attention is going.  For instance, I know of someone who went to a lunch with friends over the Holidays and shared an appetizer with one of them, who was recovering from a respiratory struggle.  Don’t do that¸ said the quiet voice, as the person reached for the tasty treat.

Days later – when the person was beset with a nagging illness – came the remark “well, I should have listened to my hunch, but I never do…”  And I must ask, why, oh why, do we NOT listen to the hunches, the intuitions (George, take a sweater to that football game…Nah, I won’t need it…)  We know better, but still we refuse to listen to our own counsel.  That is the source of such quiet guidance – our higher self that hovers beyond our physical senses.

So, a few things to make 2012 a great year (maybe that’s what the Mayan’s meant…):

·       Pay attention to yourself and follow your hunch/intuition.  If it’s a good thing to do, you’ll have good results.  What have you got to lose by not doing so?

·       Focus your attention on what you want and desire, not what you fear or dislike.  This takes practice because anything out of “ease” (dis-ease) gets our attention because we inherently know it to be the exception rather than the rule.  Giving something you don’t like more attention only brings more of the same into your life.  You know this already although you may not have been aware of it in 2011.  Make 2012 the year you are aware of where your mental and emotional attentions are focused.

·       To insure prosperity, give everyone more in use-value than you receive in “cash” or money value.  Think about this one and it’ll make sense.

·       Appreciate something every moment. Heck, post something you appreciate on Facebook every day, or Tweet, or whatever expressions you like (silent prayer is a pretty good one.)

·       All of the above reinforce the simple but effective game plan for living:  What I want for myself, I want for everyone.

Now that’s a plan for 2012!  Check the results December 21, 2012.

What Goes Around, Comes Around

A long time ago I overheard a discussion about money and how it flows. The context was how, if all wealth (a.k.a. money) was suddenly dispersed in equal amounts to everyone, it would take about two years for the money (a.k.a. wealth) to return to those that initially created it.

In the ensuing decades I’ve kept that discussion on a back-burner, so to speak. I know, and you probably do as well, folks who always create (attract) money. Some manage it well (in the opinion of outsiders) and others don’t or can’t. Yet regardless, money continues to find them. Or, in many cases, money remains elusive. In effect, money (property) comes to those who have a consciousness for it. And visa-versa.

The constant is consciousness and not the amount of material substance. Such is an ancient conundrum – those that have, prosper, and those without, lose what they have. The two conditions are not linked and have nothing to do with one another.

Quick side-bar: This is about money, not happiness or other quality of Life factor. Many folks have a wonderful consciousness to attract Joy and delight but may not have the easy attraction for wealth. And visa-versa. As one wag remarked (also a long time ago) “would you rather have a million dollars or a millions friends?” Duh. A friend would likely spot you a buck and you’d have a lot of people to play with.

Through the years I’ve come to accept the conclusion of that long-ago discussion. No one can take from you anything that your consciousness is attuned. On the other hand, no one can give you anything that your consciousness can’t accept. Whatever is “given” simply won’t remain. The universal Law of Attraction trumps.