Wealth is a difficult word these days because it seems we have been witnessing an abuse of our financial resources. Nevertheless, our experience of wealth goes way beyond money alone.
What does wealth mean for you, deep down? What is your intention for wealth now? Yes, you have basic needs to cover, possibly fewer than you think.
Wealth speaks to me of expansion, and not just in financial terms. Does more money translate to greater happiness and fulfilment? Does security in life come from having a good pension entitlement? What is the more, the expansion that truly counts for you?
Psychologist Daniel Gilbert in his TED talk asks Why are we happy? and suggests we are often mistaken about what makes us happy, including financially.
What is your vision for wealth in 2012? What is your vision for expansion and fulfilment? Do you enjoy the wealth of friendship you would like? Are you following a vocation that is true to your heart? Are you in tune with your spiritual values? Do you enjoy inner peace and serenity, or do you suffer nagging doubts and anxiety? Do you wake up in the morning, refreshed from a good night's sleep and greet the day with joy and enthusiasm?
A basic message of Christmas is that wherever we may find ourselves, in the equivalent of a lowly stable perhaps, we can start afresh. Each day offers the possibility of a new beginning, a new way of looking at what is in front of us, of seeing clearly the opportunity present.
This blessing I hope may help to awaken you to a new vision for today, a vision in which you count in the wealth and expansion of your life.
Spirit of Divine Love, we bring ourselves forward into the generous consciousness of your loving and Light with our gratitude for all of the many blessings that we enjoy and that enrich us.We offer ourselves for your guidance and infinite wisdom
to comfort, reassure and show us our best ways ahead.We appreciate your gifts to us, our natural talents and qualities,
the skills and strengths we have developed so far
and those we have yet to master.We know that as we give, so we also receive,
that we are One with all of your creation,
celebrating the contribution that comes from our own divine essence.Please show us the way, your way
that we may more fully enrich the world around us
and in so doing,
expand the boundaries of our own wealth experience.In each moment when we stop to take account
may we know your presence more fully
and know ourselves as one with your magnificence.We accept and receive your blessings
as we share our blessings with others.Baruch Bashan -- The Blessings Already Are
If you are anything like me, you may be feeling some uncertainty about the coming year. Try these three steps to realize your greater wealth and well-being:
1. Forgive: Any time you are feeling out of balance or a sense of lack, forgive yourself for forgetting that you are Divine. Forgive yourself for the judgements you may be making that cause you to feel separate, alone or lonely. You are never alone.
2. Be grateful: Count your blessings, even and especially the small ones. The little things count. Remember then. In the evening, write down a minimum of 5 things you have appreciated during the day.
3. Bless: Bless your day, your night, the neighbor and those who would in some way offend you. Wish well whoever is around you, whoever you may pass in the street. Bless your work, your projects, your computer, the hands that type on its keyboard, those who read what you have written -- including yourself. Bless your world with a smile -- you never know who might benefit from such a simple gesture. Be creative with your blessings -- there is no limit to the goodness you can extend as you expand your wealth and well-being in 2012.
You do not have to be a saint or a savior to extend blessings. You may wish to bless others silently with your thoughts of goodwill. Your actions of caring and thoughtfulness may communicate blessings. The skills and talents you express at work are an expression of your blessings. The touch of a warm hand, a comforting arm to hold, a gentle smile all speak of blessings.
Through your forgiving, gratitude and blessing you might find greater stability and contentment within the changes that are happening around us. What is more, you may find that the changes themselves produce greater blessings than you could ever have imagined.
May 2012 bless you with many opportunities to expand beyond your former limits of wealth and well-being and into the greater appreciation of who you truly are.
How do you most like to express blessings? If you could receive one blessing this year, what would that be? Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
For more tips and hints for living a wealthy life from the inside out, turn to "The Wealth Book -- Winning With Spirit"
For more by Anne Naylor, click here.
For more on mindfulness, click here.
Follow Anne Naylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Anne4Joy
Agapi Stassinopoulos: Welcoming The New Year With Grace
Robert Levithan: Peaceful Coexistence with Myself
Olivia Rosewood: Please Meditate: Goals and Gratitude (VIDEO)
Dr. Judith Rich: Making Gratitude the Main Course at Thanksgiving
"When rulers tax their subjects so that they may feast
Their people become hungry
When rulers only serve their own interests
Their people rebel
When rulers take lives to maintain their own
Their people no longer fear death
When people act without regard of their own lives
They overcome those who value only their own"
This new version of Lao Tzu's The Tao Te Ching is available as a free app for iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch at...
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/taoofwisdom-the-tao-te-ching/id493759939?ls=1&mt=8
Blessings to you,
Anne
I am a fan of TED talks, and enjoyed Dan Gilbert's presentation a bunch! But, then I got caught up in the endless path of additional related talks, spending about an hour (plus the time it took for me to whip up some oatmeal at 4:00 AM... cause it makes me happy) then finally returned to your article.
In one additional "talk" I watched, Dr. Barry Swartz speak to what ultimately makes us happy: having close loving relationships and being involved in a meaningful activity. Seems so simple: being around people we like and love and doing something we like and love... the pattern appears clear.
So maybe this is the formula for real wealth; happiness being defined and supported by liking and loving others and ourselves, which from my perspective incorporates your ideas about forgiveness and gratitude all wrapped up with like and love to continually deliver the blessing of happy.
In that spirit, happy for your return!
Lawson
What joy to see you here again - thank you. I too am a great fan of the TED talks. I can watch them for hours because they offer such a rich perspective on what is happening in our world, in amongst everything else we hear about on the news as a whole.
Yes, I think there really is a simple approach to what can make us happy. At yet at the same time, we are often called on many adventures through which we get to find happiness, regardless of the ideals we might wish for.
I love what you say here: So maybe this is the formula for real wealth; happiness being defined and supported by liking and loving others and ourselves, which from my perspectivÂe incorporatÂes your ideas about forgivenesÂs and gratitude all wrapped up with like and love to continuallÂy deliver the blessing of happy.
Many blessings of happy come your way!
Anne
in the quiet of the shore line
I see you sit
from across the waters
the wave tugs
the wind raises my hairs
but who are you
are you feeling pain
in your silent repose
or the escape from feelings
do you ask how or why
of the way things are
or do you meditate upon lifes' reasons
or upon the reasons of Life
is your family gone
has death knocked upon your house door
or is it but the sounds of water moving
which can still your trembling heart
does the cold west wind
which chills' my hands
also reach its' way to you
or is it hunger which brings
you to the waters' edge
do the fish which swim
in the cold depths
stir you as the fishermans' hope
or are you but a blind spot
upon my eye
where the liberty stone on the shore line
is but an illusion in my vision.
Rolf KrogsætherC1984
What an exquisite meditation. You are the expression of your wealth.
Thank you.
Anne
Yes, the inorganic matter of this universe cannot be accomodated through the last door. Though the inorganic matter is enjoyable when it is realized what it is and for.
Only lifes' essence passes through the barrier of the cosmic membrane.
You are most welcome.
Wonderful blog.
You are one of my very favorites!
Blessings,
Ed
and thank you as always for being here!
Loving you,
Anne
It's so great to see you back here on the page! We've missed you dearly. I hope your return is a sign that there is more to come, for your message about wealth and its true meaning is one that is sorely needed in this world today.
I loved your blessing and if I may, I plan to print it out and read it aloud each morning as part of my morning ritual of prayer and meditation. There is so much more to who we are and what we can create than what our "ordinary" minds can conceive.
My own vision for wealth at this time centers around an image I received during a meditation over New Year's weekend. It was of an empty, light-filled room. It was open and peaceful and it spoke to me of the space of possibility available from which to create whatever it is I want. I keep coming back to this image. It informs me there is nothing in the way, my task is to move forward and answer the call of my heart, which is around writing. And so I trust that the way is already prepared and my job is to show up and do the work.
Wealth for me then, is trusting in the deep wisdom that is being revealed and saying "yes" to it.
May this year bless us all with renewed passion for the fulfillment of our deepest callings.
Many blessings to you,
Judith
It is always lovely to see you here - thank you for your wise presence. I am honoured that you would print the blessing and use it!
I love your vision for wealth. Keep up the writing. I know that there is much in your heart that you have to express. Your vision for wealth is absolutely wonderful. Your response to it is inspiring to me.
Keep saying "yes" to you and many of us will benefit from what you have to contribute.
With love and many blessings to you,
Anne
Bless you.
Correns.
What a joy to see you here again!
Many blessings and love to you,
Anne