When you change the way you say things, you change how people perceive them, and you change your world. Language and messaging is so very important when you want to get an idea across. Here’s an inspirational video that illustrates this concept.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
by Barb Wade
I love to give gifts, and give thanks, and give service to others – that’s one reason I love the holidays so much. But for those of us “givers” it’s sometimes a little more difficult to receive.
The ironic thing is that receiving is actually an innate “skill” that we all have when we are children. But at some point, we are told that it is selfish or wrong to enjoy receiving.
We hear, “It is better to give than receive” constantly. But that is an erroneous equation. Both giving and receiving are rich in their own gifts, and both are necessary to have a balanced life.
This is from a book called Soul Currency by Ernest Chu:
“Most of us, as we conduct our everyday lives, exhibit difficulty in receiving… We too often subordinate our needs to those of loved ones and friends. […] When the circulation of love is stopped by an inability to receive, then eventually we have little or nothing left to give.”
You must complete the “circuit,” as it were, in order for the most powerful flow to happen. It’s strange that we think of giving being an act of humility, but I have often felt most humbled when I truly accepted someone’s love through receiving.
Just imagine how your finances and income is influenced by your inability to receive – if you can’t receive, money can’t flow to you!
One of the ways that we block ourselves from attracting abundance is by giving more attention to the lack of what we want rather than the fulfillment of what we want. Then, by the “like-attracts-like principle,” we recreate the lack of what we want.
And remember: we’re not just talking about receiving material objects and items. This is about our ability to open up to joy, love, well-being, abundance, and all the other things that are available to us.
Have you ever had someone complement you on what you are wearing and your reaction was “Oh this? It’s just a thing I threw on. I got it on sale…” etc, etc.
That is just one way of not receiving or deflecting love and affection. But you not only cheat yourself out of fully experiencing that love, but you short-change the giver’s experience of happily contributing.
So during this season of giving, isn’t it a good time to start practicing gracious receiving as well?
The next time someone gives you a complement, try this: smile, fully take it in, and simply say “thank you” – no deflecting or excuses, just put your focus on connecting with the other person and then notice how you feel.
You see, giving and receiving aren’t really opposites. They are part of an energy loop that is only truly effective if the circle continues and grows unbroken.
Business Coach & Mentor Barb Wade specializes in teaching entrepreneurs how to make more money more easily while enjoying a business and lifestyle that reflects their priorities. Download Barb’s “Word-for-Word Scripts To Overcome Objections” and book more high-paying clients now at www.BarbWade.com
In this rare video, Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich,” talks about separating facts into the important and unimportant. Important facts are those who will move you forward to your goals. He also describes how many people who express opinions don’t base them on anything. Opinions need to be based on facts, and if you’re able to give your source, all the better. He then gives 7 rules to follow to be an accurate thinker.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
Question: I want a better self-image, prosperity, and success, but what do I work on first to achieve these?
Answer: First, a good self-image is the basis of the other two. If you don’t feel like you deserve good, you won’t manifest more prosperity or success. So the first thing I’d focus on is the self-image. I usually tell people to focus on one issue at a time, but since these three items tend to run hand in hand, I think you can work on all three of them at one time.
Write down what makes you feel bad about yourself. Do you feel like you don’t deserve, aren’t enough, aren’t worthwhile? Turn it around and create a positive statement that affirms your worthiness. Work on self-acceptance. And to begin with, I’d state that you deserve prosperity and success in the amount that you want. That would be the first step.
When you start to feel comfortable that you do deserve prosperity and success, then I’d expand the suggestion. State how much prosperity and success that you want. And remember, you don’t have to know how it will happen. That’s what your subconscious mind is for, to work out the details. That’s not to say that you don’t have to take some action, or move in that direction. But you don’t have to worry about the how.
Copyright 2004, 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
In the article, 14 Habits of Highly Miserable People, author Cloe Madanes explores the ways in which people can hone their skills in this area. She starts with “Be afraid, be very afraid of economic loss,” and ends with “Be critical.”
With each habit, she includes an exercise to develop the unhappiness that goes with it. I found the habits and exercises illuminating. It illumines how a person can make their life unsatisfying without even being aware of it.
She also describes the benefits of being miserable. You wouldn’t think there would be an upside to this, but there always is or it wouldn’t be worth it. Only when someone reaches a point where the benefits no longer outweigh the detriments will they begin to change.
Although this is written in a tongue-in-cheek style, it’s a great commentary on how to avoid being happy. Even though it’s about being miserable, it’s also enlightening on what not to do in your life. If you want to have a happy and fulfilled life, these are habits you should avoid.
Read the article, and see if you spot any of your habits in her list. If you do, you might want to think about changing them.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
When you have a change in your life, you can have a sense of loss and sadness over what has gone. People don’t understand that this is a normal process. Even if you’re eager for the new door opening, there can be some grief over the old one closing. Learn how this is a normal process and how to approach it.
In this rare video, Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich,” says that a positive mental attitude is the only way you overcome adversity and defeat. Sometimes adversity pushes you to fulfill a greater potential. Without the difficulty, you probably would never have been propelled to achieve more. As you look for the benefit within any challenge, you open up to the possibility of leading you to more success. Failure only occurs when you accept it as such.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
People expect that when they set an intention and begin to follow through with it, it’ll be easy. Unfortunately, having setbacks is a necessary part of the process. Learn what pitfalls can teach you and how it can make you stronger when you’re fulfilling a goal.
Read the accompanying article Believe You Can and You’re Right.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
In this rare video, Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich,” analyzes how personal initiative is important in success. You have to be able to motivate yourself to success without someone else dictating to you. If you want to be successful, the habit of personal initiative is essential. He describes several traits of a person who has this important quality. Also, he reviews the principles in the previous eight videos.
In this rare video, Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich,” explains how enthusiasm is contagious. Enthusiasm is one of the most important traits for leadership. He gives a short course on salesmanship to help you make a favorable impression on your prospect. These are good tips for anyone meeting new people.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart