Change Your Chocolate & You’ll Change Your Life – If Only We Would

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” 

This sparkling insight by Zig Ziglar is so powerful. Of all the learning with which I have been blessed as an entrepreneur, this is perhaps the most significant. True in its own right, it also bears witness to another significant dynamic, which is that if you want something you’ve never had before, you must do things you’ve never done before. 

To put it another way, our comfort zone is our failure zone. If we aren’t willing to get out of it and to change, we simply cannot grow, thrive or prosper like we could…if only we would.

This same empowering truth was expressed, slightly differently, by Albert Einstein who observed, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” 

The point is this:  you cannot continue to do what you’ve always done and then somehow have a different result, outcome or experience. It doesn’t work that way: not in physics, not in life, not in anything.

If you keep doing what you are doing, you are going to keep getting what you are getting, or worse.  If you keep eating unhealthily, you’re going to keep feeling poorly. If you keep overeating, you’re going to maintain or increase your weight. If you keep eating well, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and continue  exercising, you’re likely going to stay fit.

In order to have something else, something more, we must do things differently than we have always done them.  We must see things in a new light and respond to them differently. The truly great news is that we can! If only we would.

This is one reason I love Xocai’s new slogan, “Change your chocolate.”  I want to put it all in caps and add an exclamation point at the end.  Because changing your chocolate can literally change your life.  The impact that healthy chocolate can have on your health and longevity is stunning. And should you choose to embrace and embark upon the business opportunity as well, you can also dramatically change your financial situation.  You can learn about the science behind the benefits at www.mydrchocolate.com

Given all of the stresses and poor lifestyle choices in our daily lives, as well as the truly perilous financial times in which we live, I see two options for most of us.

We can live in fear that we will be forced to take a terrifying tumble off our own personal fiscal cliff; or we can make positive lifestyle changes and position ourselves to be living life with renewed health, vitality and abundance.

If you’d like to learn more about one way that achieving and attaining more is possible for you, I invite you to visit my Xocai website. Please use the promo/distributor code 233998 when you visit  www.The-Healthy-Chocolate.com

We can choose to be victimized and paralyzed by the bleak circumstances which exist in our world today, or we can take action and begin to chart our own course.  We have the power and the ability to take initiative and to change, to be self-directed, and self-motivating. It is absolutely possible; and it is also true that if something is really important to us, we will find a way to make it happen.  If it isn’t important, we will always be able to find an excuse.

A lot of folks are living their dreams and you can too. I am passionate about supporting individuals who are willing to invest in themselves and also want to help others.  So much is possible.  And what we can become, as we are achieving our goals, is remarkable. If only we would.

My mentor, Mr. JJ Birden, utilizes the TEAM approach: Together Everyone Achieves More.  It works! Furthermore, there are few things in life as gratifying as knowing you have helped someone you care about.  Hearing the personal health testimonials of family & friends who have experienced the kinds of life-changing results I myself enjoy makes my heart sing.

The formulation of healthy chocolate seems to provide us with a metaphor and a unique recipe for our lives, if only we would decide to follow it. We have a natural super food, the cacao bean, the way God created it and Nature intends for us to enjoy and benefit from it.  But instead of recognizing its intrinsic value and gleaning its healthful nutrients, nearly all manufacturers have turned it into cheap, unhealthy candy.  When we get back to the way it was intended, we can have something truly life-changing. Well, Xocai has done just that. All you have to do to experience it, is to change your chocolate!

What you and I typically think of as chocolate, is actually candy which is found everywhere and consumed in great quantities by a majority of the population.  It is chocolate which has been alkalized, thus neutralizing its powerful, naturally occurring antioxidants and other vital nutrients.  Additionally, it is heated, which further destroys its health-enhancing benefits. Just like nutrients are lost when we over-cook our vegetables.

After this harmful processing, most manufactures add waxes, milk solids, hydrogenated oils, caffeine, and lots and lots of sugar, which further degrades the powerful, antioxidant-rich benefits of cacao.

But the trademarked Healthy Chocolate, Xocai (pronounced sho-sigh) does not alkalize its chocolate.  By using a proprietary cold-processing method, the antioxidants and other crucial nutrients are maintained. Recognized as the leader in the healthy chocolate industry, Xocai uses only natural cocoa butter, natural sweeteners and other natural ingredients.

It is in your very best interest to change your chocolate!  I have gratefully and joyfully changed mine. Change has never tasted so good and now I only eat healthy chocolate. You not only taste the difference, you actually feel it, too. Now is the time to change YOUR chocolate!

 

Xocai Launches New Preferred Customer Program

This delicious, minimally cold processed, natural plant-based chocolate is loaded with healthful antioxidants

It is time for me to admit something.  It could be seen as a limitation or a character flaw; others might see it as admirable or even enviable.  One of my seminary professors used to say, “Our point of viewing determines our point of view.”  This is true on many levels.

If you are a real people person, care about the well-being of others, or have an entrepreneurial bent, you might embrace my position; and if you are shy, introverted, maybe somewhat indifferent, or just tend to see the glass as half empty, our point of viewing likely differs.

I am passionate about helping others, and tend to get excited about things which are proven and which I experience as helpful.  So I like to share.

Frequently I’ll share about books I’ve read and love, maybe I’ll mention a new restaurant that was especially good, often it is simply a favorite quote.

Still, I do realize there are those (really?) who do not like to share their discoveries and favorite things.

Therefore, if you want all of the joy and all of the benefits of the healthy chocolate, which is cold processed and absolutely loaded with healthful antioxidants, but you do not want to share it in a formal way with those you care about, then this new program is for you.

Xocai is launching a Preferred Customer Program, and it has some really neat benefits.  There is a customer loyalty component, and you can receive a 20% discount off the retail price.

Maybe this has happened to you, where you learn or experience something new, and consequently it moves you to feel differently; and perhaps it even leads you to make a different decision than you would have otherwise made.  If so, there is even more good news for you.

Once you have experienced the joy and benefits of Xocai healthy chocolate, you may be surprised to find that you, too, feel excited about sharing it with those you care about, and those you know who need or want to lose weight, or who have health challenges. Maybe they are concerned about aging, and like us all, see and feel the damaging effects of oxidative stress. If this happens to you, as it did for me, just know that you can pursue the business opportunity at a later date.

What I am finding is that the more I learn, about the science behind the benefits I am personally experiencing, the more there is to love. If you are interested in the health, science and nutrition relative to this antioxidant rich super food, you’ll want to visit this web site  www.mydrchocolate.com

There is an interesting proverb which states, “The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.” It is my hope that you, too, will invest in your own health and enhanced well-being, and be able to experience the joy and benefits for yourself.

If and when you take the delicious plunge and dive into the amazing world of Xocai, please let me know.  There is a short video entitled, “How to Consume Your Healthy Chocolate” which I want to send to you, so that you can be sure and experience all the optimal benefits this natural, minimally-processed, plant-based, diabetic friendly, gluten free, kosher super food has to offer you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.  Please email me at: chocolatewithbenefits4you@gmail.com

Xocai, The Healthy Chocolate

Loaded with antioxidants, this minimally processed super food is absolutely delicious.

Healthy Chocolate: Is it Hype, Wishful Thinking or Real?

Xocai offers a wide array of delicious, healthy chocolate. And Xocai is
The Healthy Chocolate.

We seem to be hearing a lot about so-called healthy chocolate these days.  Is it just hype, spin and fancy marketing, or is there something to it? Being a healthy, aging baby boomer who loves chocolate, I set out to find some answers.  Frankly, what I discovered surprised me.  In fact, it is accurate to say that what I’ve learned has propelled me into action. Let’s be honest here. None of us is getting any younger, and the various stresses of everyday living continue to mount and take their toll.  My feeling is that we can use all the help we can get.

Moderate Skeptic with a Masters degree

As a gerontologist, I have many years of professional experience working with seniors in various settings, and have remained an advocate of independent living and healthy lifestyle choices which promote wellness, vitality and active longevity. For decades I’ve been a proponent of not merely adding more years to one’s life, but rather adding more life to one’s years. Today this isn’t solely academic for me; it is experiential.

Given my on-going study and personal experience, I bring a measure of informed skepticism to any so-called health claim I encounter. So when a friend gave me some supposedly “healthy chocolate” as a gift, I was happy for the chocolate, even as I questioned the healthy aspect.  It didn’t mean much to me at the time.  I eat fruits and veggies for health and I eat chocolate for pleasure. Sure, if I could get something beneficial out of it that would be a nice bonus. Holy cacao was I ever amazed!

It turns out that all chocolate is definitely not the same. I can certainly tell the difference between a popular candy bar and expensive boutique chocolate, but I didn’t know anything about processing. And similar to vegetables, how chocolate is processed largely determines how nutritious it remains, and how good it is for you, or not. We all know what happens when we cook vegetables, right?  We lose about half the nutrients.  The same thing happens when you cook the cacao bean, which grows on trees.  Unlike typical chocolate producers, where the intense heating process destroys most of the nutrients, there is one company which uses a patented cold process.

The cacao in this company’s products is non-alkalized, unfermented, sun-dried, non-roasted, and most importantly it is cold processed.  This patented process produces cocoa powder that has antioxidants which are twice the levels of other dark chocolates and it is diabetic friendly. That was a real surprise.

Most commercial chocolate makers, in our post-industrialized, mass produced world, take out the natural cocoa butter and replace it with hydrogenated oils, waxes, and milk fats while adding lots and lots of sugar, along with preservatives and other chemicals.  The industry has taken a natural plant with powerful medicinal properties and turned it into cheap candy. All of this significantly reduces the amount of antioxidants and other natural benefits found in minimally processed cocoa, while adding unhealthful ingredients at the same time. Xocai, on the other hand, retains all the natural goodness and then adds Acai and Blueberries which are also naturally loaded with antioxidants.

What are antioxidants and why should we care?

Antioxidants are molecules which can prevent the damaging and highly detrimental effects of free radicals in our bodies.  Antioxidant molecules accomplish this by neutralizing excessive amounts of free radicals in our body. OK, so why should we want to vanquish as many free radicals as we possibly can?

What are Free Radicals?

Free radicals are atoms with an unpaired electron in the outermost shell.  In the human body there are five major species of free radicals, which in combination cause damage to our DNA, protein and lipids.  Free radicals also contribute to the damaging effects of systemic inflammation. Picture steel which is left outside for awhile and over time begins to rust. This is called oxidation.  Our bodies go through a similar process every day. We experience oxidation, which leads to aging.  It has also been extensively proven that oxidation is the primary cause of more than 200 different degenerative diseases.

Given the stresses of modern life, the environmental realities of our world, and our often poor lifestyle habits and choices, free radicals are part of everyday life. What we can do to counteract this is to eat foods which are rich in antioxidants.  This effectively combats excessive amounts of free radicals in our bodies and prevents or significantly decreases oxidative damage.

What is the ORAC Score?

ORAC is an acronym for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. Brunswick Laboratories is a recognized, independent, third-party leader in antioxidant testing of nutritional products.  A Total ORAC FN is the total ORAC score assigned to a product in terms of its food and nutritional value.  To achieve maximum health benefits some studies have determined that we need to consume  4,000 to 5,000 mg of antioxidants daily, and at least 1000 mg of flavonoids throughout the day. There are further studies which show we may need over 15,000 ORAC a day. OK, so what are flavonoids and where do we get them?

What are Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are plant-based antioxidants that help our body’s cells resist damage caused by free radicals.  Consuming foods containing flavonoids has been conclusively linked to numerous health benefits.  Current research indicates that cacao is one of the richest sources of flavonoids of any known food.  There are a variety of classes of flavonoids, although one class in particular, the flavonols, has generated tremendous excitement in the research of dark chocolate.  Among them are epicatechins and catechins.  These are two of the most powerful antioxidant compounds within the chocolate I have come to respect as well as love.  Xocai’s cold processing results in a cocoa powder with eight times the levels of these flavonols as opposed to cocoa powder which is produced using standard processes.

Some Comparison Values

Cocoa has a higher ORAC score than many other highly effective antioxidants, including red wine, green tea, Acai and blueberries. The ORAC Value of three X Power Squares of Xocai Healthy Dark Chocolate (which are certified Kosher) equals 6.5 pounds of tomatoes; or 1.6 pounds of spinach; or .4 pounds of blueberries. When comparing one fluid ounce of Xocai Activ with other popular healthy drinks and juices it has a significantly higher ORAC score. Xocai Activ has an ORAC value of 5,270; MonaVie 2,027; Xango 550; Tahitian Noni 500; Himalayan Gogi 400.     (from MXI Corp. [Xocai Healthy Chocolate] and the ebook, Healthy Chocolate in 2012 by Adam Paul Green).

More than a Consumer & Connoisseur

Many years ago there was a unique and effective commercial on television.  It was for an electric razor.  An older gentleman comes on the screen. He is personable, looks directly into the camera, and explains that after using this shaver he was so impressed with it that he bought the company.  It was the same kind my beloved grandfather used, and I thought the commercial was really quite moving.  Decades later, I feel as if I’ve had a similar experience with Xocai Healthy Chocolate.  After loving the taste, then becoming aware of its many impressive health benefits, learning about the company’s commitment to being fair-trade, all natural and sustainable, I am now more than a customer.  I’ve become an independent distributor, and being warmly received on former NFL player JJ Birden’s team is a kick. You can meet JJ here:  http://globalpreneurs.com/p.php?s=76870

So often we wish we could do more to help others we care about, who are having health challenges, or have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight, or who suffer from the adverse effects of oxidative stress or inflammation, maybe they have trouble sleeping, battle low energy or mood swings. We’d like to help, but what can we offer, what can we do?  Now we can encourage them to learn about the far-reaching benefits of healthy chocolate; but not just any chocolate.  Only Xocai holds the trademark, and Xocai is The Healthy Chocolate.

You can find a lot of expert information about the history of cacao, as well as data, findings and related results from extensive scientific studies and medical research at http://mydrchocolate.com

Understanding the power of healthy chocolate and learning about how it has changed lives has been exciting and enlightening for me.  When my friend first gave me some Xocai I thought it was the most delicious chocolate I’d ever had.  But that was it.  I didn’t have any idea of its remarkable world history, medicinal qualities or health benefits. What I found is the more we learn, the more there is to love. Life-long learning is so much fun.

If you’d like to learn more about just how healthy and good this naturally cold processed chocolate is, I invite you to watch the short videos at:  www.The-Healthy-Chocolate.com

Seen Anyone Swallowing a Camel?

There is a sharp-edged teaching in the Gospels about neglecting what is important and focusing instead on matters that are trivial in comparison. The religious authorities in the story are feigning qualities of piety and leadership.  There is great posturing and pretense on their part, but they are not exercising true leadership.  Because of this they are called blind guides who are “straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel.” They are busy tithing spices while neglecting “the weightier matter of the Law…”  They are giving sprigs of mint instead of doing what is just; they are putting out pinches of dill instead of showing mercy; and they are offering dashes of cumin in place of expressing deep faith (Matt. 23).

Giving a tenth of their spices instead of giving of themselves to what really counts, has led to a harsh judgment. In the same way, being just, merciful and faithful leads to a full and harmonious life which is in accordance with God’s will and the ways of abundant life and blessing.

Regardless of one’s religious observance, there are critical lessons here. The main point of the story has to do with hypocrisy and the foolishness of leaders who neither understand nor acknowledge what is most important, and what takes precedence.  Doing something for show, while not practicing what one professes is the first charge.  Burdening others with what they themselves refuse to bear is the other.

In this story, we find the concept of servant leadership. “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

There seem to be many who have expectations of others which they themselves do not observe.  We are seeing this as never before in our elected and appointed leaders.  Remember the notion of “public servant?” Who among us could run a household or a business with massive debt and expect someone else to be responsible for it?  What about all of the harsh political rhetoric, finger-pointing, blaming, name-calling, self-serving false promises, and the manipulation of everything from our currency, to interest rates to the media? Add to this all the clamoring for more and more entitlements, and more corporate and government bailouts, when there is absolutely no way to sustain our current commitments or ever repay our government debt. What happened to civility, sacrifice and public service in higher office?

Do you know anyone who is busy making a show of straining out gnats and all the while gulping down something far worse? It is very easy today to lose our way or to be confused.  We have many blind guides in prominent places.  Our attention is being diverted and what most matters is being overlooked. 

Our economy is in turmoil and our leaders are throwing around spices, giving attention to what ultimately will be insignificant, and bankrupting our future by printing money which continues to devalue our currency. People I care about, many of whom I know and others whose stories I hear and read, are scared and uncertain as to what to do, which way to turn, whom to trust.  Everything I’ve learned and everything I spend my time studying catapults me into writing the articles I publish.  It is why I have chosen to be an entrepreneur and love my home-based business. It is how I am able to live my dreams and have the lifestyle I’ve chosen and cherish. It is why I am passionate about helping others.

As I’ve learned so powerfully from Bob Proctor (http://tinyurl.com/SGRAudio) and others, there is another way to understand everything that is happening within and around us. Instead of being debilitating, it can be empowering; you can transition from feeling confused and paralyzed to being empowered and proactive.  But in order to achieve this we must be open, make a real effort to study and learn, and embrace a fundamental change.  We need to awaken and shift our paradigm.

As David Wiedemer, PhD, et al wrote in the New York Times Bestseller, Aftershock, we are in the middle of a bursting multibubble economy.  Denial will not change this reality and neither will wishful thinking. The authors advise that if your head acknowledges that the book makes sense but your heart says, “I want my bubble back!” this is what you need to do: “…take a few deep breaths or have a few stiff drinks or take a nap but, whatever it takes, get over it and get on with your new life in the new economy.  Don’t spend too much time wishing for the good times to magically return. They won’t.  It’s time to wake up and change your thinking.” It is time to do things differently than we’ve done them before.

Our desire to be more, have more and give more must become a stronger force in our lives than the power of our fears (or our self-defeating behaviors or limiting beliefs).  When that happens, it is as if whole new worlds are opened within us, before us and around us.  Then you can begin to trust yourself and your own deep knowing, and stop being led like sheep to the economic slaughter.  Take back your sense of self; your divinely inspired, passionately loved, precious self.  Reclaim your destiny.  Refuse to follow any blind guides or trust any camel gulpers. Inform yourself.  Study.  Learn.  Think for yourself. As James Allen wrote, “You cannot travel within and stand still without.” If you are ready for the renewing of your mind, it is entirely possible because we are actually created and designed to do just that.

We Are in a Time of Tubulence and Change

“In a time of turbulence and change, it is more true than ever that knowledge is power.”  This observation by the late John F. Kennedy comes to mind as I think about all of the economic turbulence we are facing, and the inevitable changes that are headed our way as a result.

As Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki explains, with our U.S. government debt level now at $15 trillion, our debt as a percentage of GDP has jumped from 65% at the end of 2007 to 99% at the end of 2011.

This level of government debt is unprecedented, absolutely unsustainable and quite literally, impossible to ever repay. But what does this mean for us, as individuals and families? Even if we have some notion of the severity of this economic crisis (we might know someone who is unemployed or who has lost their home to foreclosure), it is still hard to envision what is coming.  It is almost impossible to imagine all of the implications and how they will affect us. We are aware that the costs of groceries and gas have gone way up, but we also realize on some level that this is only the beginning. Still, what will the other changes be? What will they look like and what can I possibly do about it?

Those and a host of other reasons make the availability of a new web-based membership site, created by Mike Maloney, all the more valuable.  You may know Maloney as Robert Kiyosaki’s personal precious metals advisor, and one of his Rich Dad, Poor Dad authors. Mike Maloney was selected by Kiyosaki because he is also a world-renowned expert on money and currency, economic history and the cycles of wealth.

This superb new financial education resource site is incomparable.  Mike is committed to helping us understand the fundamentals; to be able to recognize economic trends; and to realize when asset classes are overvalued and heading into a bubble, as well as identifying when asset classes are undervalued. To know what that means for us and what to do about it.

This is a time of global economic turbulence and change. As part of your membership you will:

• Have access to a comprehensive toolkit of economic information
• Receive exclusive, expert analysis of current economic conditions
• Be given cutting-edge insights within the context of a clear historical perspective
• Receive weekly articles and features which will give you a “big picture” view
• Be able to access an extensive collection of articles filled with exclusive economic research and commentary
• Determine how you’d like to receive, and best take advantage of, all this information

In addition to having the benefit of an ongoing, comprehensive analysis of what we are seeing in today’s headlines, explained within the context of economic history, there is something else.  Because Mike is committed to empowering individuals, he gives us an educational framework so that we can look ahead, not be caught unaware, and forced merely to react. He provides information and analysis so that we can make plans ahead of the future, so we can position ourselves, and not be caught merely trying to rebound from what has already happened.

Now more than at any time in our history, we need honest information, critical analysis and practical guidance which is based on fundamental principles and imbued with integrity.  In my experience we have that singularly unique expertise in Mike Maloney.  I am honored to be affiliated with Mike, and to be able to support and further his mission. I too believe in the vital importance of empowering and informing others; and providing world-class financial education which is designed to explain today’s economic turbulence within the context of history, so that we can be in a strong position for the future.

I urge you to get your hands on this essential information while we still have time to prepare. Click on the link and watch the informative video to learn more.

www.wealthyandwisetoday.net

We’ve Crossed an Economic Rubicon: How You Can Prosper

Nighthawk & quote by Napoleon Hill

“Don’t be in debt to anyone, except the obligation to love each other.” Rom. 13:8a (Common English Bible).

Do financial worries keep you up at night?  Do you wonder if your retirement nest egg will be there when you need it?

Given the sweeping implications of our broken economy, the Apostle Paul’s insightful and loving admonition is more timely today than ever. Keep out of debt and don’t owe anyone anything, except to love one another.  After all, it is massive, uncontrolled debt that is bringing down governments around the world; and it is personal and household debt that is keeping way too many good, responsible and caring people up at night.  The sovereign debt crisis is global and many of the implications are very personal.

Never before have we had this level of government debt. Never in the history of our great country have we had to face what is coming. There is no way to avoid it; we have crossed a global economic Rubicon and what has been set in motion cannot be stopped.  Thankfully however, there are ways to prepare for it, and even position ourselves to gain from it with the proper financial education and taking astute action. There is a positive way out of this downwardly spiraling economy. There are opportunities and solutions available to us.  And with this knowledge, understanding and the conviction to do what it takes, you can prosper.

As Napoleon Hill, who lived through the Depression wrote, “Life gives no one immunity against adversity, but life gives to everyone the power of positive thought, which is sufficient to master all circumstances of adversity and convert them into benefits.”   This is not simply a nice quote.  It is not merely some encouraging phrase. These words represent a key insight; they contain a profound truth; from them one can acquire access to a most powerful tool. And one can employ this wisdom in order to prosper.

Dr. Hill spent his life studying failure and success and he possessed a profound understanding of how life, our world and the laws of nature work.  The wisdom in his writings isn’t just about business success and it isn’t simply about how to become a healthier and happier individual.  Hill grappled with life and death issues, he pondered mysteries, saw beyond illusion and appearance, and delved into the depths.  He grasped the inner workings of individuals as well as the marvelous, created world in which we live and breathe and have our being.

Ours is, as Albert Einstein put it, an elegant universe.  There are deep, consistent laws of nature.  Beneath the complexities  there is an underlying simplicity and a unity which is elegantly evidenced. And through my experience of being an entrepreneur I am continually learning more about this.  From business success principles, to the real meaning and importance of “mindset,” to the holistic approach of my primary business (the very mission of which is to increase one’s wealth, health and wisdom) my knowledge is expanding, along with my joy in helping others, and my gratitude for personal success.

What does physics have to do with economics you might ask. We do indeed live in an elegant universe, but in our daily life we might be drowning in debt, and our inner world might be dominated by fear, which diminishes our well-being.  A keen working knowledge of the nature of Nature and our universe can be brought to bear on every day challenges. As Hill beautifully puts it, “Energy is Nature’s set of building blocks, out of which she constructs every material thing in the universe, including humankind, and every form of animal & vegetable life.  Through a process that only Nature completely understands, she translates energy into matter.” For those who have watched the movie, The Secret, this makes clear and compelling sense. 

Given all this, there is something precious and powerful that I have come to know.  I know it beyond any doubt, through personal experience just as countless others know it, too.  I know it  with the same certainty that night follows day, and the seasons maintain their order, and the glorious New Mexico sun gets collected by our solar panels and powers our home, and just as the Milky Way, to my absolute delight, will be visible out my back door tonight.

The sheer power of a positive mental attitude, the ability to harness Nature’s building blocks, the capacity to choose one’s thoughts and channel energy are at our conscious command.  We have, by design, the ability to learn these laws, live in harmony with them and put them to work for us.  Ours is an elegant universe, but an economically scary world.  This creates a sense of urgency and a call to action, as well as the promise of hope.

We are given a clear and strong assurance, which through choice and faith can be realized. As Hill wrote, “I am not a prophet, but I can, with all due modesty, predict that every individual has the power to change his or her material or financial status by first changing the nature of his or her beliefs.”  In this assertion we are reminded that we have the ability to choose our thoughts.  We can learn and employ the laws of nature which explain matter and energy.  We need to vanquish our fears and focus on faith; we must express our gratitude. We must not dwell on dire circumstances, but rather on the life we wish to attract. This is not merely a matter of will power.  It is a matter of choosing our thoughts, deepening our faith and expressing our gratitude. Think of people who are always negative, fearful, blaming and expecting the worst.  They usually get it.  Then think of those people you know who are positive, generous, faithful and take responsibility for their choices and actions.  Which are happier, healthier, more energetic, kind and helpful?  Think there is no connection?  Think again. And always think positively.

Did The News Take You By Surprise?

We were enjoying a wonderful dinner, the four of us engaged in a lively discussion. Then, one voice was raised above the others as he said, “I am absolutely shocked that the U.S. has lost its AAA rating and been downgraded. Especially since Great Britain, Hong Kong, Germany, and several other countries still have an AAA rating.”

At that point I had no intention of writing another article about this topic.  But I feel compelled to, given how important it is and how many people ask me about this.

I immediately sensed his incredulity, and what I suspect was a healthy measure of fear.  After all, never before in our country’s history has this befallen us.  Despite wars, the Depression, recessions and Black Monday, the Savings and Loan crisis, even the September 11, 2001 attacks; we’ve never seen the S & P downgrade U.S government bonds.

As my friend was speaking, I thought to myself that he has been listening to the wrong pundits, reading the wrong material, and relying on the misinformation of our leaders. Indeed the majority of folks are doing this. After all, what are the alternatives?  Where can one obtain clear information and an unbiased perspective which isn’t fraught with political spin?

The Fed chairman and Treasury Secretary have said this wouldn’t happen, but it has.  The news reports that we are seeing a slow recovery, yet what we are seeing is anything but. The economy continues to slow, as home foreclosures continue to escalate; unemployment remains high as the banking industry continues to slump; and the Fed continues to insure the decline of the dollar.

I wasn’t shocked; I wasn’t surprised; I was only saddened that what I had been expecting has now happened.

If the loss of the United States’ triple-A rating was a surprise to you, then you’ve been listening to and believing the wrong voices. If you’re buying the spin of the mainstream media, then you’re being sold down the river. What you need to be buying is gold and silver.  These precious metals are your best hedge against the coming increased inflation.  Gold and silver are a true hedge to stay afloat during the turbulent times ahead. 

The financial education we all need today is a few tributaries off the mainstream.  Because this isn’t our fathers’ world any more.  Unfortunately, if we are to be completely honest, our financial system is: b-r-o-k-e-n.  Period. Do you really believe that this, or any, Administration is going to stop spending money it doesn’t have? Do you really think the Fed is going to stop printing money that isn’t backed by anything? The United States was taken off the “gold standard” in 1971.  Do you know what that means? Every currency around the globe is a fiat currency.  And there is no possible way our national debt will ever be repaid. 

There are a few experts who have been educating and empowering us so that we can not only prepare and protect ourselves and our families, but also profit from the economic events which are unfolding.

Teaching us how to eliminate debt, build wealth and protect our assets through clear and critical financial education which is free of conflicts of interest and imbued with integrity. To learn more, please visit http://www.wealthwithheart.net

“Forewarned forearmed.” This famous quote by Cervantes couldn’t be more timely.  If you were shocked or even at all surprised by the news of the loss of the United States’ triple-A rating, you would be well-served to watch the video, “Why You Need to Invest in Gold and Silver.”  http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver

Below the video is a link which says Buy Gold and Silver.  There is no obligation to buy anything, and it has lots of information.

You may click on the Buy link to reach the site of Mike Maloney, a world-renowned expert, whose site is full of information, articles, videos, charts and graphs.  There is no obligation, and the education is first-rate.

However, if you are at a point where you realize you need to protect and position yourself, you certainly may purchase gold and/or silver here.  I became an affiliate of Mike’s because I heard him speak at several WMI conferences, here and abroad. 

At first I simply became a customer.  Then, as I watched my holdings increase in value, and continued to learn, it became apparent to me that everyone needs to understand and avail themselves of the opportunity to acquire these sound precious metals from a trusted, knowledgeable company.

Recently, more and more people have asked me just how one goes about purchasing gold and silver through the well-respected expert I represent, who is also Robert T. Kiyosaki’s personal precious metals advisor.  Kiyosaki you may recall is the author of the powerful book, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” 

Because of these repeated requests, I offer a brief explanation below.  You may also contact me if you have questions.

•Visit Mike’s web site: click on  http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver, then SCROLL down to the bottom of  the page & click on the Icon Banner

•You will see on the top Navigation Bar: “Buy Gold & Silver”   which has a drop down menu. 

•Select:  “View All Products.”

•I recommend one ounce silver coins and one ounce gold bars. 

•So you can look at Liberty Silver Rounds, for example. 

•Click on there; enter your order quantity, example 500

•Click on Update Order form at Check Out and follow the instructions.  You will be asked to fill in your credit card information, for a small deposit, to secure your order and lock in your price.  Then you will be given clear instructions on how to do a wire transfer at your bank to pay for the balance.  Your order will be sent to you by Certified mail and you will sign for and pick it up at your local Post Office.

There is an Order Help section, an FAQ section, a phone number to speak to a sales representative if you like.  Please be sure to use the coupon code: 1090 Gold & Silver Now, on the form or if you speak to a representative.

If you are hesitant because the price has gone up from when you first started thinking about it, remember that it is projected to go much, much, much higher.  Watch the educational videos in order to see Mike’s projections, and the data on which he bases his conclusions. The longer you wait, the more you will pay. 

To quote Cervantes once again, “Good wits jump; a word to the wise is enough.”  Please know that I want you to be forewarned and wise, not shocked or surprised.

Put Your Feet In It, Not Your Head

A common expression in our culture for someone who refuses to face facts, or who refuses to think about an unpleasant situation, is said to be one who is putting their head in the sand.

In the Illustrated Oxford Dictionary the definition of an ostrich is, “A large African swift-running flightless bird, with long legs and two toes on each foot.”  The second definition is, “a person who refuses to accept facts.” Ostriches are often depicted bent over, with their head hiding in the sand. It’s a telling and troubling image, given that the rest of the big bird is completely exposed and now it can’t see anything.

So an ostrich refers to a bird that cannot fly, and a person who will not accept the facts. I love sand. After all, I choose to live in the high desert of New Mexico. I also love walking on the beach, having done so recently in California as well as Jamaica.  Beach combing, collecting sea shells, and building sand castles can be great fun.

While sand is absolutely wonderful to put your feet in at the beach or to hike on in the desert, sand is not a suitable environment for one’s head. Still it seems as if hiding in it has become the emotional terrain of choice for many today, when it comes to the state of our global economy.

We have a world-wide debt crisis, several potential government defaults, even a possible US default is in the news, and hyperinflation seems certain.  Every currency on the planet is a fiat currency, backed by rhetoric and road apples rather than bullion. And yet the mainstream media talks about recovery; and reports on the various debt plans being proposed – as if the discussions in Washington were substantive rather than mere posturing and politicking. The great American eagle has been rendered flightless, and our so-called leaders have become feckless.

So, for those willing to look at and accept the facts, to get in the game, and to give serious thought to this more than unpleasant situation, what recourse do we have?  What resources are available? Fortunately, there are some real experts with integrity who are absolutely committed to helping others protect and position themselves for what lies ahead. 

Even those of us who want to know more and are willing to take action, who have no intention of putting our heads in the sand, find ourselves in what is fast becoming a different type of sand.  We are caught in a kind of economic quicksand and must take decisive measures so as not to lose our personal financial footing.

Every expert I work with and trust has said that one of the very best hedges against the plunging value of the dollar, and every other paper currency, is gold and silver bullion. Gold and silver are also the best hedge against  imminent inflation.

I remember some years back when I was the executive director and steward of a large agency with several million dollars in assets. I worked closely with a wonderful banker for several years.  One day she told me that she and her husband were moving out-of-state.  Just after being told this, the bank President called and invited me to lunch.  I told him that I was honored, and I knew how busy he was.  I assured him that our account was secure with his bank, despite Katherine’s leaving, and that he needn’t take me to lunch.  He chuckled good-naturedly, since that was the impetus for his invitation.  Then he said he really did want to meet with me anyway.  During what ended up a lengthy and very enjoyable lunch, I still recall a vivid part of the conversation. 

At one point I said, “You know Bob, I’ve been meaning to buy stock in the bank.”  And his response really got to me.  He said, “Linda, I hope you don’t wait too long to purchase the stock.  I don’t want to be sitting here having lunch with you a year from now and hear you say you wish you hadn’t waited.” I purchased a number of shares that week; and a year later they had significantly gone up in price and value.

I talk to a number of people who are now considering purchasing gold and silver.  There is a growing awareness of the importance of owning these precious metals; today’s only real “money” of true and lasting value.  And one of the things I hear is, “Gee, I hate to buy it now.  I remember when it was $300.00 an ounce.”  Or, “Well, it’s so high right now, I think I’ll wait and see if it comes down before I buy any.”  To me, those are what I call bona fide ostrich statements.  All of the signs would indicate that gold and silver are only going to go up in value, with some temporary fluctuations to be expected.  Any time the price of these metals goes down, I see it simply as a great buying opportunity to acquire more. And if one studies the projected highs and understands what is inevitably on the way, you’d know that we will be looking back at today’s prices as an incredible bargain.

If you are remotely interested in learning more; are casually considering acquiring gold and silver; or if you’ve decided it’s the right and timely thing to do, but you don’t know how to go about it,  I urge you to look at the tremendous educational articles and videos by Mike Maloney, one of the world’s leading experts, which are available without cost or obligation.  You may find them at http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the banner icon.

However you proceed, I hope you will do so with your eyes open, your head in the game, and without further delay. I don’t want to have lunch with you in the next few months or next year, and have you recounting your regrets.  Instead, let me hear from you that you took decisive action, and are incredibly glad and grateful that you did.

Concerned About the Economy?

Are you familiar with these news stories?

Bill Gross, PIMCO, sells off all US bonds.

University of Texas buys $1 billion in gold bullion.

Do the far-reaching implications of these headlines mean anything to you?

I have never been a fan of the children’s story, “Chicken Little.”  And I don’t think that the sky is falling.  But just as surely as the sun rises every day, the value of the dollar is falling. This is not some unfounded prediction of calamity, nor is it an overstatement.  There are things that are happening, significant and over-arching things, which are not being adequately addressed and explained in the mainstream media.  This, coupled with a basic human tendency to hope for the best or alternately to be in denial, is cause for concern.  So are the actions of some very big players.

To put this in perspective, Bill Gross is the manager of the world’s largest bond fund; and the University of Texas is the second largest educational endowment in the United States (Harvard is the largest).

If you think the global sovereign debt crisis doesn’t concern you, think again.

If you have any intention of buying a loaf of bread for your table or gasoline for your car, or any other everyday staple in the future, this truly does concern you.

If you have any amount of money in any bank, this does concern you.

If you have any investments in the stock market, this does concern you.

If you have stewardship over funds for any institutions, groups or individuals, this does concern you.

The highly respected Christian Science Monitor reported that, William Gross, manager of the world’s largest bond fund – Pacific Investment Management Co. (PIMCO), on June 13, 2011, told CNBC that “Medicare and other entitlements were putting the US into worse shape than Greece.”

And if you’ve paid attention to world news, you know there has been recent rioting in the streets of that ancient and majestic island.

As reported by Zero Hedge based on their research of company disclosures, PIMCO’s Total Return Fund, which is the world’s largest bond fund, took its bond holdings to zero in January, 2011.  We are talking about going from $28.6 billion in “government related” securities down to zip, zero, nada.

The reason?  Essentially, the US Treasury continues to issue government bonds and the Federal Reserve continues to print fiat currency to buy them.  The U.S. dollar, and every other currency in the world today, is a fiat currency which is backed by nothing (other than the ‘full faith and credit’ of a bankrupt nation).  President Nixon took the USA off the “gold standard” in 1971. What this means is that the government is creating massive debt and the Federal Reserve (which is not a federal institution and has no reserves) keeps printing Monopoly money in order to become the majority buyer of last resort.  The jig is up. It is becoming harder and harder to “sell” our debt to foreign investors who are increasingly wary of the United States’ ability to service (forget ever repay) its insurmountable, yet ever increasing, debt to fund an insolvent government. Ours is a Federal deficit of no return; and a majority of these United States is bankrupt as well.

As Gross reported in his April 2011 column, Investment Outlook:

• Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security now account for 44% of total federal spending and are steadily rising.
• Previous Congresses (and Administrations) have relied on the assumption that we can grow our way out of this onerous debt burden.
• Unless entitlements are substantially reformed, the U.S. will likely default on its debt; not in conventional ways, but via inflation, currency devaluation and low to negative real interest rates.

The following was the headline in an April 16, 2011 story by David Mildenberg and Pham-Duy Nguyen (of Bloomberg.net):

Texas University Takes Cue From Kyle Bass to Hold $1 Billion in Gold Bars

In part, the article states:

“The University of Texas Investment Management Co., the second-largest U.S. academic endowment, took delivery of almost $1 billion in gold bullion and is storing the bars in a New York vault, according to the fund’s board.

…The decision to turn the fund’s investment into gold bars was influenced by Kyle Bass, a Dallas hedge fund manager and member of the endowment’s board, Zimmerman said at its annual meeting on April 14. Bass made $500 million on the U.S. subprime-mortgage collapse.

“Central banks are printing more money than they ever have, so what’s the value of money in terms of purchases of goods and services,” Bass said yesterday in a telephone interview. “I look at gold as just another currency that they can’t print any more of.”

This is beyond serious, it is real and everyone needs to be concerned, because this does affect you just as it affects me. I urge you to become more aware of the far-reaching implications of this dire situation.  Educate yourself and those you care about, before the proverbial stuff hits the fan.  Having never been fond of “Chicken Little,” and given my deep faith and particular world-view, I don’t believe the sky can fall. But it can surely watch as the results of over-burdened entitlement programs, greed and all manner of misuse of power wrecks havoc down here and across our world.

I urge you to watch the video, “Why You Need to Invest in Gold and Silver”

http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver/

Now, I urge you to decide upon some next steps, determine what strategies are right for you and your family, and then please take action to prepare for what is coming.  If I can answer any questions for you, or suggest other resources, you may reach me at wealthwithheart@gmail.com

Mesa-Top Musings: an “off grid” adventure in New Mexico

Recently I recalled a scene in a popular movie from years ago, where this guy from New York City goes to the Deep South.  He is in a hotel room and the air is warm and humid, the night is still.  He can’t sleep until he puts in a cassette tape of city sounds and noises.  Heavy traffic, horns honking, sirens whizzing past.  He settles into bed and happily drifts off, having filled the unwelcomed silence.

That scene was one of the most memorable in the entire film, and has stayed with me mainly because I was more incredulous than amused when I saw it.  No way could I relate to his preference. I have a friend who moved from the East Mountains back to the city because even though her husband loved the two acres on which they lived, she couldn’t stand it.  It was too quiet and she felt isolated.  Last year they sold their property to move back to Albuquerque.  I just sold our two acres, which wasn’t far from theirs, and bought 48 acres south of Santa Fe. 

There are obviously lots of folks who love city life, with all the cultural activities, great restaurants, night life, and shopping, shopping, shopping.  While I very much appreciate many of these amenities and conveniences, I like to visit then head back up to the top of our mesa.  With all of my heart I want these vast reaches of open space, the stunning vistas, the wildlife, the black night skies with countless stars so bright and so close they seem within reach, and the deep and absolute silence.  And in order to have it we are currently, albeit temporarily, living in a camper – with our three dogs.  A Standard Poodle, a Wire Hair Fox Terrier and a little Jack Russell Terrier mix who “found” us and decided to stay.  To say the space is cramped is a bit of a humorous understatement.  Everything takes longer and is more involved, each task and activity of daily living has more steps.  It is a great exercise in patience and feels like a spiritual practice, sharing such a confined space, that blissfully comes with forever views.

Our camper has a slide-out which contains the dining table and cushioned benches.  Today our poodle and wire hair fox terrier took a nap, side by side, underneath the table where I work on my laptop computer.  I thought it was worth a picture; and the picture, to me at least, is worth the proverbial thousand words.  While the boys were happily snoozing under the table, our little Sophie, the Jack Russell mix, was draped across the cushioned bench opposite me, supervising my work. 

There are those who truly enjoy living in a quadraphonic world, with multiple sources of stimulation and the ever-present possibility of sensory overload.  In contrast and by choice, the majority of my day is spent not in surround-sound, but in surround-silence.  Throughout the day various birds provide momentary concerts; and at night we hear boisterous coyotes, and the hauntingly beautiful melodies of an owl who lives somewhere near. 

An “off the grid” lifestyle seems to appeal to some intellectually or conceptually, but few are willing to actually do what it takes.  Living simply is not easy, and putting in the infrastructure to be self-reliant is very expensive.  There are many costs, not all of which are monetary. Choosing to live this way understandably appeals to a relatively small number of folks.  We have encountered those who appreciate it as adventuresome and many who think we are courageous, crazy or a combination of both.  The decision and the conviction to pursue this dream is a direct result of my becoming an entrepreneur and an Internet marketer.  While that may seem peculiar, it is true.  What I have learned about mindset, personal growth and visualizing has emboldened me.  Coming to understand the profound truth that “in order to have something you’ve never had before, you must do something you’ve never done before” has been transformative.

As Abraham Maslow has said, “One can choose to go backward toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” At this point in my life, I am embracing this wisdom in a way I never before would have considered.  

It is said that New Mexico doesn’t have spring, it has wind.  As in rip-roaring gusts that can re-arrange your clothes and threaten to literally sweep you off your feet. Yesterday was like that.  Today it has been completely still, becalmed.  A stillness that is so calm and peaceful, I am overflowing with wonder and gratitude.  Until I lived here I didn’t think much about wind. Certainly would not have imagined it as one of the four seasons! In California we had windy days and about the most I would say, think or feel about them is that I didn’t like them.  Here it is different.  The wind is a force with which one must grapple.  It can be fierce and unwieldy and there is absolutely no getting around it.  But more than that, it has captured my attention and caused me to become aware, curious and respectful.

Wind in the desert has so many moods and voices.  On our mesa-top it can go from complete and profound silence infused with a deep stillness, to whispering through the trees, to howling winds of such velocity and volume that it is almost deafening and disorienting.  The winds can rip branches from trees, just as they can gently carry the melody of a songbird, or the scent of sage and cedar unknown distances.  The winds artfully re-arrange countless cloud formations with an elegant choreography that is captivating to watch.  And when the breezes are just so, the ravens appear and windsurf on invisible currents, frolicking to and fro as they dip in a free fall, only to make another ascent, climbing higher and higher into the bright blue sky.

This experience, this off grid adventure, is turning out to be its own season.  And it is a most joyful one at that, high up here where one can watch with unobstructed views as the sun rises over the Sangre de Cristos and sets beneath the Jemez.  In addition to those mountain ranges, we live in visually intimate proximity to the Sandias, the Ortiz, and the Cerrillos Hills. The expansiveness and spaciousness of our 360 degree views come with a breathtaking landscape that has been repeatedly visited by sun, rain and snow, and is alternately sculpted by wind and soothed by silence. This enchanting place we now call home, on the top of a New Mexico mesa.

How My “Comfort Zone” Almost Lead Me to Financial Ruin: A very personal book review

“…your comfort zone is your failure zone – to get anywhere worth going in life, you’ve got to learn to reach beyond it to what I call your achievement zone.  Today, the majority are so overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear that they’re unable to see or respond to the opportunities for positive change that are literally all around them. Confusion and fear keep us trapped in our comfort zone indefinitely while incredible opportunities pass us by.”

Having just finished reading an integrity-driven, truth-revealing book of such meaning and merit, it was challenging to select a lead quote.  Some 250 pages, and a dozen chapters, I dog-eared, made notes and underlined myriad sentences.   But this one really stands out for me, because in it I see part of my former self and financial situation. And I see many others, about whom I care deeply.

CRASHPROOF PROSPERITY – Becoming Wealthy in the Age of Risk, by Kip Herriage, is essential reading for every thoughtful, engaged person living today, who is capable of reading.  Admittedly, this is a strong and sweeping statement.  Perhaps I should qualify it by saying anyone, that is, who has money and would like to keep it or increase it; or who doesn’t have money yet needs, wants or would like it; or anyone who has concerns about their financial future; or who tends to use money on a fairly regular basis and hopes to continue being able to do so.

The author of this remarkable book which is destined to challenge assumptions and change attitudes is the CEO and co-founder of Wealth Masters International (WMI), and he was a former Vice President & Money Manager for top Wall Street investment firms for 15 years.  In his book Kip explains that at one point he realized that “the game was rigged” and states, “That’s when I finally realized that I wasn’t put on this earth to serve Wall Street – and that maybe I had some gifts that were meant for a higher purpose.” 

I have had the privilege of hearing Kip speak on several occasions, and have been blessed with several opportunities to personally speak with him.  Both he and Karl Bessey, President and co-founder of WMI, are highly personable men of deep integrity.  They started WMI, the world’s premiere wealth creation community, in 2005 with a mission to help others become self-reliant and create lives of wealth, health and wisdom.  They’ve created a company where motivated individuals can become educated; and through WMI’s business opportunity, we are given all the tools and training necessary to acquire life-changing information, experience live events and learn proven strategies in order to eliminate debt, build true wealth (which is physical, mental, and spiritual, as well as material), and protect their assets for generations to come.

Having immersed myself in a whole new world of learning, there are a couple of things I now know for sure:  this isn’t my father’s world we’re living in; most of what I was taught to believe is obsolete at best, and at times decidedly dangerous to my financial health; and those who do not pay close attention to what is happening economically and who do not take informed, decisive action could end up in a world of hurt.  And most likely will.  

Locally, nationally, and globally we are facing never before seen, and clearly unsustainable, levels of public, private and corporate debt.  We have an administration and a Federal Reserve that are hell-bent on printing more and more fiat currency, virtually guaranteeing hyperinflation and ensuring the continued devaluation of the dollar. What is happening in our economy and around the world is unprecedented in its severity, scope and magnitude.  And this is absolutely no time to sit back, do nothing and hope for the best.  Denial is not a river in Egypt:  it is a powerful psychological mechanism that, if operative within you with regard to the economy, needs to be confronted and overcome.  The most important thing to remember is that we do have choices; and as Kip reminds us, doing nothing is a choice. 

Having lost nearly all of my retirement in the stock market, a while back I was in a cold sweat about my financial future.  I had been snuggly entrenched in my comfort zone, entrusting my hard earned money to so-called “experts” who did not have my best interest at heart.  I finally realized that I had better get out of my comfort zone and take matters into my own hands – fast.  While I had achieved a degree of success and great satisfaction throughout my career as an employee, always lived comfortably and, as I was taught – invested in the stock market through payroll deduction – that turned out to be a bad approach for retirement planning.  Mainly because when it came to my investments, I deferred to the “experts” and delegated too much authority to “my advisors.”  My remaining in that “comfort zone” for so many years nearly resulted in financial ruin.

Joining WMI has changed all of that I now enjoy investing and thankfully my portfolio looks markedly different than before.  Today I have a very different understanding of money, currency and assets; about what money is (and what it is not); and how it works.  Becoming a mid-life entrepreneur has been not only a blessing, it is also a blast!

“Some people fold under pressure.  Others focus.  You have a choice today – which kind of person do you want to be?”

In his book, Kip gives us history, analysis, interpretation, rich market content, and step by step strategies.  He gives the benefit of his vast experience regarding the economy, money, currency, policy and the implications and “unintended consequences” of various decisions and actions.  Fortunately, he also gives us integrity-driven counsel on how to not only survive, but prosper in the midst of our economic situation, and how to prepare and position ourselves for what most likely lies ahead.

I can’t help but share with you a few lines from the stirring and well-known hymn, Amazing Grace, by John Newton, given that it came to mind several times while reading this powerful book.  As Kip states, we’ve got to learn to reach beyond where we are. We need to learn, begin to see things differently, to make informed choices, and take decisive action.  Learning about the economy, economic policy, fiat currency, the value of gold and silver, and coming to see my own situation in light of this learning is reminiscent of Newton’s song.  Because much like my indelible, life-transforming Damascus road conversion experience, this knowledge jolted me out of my comfort zone, caused a paradigm shift in my thinking about money, re-ordered my priorities, enlightened me and continues to immeasurably enrich my life.

…I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.

I was blind or truly unaware and uninformed about many things monetary.  Then, as I began to learn and to “see,” I was very fearful.  The implications of what is happening can be truly frightening.  And yet it was that very same knowledge or “grace” which shook me to my core that also “relieved” my fears.  That is to say, the learning that gave me a frightful wake-up call also contains within it the newfound wherewithal to see the opportunities, the actions I can take, and the solutions which are also present.  With crisis comes great opportunity.  I find it fascinating and remarkable that in Chinese, the word or character for “crisis” and “opportunity” is the same.  It is only how the word is used in context that determines its meaning.  It’s your future, which will you choose?  Will you be caught in this monetary crisis or seize the monumental opportunity?

A point that Kip has made several times in his book, his various articles and when I have seen him speak is that it is essential to think like a “contrarian.”  To not be lulled into accepting the misinformation of the mainstream media, or be mislead because of the ubiquitous ‘conflicts of interest’ in seemingly every area of our lives today. Kip stresses the importance of researching, learning, understanding and doing our own due diligence.  To not be like the masses who are being blindly influenced by ‘special interests’ whose only specialty is self-interest.

“Entrepreneurs are willing to think independently, take informed risks and enjoy the rewards that come from living close to the edge.”

What I have come to realize and appreciate is that for most of my 50+ years on this planet, I have tried to do the right thing, I’ve worked hard and cared deeply, and yet in many financial matters have trusted others more than I have trusted myself.  This journey of new learning has taught me, among many other things, that no one else cares as much about my financial situation as I do (or need to).  If you only read one book this year, make it CRASHPROOF PROSPERITY – Becoming Wealthy in the Age of Risk, by Kip Herriage .  I believe you’ll have your eyes opened, get shook up, and then, hopefully will make the choice to take integrity-driven, informed action to position yourself and your family for what surely looms ahead. It is clear that Kip’s passion and commitment is to educate and empower others; and he has the knowledge, heart, expertise and track record to continue to do it impressively.  The information is there, and the choice is ours to make.

For more about WMI & my story please visit http://bit.ly/LindaComptonMasterConsultant

It’s Time to Get Prepared, So We Will Be Prepared

It has been many months since I wrote the article about my surprise diagnosis. When I was told that I was well into Stage 2 Hypertension, I was stunned, scared and determined to reverse it without prescription medication – against the strong objections of my doctor.  Happily, today I weigh 10 pounds less, I work out 6 days a week for 30 minutes, and my blood pressure is normal without medication.

While I have been able to control my blood pressure with diet and exercise, by far the biggest factor was controlling the sodium in my diet.  I hadn’t realized before this “incident” that I am salt sensitive.  As it turns out many people are, and most don’t know it.  Salt is found in almost all prepared and packaged foods, and it is really important to become aware of these levels and monitor our intake.

One of the biggest issues for me became our emergency food reserves – the vast majority of which we had in cans, and of course, canned goods are loaded with sodium.  After living for years in California and being inculcated about the importance of Earthquake Preparedness, I have been fairly aware of the need to have food reserves on hand.  But after Hurricane Katrina my awareness was kicked up a few notches.

Today, it is the dismal state of the economy, the severe devaluation of the dollar, the news about impending food shortages and the recent price increases in the cost of commodities that has escalated my commitment to having back-up food on hand.  Natural disasters can occur anywhere at any time, but the “perfect storm” of economic conditions is even more of a concern now.

It has become painfully evident that I don’t want to depend on a bankrupt government for my food security.  It is also evident that we need to become much more self-reliant.  Clearly, emergency food reserves equals food security. As Adlai E. Stevenson has noted, “A hungry man is not a free man.”  If you had to shelter in place because of a natural disaster, economic meltdown or some other crisis, how long could you provide for yourself and your family?

Given that I needed to find a “healthy alternative” to canned foods – which are also heavy, take up a lot of storage space and only have about a 2 year shelf-life – I began searching in earnest. 

What I found is the perfect solution.  And in fact it is such an ideal solution for my family and me that we have decided to help spread the word.  I am passionate about helping others, and believe it is so important to raise awareness about this vital issue, and to sound a timely call to action. 

We’ve found an experienced company that offers dehydrated premium-grade fresh, raw foods.  There are no additives, no GMO, it is all vegetarian, and there are gluten-free and dairy-free options as well.  Another wonderful feature is that these gourmet meals are delicious.  To be perfectly honest, I am a very finicky eater and if I don’t really like something I simply won’t eat it.  These meals are easy to prepare, easy to store and remarkably, they have a 15-year shelf life. 

I invite and encourage you to watch the video at the link below and to seriously consider these emergency food reserves for yourself and your family.  Just today I received an email from the National Inflation Association (NIA) entitled, “China Importing U.S. Food Inflation,” which addresses the severe shortages in China of cotton, corn, sugar and other crops.  NIA has been predicting major food shortages around the world for some time now; even as they have been encouraging Americans to “…stock up on and store agricultural products.” 

This entire line of thinking has been a challenge for me.  I have always been a “the glass is half full” kind of person.  I believe in the goodness of people and have always respected authority.  However, there are so many events pointing to the need for greater self-reliance that I believe we now must take more responsibility for our own financial and food security.

Our national debt can simply never, ever be re-paid; unemployment continues to hurt countless families; and our failed economic policies as well as the actions of the Fed, have ensured the demise of the dollar.  A good friend of mine said recently that he now invests in nothing other than the three G’s:  gold, guns and groceries.  I certainly advocate owning gold and silver bullion.  My personal holdings have gone up significantly in the past 12 months (with dramatic increases yet to come, given all the fiat currency around the globe), and I love being affiliated with Mike Maloney (Robert Kiyosaki’s personal precious metals expert):  http://goldsilver.com/home/ref/1090.

And now I am absolutely delighted to introduce you to the most delicious option I have found for ensuring your family’s food security:  www.dailybreadforyou.myefoods.com.  If you have any questions, or if I may help you in your discernment process regarding your own financial or food security, please email me at wealthwithheart@gmail.com

The Boy Scouts are correct: “Be Prepared.”  We simply can’t survive and thrive long without nourishment.  And when you are hungry, nothing else really matters. As Rabelais has noted, “No clock is more regular than the belly.”

 

“If You Could Help Yourself, Would You?”

Recently, I saw a solo ad for a business opportunity with a colleague of mine and the headline was, “If you could help yourself, would you?”  I thought it was a brilliant advertisement.  And very telling, because more often than not the answer is, “Well, yes but…”  In other words, “No.”

When solutions and opportunities

Photo & design by Linda Compton

are right in front of us, why do we so often insist on looking elsewhere?  Why do we immediately think of why it won’t work, or why we can’t do it, or we try to find something else, anything else, other than what is readily available? 

 If I could wish just one thing for those who are unhappy, feeling scared, stuck or unsure of themselves, it would be this:  Study with Bob Proctor.  He is one of the most dynamic, spirited and insightful teachers I’ve been with on my journey of life-long learning.  His teachings are so clear and practical and speak to us right where we live.  The reason I can make this sweeping statement with such confidence is that what Bob teaches is universal.  It is applicable to you if you are a human being with thoughts and feelings who lives in this world.  Period.  I learned more from Bob in a week-end seminar about the human mind and heart, than I did in my post-graduate studies in pastoral counseling.  And the insights continue to be many and meaningful as I remain committed to my on-going studies with him.

I’m sure you’ve seen the sign with the international circle and line through it that says,  “No Whining.”  For years I often wished I could find a more effective way to “speak the truth in love” to someone who is hurting, afraid, or perennially negative.  Today I know what to say.  Because the truth is no one needs to live like that. The fact is that we choose our thoughts; our thoughts cause our feelings; and our feelings determine our actions.  Each one of our actions, by universal law, causes an equal and opposite reaction, which subsequently gives us the results we have in our lives.  I have learned this from studying with Bob, who asserts, if you want to change your results then change your thoughts.  But more than that, I have experienced the transformative power of his teachings as I daily put into practice these laws and strive to live in harmony with them. 

To the naysayers, I would simply respond, “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”  Because frankly, if you honestly and wholeheartedly try it, you won’t be able to do anything but embrace it and grow.  If, however, you aren’t willing to try, then please don’t repeatedly pour out your woes to me.  I am in the empowerment and solutions business, and will go all out for those willing to try, to take action, to brave change. These are the individuals with whom I choose to spend my time and these are the people who energize and inspire me every single day.

Now, if you don’t want to accept responsibility for your thoughts, choices and actions, or if you are unwilling to hold yourself accountable, that is a different matter.  However, please realize that regardless of your attitudes, the immutable laws of the Universe are still operative.  The very purpose and thrust of nature is the advancement, fuller expression, and development of life.  As Wallace D. Waddles observes, “You naturally want to become all that you are capable of becoming; this desire to realize innate possibilities is inherent in human nature.  Success in life is becoming what you want to be.”  So if you truly want to gain sparkling insights into how to enhance your life and enliven your world, and you are open to transformational learning, then I invite you to join with me in the joy of deep discovery and heighted personal development.  Sign up now at http://bit.ly/Secret-to-YourSuccess

Turning 21st-Century Straw Into Gold – A Lesson From Rumpelstiltskin

Nursery rhymes and children’s stories educate and entertain through the use of colorful illustrations, engaging metaphors and life lessons. In the story of Rumpelstiltskin we meet some interesting characters and find ourselves drawn in to a compelling and fanciful tale.

The title character is a brutish, cunning little man who has the ability to spin straw into gold. A classic tale, the story centers around a poor miller, his beautiful daughter, a greedy King and the clever Rumpelstiltskin. It is a brief tale filled with deception, avarice, and promises made which, from the outset, are not intended to be honored. I find the dishonesty and deceit especially troubling and was always uncomfortable with that element of the story, even as I was intrigued.

Today this beloved children’s story seems oddly relevant and offers some interesting counsel for us. It has become more and more apparent that all the paper currencies of the world are now fiat currency. This sadly includes the U.S. dollar, which President Nixon took off the gold standard in 1971. Meaning from that time forward, it is backed only by the “full faith and credit” of our government. The problem with this is that the United States Government is perilously in debt, and continues to print currency with nothing else behind it. It is essentially Monopoly money, and this means it is only a matter of time before inflation will further erode its value. Our currency is becoming little more than straw. The devaluation of the dollar, through the fiscal policies of the Fed, is causing our currency to be reduced to 21st-Century straw.

One of the best ways to position ourselves against the dollar’s ever decreasing value is to spin this straw into gold while we still can. The purchase of precious metals, especially silver and gold, is being recommended by many top-tier financial experts who are reading the signs and seeing the dire consequences – in light of history, precedent, and that which is all too predictable.

It is easy to feel confused and overwhelmed by all of the cacophonous proclamations of the so-called pundits; the dizzying posturing of those steeped in conflicts of interest; and the grand pirouettes of political spin. It is sometimes difficult to know whom to trust, how to proceed, what to actually do. For these reasons it is even more important to educate ourselves. I have found the writings of Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump and Michael Maloney especially helpful. And now, on a professional and first-person basis, the counsel and writings of Kip Herriage of Wealth Masters International, G. Edward Griffin, and Peter Schiff are absolutely invaluable to me. The writings of Martin Weiss, Larry Edelson, Tony Sagami and Sean Brodrick of Uncommon Wisdom (published by Weiss Research) offer excellent insights about the U.S. and international economic scene. Including interpretive commentary on what is happening particularly in the Asian and European markets.

Neither the U.S. economy in particular nor the global economy in general, held much interest for me. It’s curious and quite remarkable that I could be so casual about something so fundamental. But to be honest, until I hit 50-something and saw my retirement portfolio all but disappear, I just didn’t pay much attention. I had always made a good living, and I guess in retrospect I just figured that would be enough. Well, clearly those assumptions were based on a different time and another world. My learning is now turbo-charged, I assure you.

In my lifetime we put a man on the moon. But we also went from the Industrial Age to the Information Age. And very many of us who placed ourselves in a wage system rather than in a profit system, have been caught up short. Of course, it is much easier to see and understand this now that I have made the transition from employee to entrepreneur; and have an up close and personal understanding of the implications of these very potent distinctions. 20/20 hindsight enables us to glean meaning through reflection; but the value comes in learning from the past and applying it to the future.

Today, the lesson for me from the story of Rumpelstiltskin is to see our currency as 21st-Century straw, and to spin much of it into gold and silver while we can. It is important to understand that our world has changed, the rules by which we were taught to play are not respected by many; and in the face of deception, avarice and false promises that will not be honored, it is even more imperative that we strive to live within our integrity and be thoughtful, informed and intentional about preparing for what looms ahead.

There are resources available; professionals with integrity, who are called and committed to educating and empowering us; sound investments to be made; profit system based opportunities from which to choose; and various other options one can explore and embrace. The crucial thing is to assess where you are, and then determine what you need to do to securely position yourself: then take decisive action and do just that.

Helping you turn the economic downturn to your advantage – so you can avoid Boomer to Bust and begin building wealth with heart. Your success is my goal. As a successful, mid-life Internet marketer and mentor, Linda is committed to helping others avoid going from Baby Boomer to Bust. Despite today’s rocky economy, there are viable options and exciting opportunities. You may personally ask her about them by visiting her websites and using the contact information. Linda Compton has a BA in Philosophy; a Masters degree in Gerontology; and a Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1987. She has 30 years combined, professional experience in multinational corporate management; non-profit leadership; the interfaith movement; and philanthropy. Linda is co-owner of Wealth With Heart, LLC and is an M3 Master Consultant with WMI. Among her passions are Internet marketing and mentoring; photography; puppies; gardening; and exploring the great Southwest. http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver/   Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Compton

The QE2, Not Your Parent’s Cruise Ship: An Impassioned Plea

Linda with Mike Maloney

When I hear QE2, I usually think of the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, a stately transatlantic ocean liner that operated from 1969 to 2008.  But in the news today, another QE2 was being launched.  The United States Federal Reserve, as reported by DailyFinance, announced that it will begin the second phase of its quantitative easing program, known as the QE2.  

The Fed said it will buy up to $600 billion more in long-term U.S. Treasury bonds to “help” stimulate a U.S. economy which is sluggish and growing too slowly.  This new round of asset purchases will occur over time through the middle of 2011, at a rate of approximately $75 billion a month.  However, when this new infusion is added to their existing program of asset purchases, the amount is closer to $110 billion a month.

So, this is not your parent’s favorite cruise ship we’re talking about here.  But make no mistake, while there is no luxury cruise, we the people are definitely being taken for a ride.  The more money the Fed creates  “out of thin air,” which is backed by nothing other than the “full faith and credit of the United States government” – our government which has more debt than it can ever possibly repay, the more they devalue the dollar.  Our paper currency could be worth less than toilet paper soon.

If you have not watched the video I made entitled, “Why You Need to Invest in Gold and Silver,” I invite – no, I urge – you to watch it now.  http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver/

Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the link to Mike Maloney’s website.  By clicking on this link, Buy Gold and Silver you are not committing to making a purchase, it is simply taking you to Mike’s website from mine. Mike is Robert Kiyosaki’s personal precious metals advisor, and a Rich Dad Poor Dad author.  I have heard Mike speak several times, and was so impressed I became an affiliate. His site is loaded with information, and has lots of educational videos you may watch without any obligation.

I implore you to learn as much as you can about the implications of the Fed’s announcement today.  I feel so strongly about this because the mainstream media is not covering the story in a thorough way.  If it were not for Wealth Masters International, I would be without a retirement portfolio (having lost mine after listening for years to the “experts”).  You may read my story here, if you like www.wealthwithheart.net  

Given my experience, and based on everything I’ve been learning, I honestly believe that the only way to truly understand what is happening is to do your own research, and follow the proven wisdom of those who have no conflicts of interest, and consequently are a few tributaries off the mainstream.  That is where you will find the most valuable information today. And that is where you will find the most trustworthy guidance for the even more turbulent economic waters into which we are now heading.

How Are You Spending Your Cosmic Currency – Known As Time?

I have always been fascinated by this cosmic currency we call time.  Referencing this curious temporal economy, we talk about spending time, saving time, managing time, wasting time, killing time, and even looking forward to expending some future time (which we may or may not even have). 

Time is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as, “A continuous measurable quantity in which events occur in apparently irreversible order.”  This definition captures the notion of continuity and duration, which we typically measure in intervals such as minutes, days and years.  Time is something we have – in that it is something we are given.  But we never know how much has been allotted to us, or to put it another way, we don’t actually know with any certainty exactly how much we have left.

The truth is we can’t really budget it.  We can decide how to allocate our time in any given day, or week, but since we don’t know how much we have to spend long term, the duration of our participation in this continuous flow remains a mystery. To me, this makes our choices and decisions about how we live even more compelling.  The Psalmist says, “Teach us to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  How we spend our time and number our days is very important.

I am repeatedly amazed at how some people spend their cosmic currency.  The Dali Lama says to live our lives in such a way that when we are old, we will have no regrets.  That is a noble aspiration. 

Sadly, I have met so many people who are squandering their time being fearful, complaining about their situation, or wallowing in regret.  The past is history and we can do nothing about it – other than to learn from it.  It can inhibit us or inform us.  Mark Twain said, “We spend half our lives worrying about things that never come to pass.”  Can you imagine throwing away fully half of your life’s savings on something absolutely useless, and potentially detrimental, to you?

We went out to eat last night at our neighborhood diner, the East Mountain Grill.  They have a new menu and some new art on the walls.  Happily, our old favorites are still available, and there are some additional choices.  It is a homey place, and more customers than not are wearing blue jeans and cowboy boots.

Two paintings caught my attention.  They were both 30″x 30″ acrylic on wood.  The rustic feel was attractive, but it was what was printed on each that really spoke to me.  The wisdom on each piece made what would otherwise have been an attractive painting very meaningful.  The one by our booth said, “It’ll cost nothing to dream & everything not to.”  I was so impressed with the wisdom of the sentiment that even the dangling preposition didn’t bother me.  The one on the wall behind where I was sitting says, “We tend to seek happiness, when happiness is actually a choice.”

If you are not happy with your life, then it’s time to start dreaming and planning and taking action.  After all, life is a gift (that’s why it’s called the present).  Understanding yourself, candidly assessing your present situation, knowing what you want, and formulating a plan for how to get there requires specialized knowledge.  

You have the power to tap into this knowledge.  I believe each one of us has not only the freedom and ability, but also the obligation to continually enhance our lives. Growth is in our nature.  Options abound, help is readily available, opportunities are abundant, and there’s no time to waste.  If you are unhappy, it’s time to take responsibility, take heart and then take action. 

Helping you turn the economic downturn to your advantage – so you can avoid Boomer to Bust and begin building wealth with heart. Your success is my goal. As a successful, mid-life Internet marketer and mentor, Linda is committed to helping others avoid going from Baby Boomer to Bust. Despite today’s rocky economy, there are viable options and exciting opportunities. You may personally ask her about them by visiting her websites and using the contact information. Linda Compton has a BA in Philosophy; a Masters degree in Gerontology; and a Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1987. She has 30 years combined, professional experience in multinational corporate management (home healthcare & hospital staffing); non-profit leadership; the interfaith movement; and philanthropy. Linda is co-owner of Wealth With Heart, LLC and is an M3 Master Consultant. Among her passions are Internet marketing and mentoring; photography; puppies; gardening; and exploring the great Southwest. http://www.WealthwithHeart.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Compton

A Look at Leadership: How Personal Growth Pays Priceless Dividends

Over the course of my career I’ve held two positions where I was responsible for a staff of 100 or more employees. Both positions were challenging as well as deeply gratifying. When you have a staff of this size, it is fairly common to go through many of life’s various transitions with those on your team, over the course of time. I have officiated at weddings and funerals; have done interventions, and spent myriad hours sharing my views on leadership in hundreds of staff meetings, Board meetings, conferences and community meetings.

One value which I have tried to foster through the years is a model of ’empowerment of,’ rather than ‘power over’ others. Being in a position of authority is principally one of responsibility and stewardship. It is possible to be highly effective as the “boss” without being heavy-handed and hierarchical. Actually, I believe that it is much easier to be effective leading by example rather than by “wearing” one’s power. Since shortly after I began in management, I have tried to support personal and professional growth in my employees, even when it meant the eventuality of “loosing” some of them to better opportunities. I believe leadership includes mentoring, and working to identify and help bring out the best in each individual entrusted to your supervisorial care. This can mean having the courage to be clear and directive when someone is at a loss about how to move forward; or “speaking the truth in love” when disciplinary action is necessary; as well as being generous with affirmation and praise for exceptional work. This approach and commitment to empowering others tends to motivate, enhance individual strengths, and often engenders loyalty. It also tends to foster the traits necessary to build future leaders. Where appropriate and possible, I always promoted from within.

I think this background has heightened my appreciation of my current work as an Internet marketing coach. While my previous experience is invaluable and I am deeply grateful for it, it is really the freedom I now have to work solely with those who work for themselves that I love. And I believe that it is my previous management experience, coupled with my awareness of this distinction that makes me a better coach. I am not responsible for my team-members’ success, but I am in a special position to serve and help support them in their personal commitment to their own success.

Widely respected and internationally known leadership expert John C. Maxwell, expresses this in a marvelous way. He states, “The highest reward of our toil is not what we get for it, but who we become by it.” For me, this captures the deep joy of personal growth and development; and it highlights the true blessings of the privilege of leadership. After all, this is what enables us to advocate, support and then happily witness the transformative power of personal growth in others.

For those of us who are committed to our own continued success, and to the success of others, this kind of life-long trajectory is crucial. As Maxwell states, “Growth is the great separator of those who succeed and those who do not.” I am absolutely dedicated to an ongoing and life-long pursuit of learning; and I encourage this in each of my team members also. As individuals, we are endowed with the glorious ability to learn, grow and enhance every aspect of our lives. By taking full advantage of this, we will make the most of each new day and further our success.

Helping you turn the economic downturn to your advantage – so you can avoid Boomer to Bust and begin building wealth with heart. Your success is my goal. As a successful, mid-life Internet marketer and mentor, Linda is committed to helping others avoid going from Baby Boomer to Bust. Despite today’s rocky economy, there are viable options and exciting opportunities. You may personally ask her about them by visiting her websites and using the contact information. Linda Compton has a BA in Philosophy; a Masters degree in Gerontology; and a Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1987. She has 30 years combined, professional experience in multinational corporate management (home healthcare & hospital staffing); non-profit leadership; the interfaith movement; and philanthropy. Linda is co-owner of Wealth With Heart, LLC and is an M3 Master Consultant. Among her passions are Internet marketing and mentoring; photography; puppies; gardening; and exploring the great Southwest. http://www.WealthwithHeart.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Compton

The Power of Choice and the Promise of Increase

“What’s it all about, Alfie?”  In this classic hit by Burt Bacharach, it poses the question, “Are we meant to take more than we give; or are we meant to be kind”?  Today, as then, it is all about one’s values and choices.

Shoot emerging from a pumpkin seed

But the kicker here, which can easily be misunderstood or overlooked, is that choice is a function of one’s awareness. Often the choices we observe being made would indicate a very limited or self-centered kind of awareness.  We see individuals making choices that indicate their intention is to take more than they are giving, and these choices lead to actions which are devoid of kindness.  Or they are not even really choosing; they are merely reacting out of habit or old patterns, to whatever circumstances present themselves from moment to moment.  Consequently, these individuals are clearly unhappy and don’t have any real awareness of what it’s all about.

It makes me sad when I see good people who are unhappy and unfulfilled in their personal and professional lives. Especially since life does not have to be this way. Because each one of us has the God-given ability to choose the way we live, and to shape our own destiny.  We have free will.  We have the capacity to develop great intelligence; to observe the precise and patterned wonders of nature; and to study the sciences, as well as the wisdom of theology, philosophy and psychology.  And if we choose to learn, and to align ourselves with the universal, spiritual principles which govern our universe, we can profoundly influence the course of our lives. In the same way a tender shoot emerges from its seed and grows as it was designed to, we can emerge from our defenses, our hurts, our fears and various limitations, and whatever else constitutes our shell, to become all we are designed and uniquely created to be.

It has always puzzled me why people who are unhappy with their present circumstances don’t make a change.  Is it really easier for some people to continually make excuses and to blame others rather than to be self-determining?  Why would someone prefer to be a victim rather than to take responsibility for their previous choices and actions, thereby empowering themselves to move forward?  Why would anyone choose to continually squeak about their problems, instead of acknowledging them and finding solutions?  I do understand the dynamic that ‘we don’t know what we don’t know.’  Meaning we can’t always address something if we are unaware of its causes.  But we do know when we are unhappy, and we can seek help and support.  I remember asking a pastoral counseling colleague many years ago about an expression she would sometimes use during conversations with me.  At the time the saying was unfamiliar to me, so I asked what it meant.  She explained that she didn’t have a lot of patience for people who didn’t take responsibility for themselves.  This is what she meant when she’d say, “I don’t suffer fools gladly.”  I understand her feelings.  I have a difficult time relating to individuals who are willing to complain and yet are unwilling to change. On the other hand, when they are ready to make a meaningful change, I am willing to be of assistance.

We have the power to choose, the ability to learn and the capacity to change and to grow.  There is so much for which to be grateful, and so much to offer others when we ourselves are filled to overflowing.  This is why I am passionate about coaching those who are motivated and want more for themselves, their families, their friends and their communities.  This is why I am committed to helping others become more aware of what it’s all about, so those who truly want to change their lives can make informed, and even inspired, choices.  Choices that honor and enhance life, give value and lead to increase.  As the universal, spiritual principles indicate, the universe is always for expansion and increase.  If we live in harmony with these laws we will experience happiness and abundance, and seek opportunities to give back.  Like the law of gravity, the other laws or universal, spiritual principles are operative whether we believe in them or not. And as the song says we’ll even be able to offer, “…something even non-believers can believe in.”

Buffalo Medicine and the Power of Gratitude

center of sunflower

 

A few days ago I reached into my purse, took out my wallet and removed a coin.  It was a quarter.  I was delighted to see that on one side it says Kansas 1861, and has the image of a beautiful buffalo. There are also three sunflowers, much smaller in size.  We, too, have an abundance of sunflowers, often called sunburts, here in New Mexico.  I think they are lovely. 

Both the great state of Kansas and the prominent river running through it, are named after the Kansa (Kaw) Indians who hunted bison across its vast plains and cultivated its fertile lands. Buffalo provided the major source of sustenance for the Plains Indians.  Meat for food; hides for clothing and coverings; and from the hooves glue was made. 

I am drawn to buffalo, and find them to be both stately and magnificent.  This past week-end we headed to Santa Fe to have  breakfast at Tecolote, one of our favorite restaurants.  I had atole (blue cornmeal) and pinon pancakes. They are my favorite!  And this time was no exception; they were fabulous.  

On the southwest outskirts of Santa Fe there is a small congregation of buffalo, often visible from the Turquoise Trail.  We saw them on the way to breakfast and, as always, seeing them made my heart sing.  

In native traditions, all animals are sacred; yet for many the white buffalo is the most sacred.  White buffalo often symbolize abundance. It is said in the Medicine Cards that, “The medicine of Buffalo is prayer, gratitude and praise for that which has been received.  Buffalo medicine is also knowing that abundance is present when all relations are honored as sacred, and when gratitude is expressed to every living part of creation.” 

In the teachings of Bob Proctor, the power and place of gratitude is reminiscent of this native understanding.  Gratitude keeps us connected with power; because when you express gratitude which is directed to and reaches God, then God (the Supreme Power or Great Spirit) in turn responds with a spontaneous movement toward you. This is how it is that the movement of our heart’s desire will always be toward us.  Gratitude alone can keep you looking toward the Infinite and keep you from falling into the error of thinking that supply is limited.  In other words, by focusing on and expressing our gratitude, we maintain the sure and certain knowledge that abundance is present.  Gratitude always draws our minds closer to the infinitely abundant Source, from which all blessings flow.  In one of his lessons, Mr. Proctor quotes from the most ancient of texts,  The Upanishads:  

Out of Abundance,
He took Abundance,
and still Abundance remained.                            

Being grateful and giving thanks is a powerful spiritual practice; and the more we express our gratitude, the more we become aware of all there is for which to be grateful.  And then, even more abundance comes to us and is made manifest.  Among the countless gifts for which I am truly grateful, I am deeply thankful for the power, presence and beauty of buffalo in my life.  And for what they symbolize.