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What is Real Abundance?
"Abundance is not a question of how much one has but of what one's attitude is.”
––Rick Jarow
In a time where layoffs, falling markets, and media "doom and gloom" would have us believe that times are "worse", we're drawn––almost forced, to look within at our own perceptions of real abundance.
When I began Dreams Alive back in 1996, little did I know how I'd have to grapple with my own inner abundance issues. As I began, I had enough enthusiasm to light a small city for a year. Something began to happen to me though after the first 6 months or so of next to zero sales. I began to struggle with my own abilities. Doubts about my direction crept in. I had more bills than money to pay them. My inner critic (read: ego) started "squashing my own Dream". I hadn't yet developed the wisdom to see through the ego layer of suffering to transcend it––and live from a deeper level of knowing...
In his powerful book, Creating The Work You Love, author Rick Jarow describes what abundance really is:
"To truly accept what you have, your gifts, your experiences, and your chronic shortcomings––is no simple matter. But this is where your riches lie, for no one can duplicate your experiences; no one is born under the exact set of circumstances, and therefore no one else can make the same contribution to the world that you can."
Inner acceptance is synonymous with abundance. Within ourselves we have a vast untapped source of true power––not ego power, but authentic power from our Spirit. When we connect with this authentic power (from the base chakra) we can create miracles.
But if we try to "get rid" of negative feelings or thoughts, we energize the very feelings we're trying to get rid of.
Rick Jarow writes:
"To be abundant is to accept the validity of your destiny, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. Behind the chronic weakness or seeming disability is a message that needs to be received and a healing force that needs to find its place.
Abundance is, above all, the belief––and even more importantly, the feeling––that one is loved. When we feel loved by life itself, we begin to feel there will always be a place for us in the world.
The terrible fear of abandonment needs to be met and seen for what it is––a valley that must be walked through in order to move into a place of trust.
Notice how Rick mentions the feeling that one is loved. This doesn't happen from the outside-in, but rather from the inside-out. Our sense of abundance and meaning can't come from any external source––it has to come from within ourselves.
I realized that in order to release feelings of fear and lack, I had needed to first accept these feelings. Susan Castle helped me re-learn that feeling of inner trust through her powerful Essence Method. And everything changed within me from that point forward. I found that place within me of true abundance, Love and inner acceptance, and it has never left me.
As you move forward today into your new week, you can feel a deeper sense of calm––knowing that you have special gifts to give to the world, my friend. If you find that you’re experiencing feelings of fear, anxiety, doubt or uncertainty, remember to b r e a t h e through these feelings. Because Love and fear cannot co-exist in the same moment.
There are only two basic emotions––love and fear. And each moment, we have the choice to live from either.
What abundance really means, is to trust yourself––moment to moment––or what Rick calls "regenerative trust".
From this moment forward, notice how you feel. If you feel anything but calm, your feelings are trying to communicate with you. Most people avoid these feelings, but you now know better. You now realize that your feelings are your power––they are your abundance––they are your keys to authentic freedom.
If you feel on course, just breathe in and send out gratefulness and your energy will be multiplied tenfold.
If you’re feeling fear or uncertainty, then breathe into your feelings and you will release the power that's been trapped within these feelings.
Above all, remember to:
b r e a t h e
b r e a t h e d e e p l y . . .
three times . . .
and your inner abundance will flow back to you. Sometimes in spurts, sometimes it may seem to be hiding, but you now know that the key to abundance is within you.
Many Blessings and DARE to Dream...
Paul Bauer - President of Dreams Alive
Where Your Life's Dreams Take Flight
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