Dear Money, I Love You

 
I just thought I'd let you know that.  There are so many reasons that I love you.

I love you for keeping me nourished.

I love you for keeping me safe and sheltered.

I love you for the comfort you bring me.

I love you for showing me the world.

I love you for all the education you have provided me with.

I love you for taking me home when I miss my family.

I love you for all the good times: the movies, the restaurants, the pubs, clubs and bars, the festivals, the concerts, the theatre, the dances, the shopping, oh, the shopping!

Money, you bring me so much joy.  Without you I wouldn't have the friends that I have.  I wouldn't have my loved ones.  People underestimate how much love you are capable of bringing....but not me.  You have filled my life with love, happiness and joy.

And I love you!  Thank God for you!  Thank you, Universe, for this wonderful money!

This post was inspired by my morning meditation session.  I started thinking about money, and all that it's brought me, and I couldn't wait to show my appreciation through this post. That's inspired action. 


Money is energy and it responds when you call it.  But watch what you call it.  Do you hang out with people who don't like you, or do you hang out with people who love and appreciate you? 


Remember the Golden Rule. Treat money the way you want to be treated.  Be kind to it, and it will be kind to you.

How Do You Avoid The Bite of The Energy Vampire?

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You

 
Yesterday we decided to go blackberry picking (I know! We're obsessed) with some family.  On the way to the forest we were telling one of our relatives about our Open House visit the day before.

We told her about the house: how it was bigger, had more bedrooms and a bigger backyard.  Her reaction surprised us both:

"What on earth do you need with a bigger house?  The one you have now is perfectly fine for the two of you! You've got more than enough space."

Perfectly fine. She's right.  The house we have now is perfectly fine for the two of us.  That doesn't mean we can't want more.

Then later on, she asked what we were going to make with all the blackberries we picked.  Jam, we told her.

"Jam! Why jam!  You'll need loads of berries for jam. And if it doesn't turn out okay, you'll have wasted this whole afternoon."

Sheesh!  Seriously? She had an opinion on us making jam?

I was starting to bubble under the surface.  This energy vampire was sapping my strength!  What do you do when you encounter someone who rains on your parade?  I've had co-workers and even friends who were like this.  Gradually they faded away.  But this was a relative.  Bit trickier.

I needed a break from this. So, I found a quiet spot in the forest to pick berries by myself for a few minutes.  I paid attention to my emotions (frustration, resentment, a touch of anger) and attempted a pivot. 

Okay, I thought, I don't like these feelings, so what do I like?  Well, I like feeling free to make my own choices.  I like feeling respected.  So I thought about what that would look like.  I thought about it until I felt better, and then I rejoined the group.

Phew!  Much better.  And then I even managed to appreciate the opinions of this relative.  They gave me the opportunity to practice my pivoting.  The more I practice, the easier and faster it gets.

That's how I dealt with my energy vampire yesterday.  What do you do?

p.s. made the jam.....it's awesome!
















 

How Experiencing The Contrast Helps You Visualize What You Prefer

By Anne Bellamy, Author of  Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You


This past weekend we decided to go to an Open House.  Are we moving? Nah, not yet.  Thinking about it?  Kinda just starting to.  We live in a small but cozy house, which is fine, because it's jus the two of us.  But when my boyfriend suggested checking out this house nearby, I said yes!

I was enthusiastic, not because I'm eager to move, but because I was eager to experience some contrast.
When you experience contrast, you get a better idea of what you want in life. 

Just hours before we went, my boyfriend said, "is there really any point? We can't afford this house anyway"
to which I replied:

"Hell yes, there's a point!  The point is for us to experience that which we prefer. This house is bigger than ours.  It has a bigger backyard and a garage.  It's finished (regular readers will recall that our house isn't)

When we experience that which we prefer, we then are able to focus on it.  Most people, after seeing something they prefer, tend to focus on the fact that they lack what they prefer.  This is a chance to imagine ourselves somewhere bigger.  This is a chance to focus on what we want. When we go see this house, don't focus on the fact that it may be nicer than ours.  But focus on what you like about it, and imagine yourself living there. Stay positive."

Honestly, I don't know how it worked for him.  I can't monitor his vibrations.  But I do know that I imagined myself in this house.  I know what I liked about it.  I know when I visualize I can see aspects of this house that I preferred.  I can see myself living there.   

We came home, and walked through the front door, and I thought to myself "Home sweet, home"  For while I can visualize myself in a different home, I fully intend to show the one I have my full appreciation. 

I appreciate that it protects me from the elements.  I appreciate that it keeps me warm.  I appreciate that it keeps all my stuff safe.  I appreciate that I feel home here. 

First World Problems????

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You
 
Yesterday a friend of mine sent me this video:

It made me start to think about my own "First World Problems" hmm....the lightbulb in my bathroom went out yesterday and I don't have a spare one....I'll have to go out and buy one, at the store around the corner!

Last night, while watching TV, we got a bit peckish.  Then, the horror!  We realized we didn't have any snack food in the house.  Again, we had to go out and buy some Doritos, at the store, around the corner!

And did I mention that there was nothing good on TV?!?!  Can you believe it?


My fridge is too full of food (on a serious note, this is something that I really have complained about.  Can you believe that?)

First World Problems are all pretty insignificant, aren't they?  The best way to learn that is to go to a Third World Country.  You'll realize pretty darn quickly how lucky you really are.  I learned this lesson myself when (a few years after graduating from University, something I took for granted at the time) I spent 6 weeks travelling in East Africa. 

It changed my life.  Not only because it's where I met my boyfriend, but because I had never seen people live with so little.  I felt ashamed of all the things I took for granted in my life.  The fact that I went to University was a given.  All my peers were doing it, so I would too.  Didn't dawn on my that I was damn lucky, to not only go to University, but that it was always an assumption that I would.

Africa is where I truly learned to count my blessings.  And yes, I do forget to do that from time to time, but I'm pretty good at it. There's so much in my life worthy of appreciation.  I won't bore you with what those things are, but if you're reading this, you probably have a lot to appreciate in your life too.

So, whaddya think?  What First World Problems do you have, which are, in fact, not problems, but blessings?

Listening to My Guidance System

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You

Last night while I was reading Money and The Law of Attraction, I came across this sentence:

"Many people ignore their Guidance System by tolerating negative emotion and, in doing so, deny themselves the benefit of Guidance from Broader Perspective."

It really spoke to me.  Do you know anyone like that?  I do.  At least I used to.  Most of the people in my life right now are positive, happy souls.  I drew them to me, so big thanks to me!  But, in the past, I have certainly met people who seemed downright determined to be miserable.  It occurred to me that those people do not realize how much self-sabotaging they are doing.  It also occurred to me to be grateful that I am on a different path; that I've learned the difference that a positive mental attitude makes.

So, after reading the above passage, I said "thanks" to the Universe.  As I've been a glass is half full person for many years, it was this attitude that led me to a bookstore (in search of a cookbook) which ultimately led me to the self-help section where I picked up an intriguing-looking book called "The Secret".  

Long story short, it led me to other important learnings, teachers and resources that put me on the deliberate path I'm on today. 

 

Why was I in the bookstore to begin with?  To get myself out of a grumpy mood and do some Christmas shopping. I was deliberately trying to get in the "Christmas mood" and cheer myself up.....and boy did I benefit from that one decision, which seemed so insignificant at the time.

That brings me back to the quote at the beginning of the post.  While not realizing it, I was listening to my Guidance System, which was telling me I was in a grumpy mood, which I refused to tolerate.  And I did receive the benefit of "Guidance from Broader Perspective".

Again, last night as I thought about this, I let the gratitude surround me and emanate from me.  Thank You Thank You Thank You!

In other news, I have continued my meditation practice.

The effect of taking 5 minutes to meditate every hour?  I find myself smiling uncontrollably (not trying to stop, actually)  even when the saddest song in the world comes on the radio (Adele, I'm talking to you)

I know there are bigger challenges in life than to remain happy when you hear a sad song, but that was just my experience yesterday.  Feeling grateful that I don't have those bigger challenges.

Visualizing and Seeing Clearly

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You

Yesterday something seriously cool happened to me (or rather by me)  Since the age of 13 I have worn glasses and/or contacts.  My eyesight got steadily worse until about the age of 27 at which point it's pretty much remained the same. 

Not once, since about the age of 18, have I ever left the house, or even gotten out of bed without first popping my glasses on my face.

As you know, I've been reading Money and The Law of Attraction to keep me focused on my goal.  It's not just about money, though.  There's a huge section on health, which is what I've been reading.  In a nutshell, you and only you can determine the state of your physical body, and if you want it to flourish and remain healthy, you have to take the time to think thoughts that reflect that. 

As part of my commitment to "take 5" every hour, I spent 5 minutes yesterday visualizing my perfect health. 

Later on in the afternoon, after the rain finally stopped and the sun came out, I decided to sit outside and bask in the corner of my backyard where the sun was still hitting.  I took my glasses off, and put on my sunglasses, closed my eyes and took 5 for that hour. 

Then, I picked up my book and continued to read it.  I read 4 whole pages before it suddenly dawned on me.  I was NOT wearing my glasses!  I was still wearing my non-subscription sunglasses!  AND I READ 4 PAGES!!!!  This blew me away!  I laughed and laughed and laughed.  "This is AMAZING" I thought, and then "I can't believe this" and BOOM just like that it was over.  Poor eyesight resumed.

"I can't believe this" 

I thought long and hard about what that statement really means.  We say it all the time when something remarkable happens, don't we?  I think we should stop.  It's like telling the Universe, "nope, I don't have faith in this, please take it away"

From now on, let's practice saying "I can believe this"  and "I made this happen" and "thanks Universe! This feels great!" (because it did, while I allowed it to last)

Expect Success

By Anne Bellamy, Author of Using The Law of Attraction To Help The Universe Help You

Day 44 and I feel exuberant.  I feel expectant.  I feel eager.  I feel excited.  It's a good day, as you can see!  Why do I feel this way?  Because I've taken the time to think thoughts that make me feel this way.  Because I've taken the time to meditate often, and clear up any negativity.

For a few days now I've been meditating several times throughout the day.  Sometimes it's 5 minutes, sometimes 15.  I try and take a meditation break once an hour.  Sometimes I just sit in peace, other times I use inspiration like Youtube where there are lots of meditation videos, sometimes I sit and visualize.  Sometimes I'm in public and just concentrate on counting my breaths.

It depends on where I am, and what my surroundings are.  I like taking this regular break.  It feels refreshing and just plain good for me. 

I've also continued to study my Abraham Hicks.  Such an inspiration for me, and a great reminder for keeping me focused on positive thoughts.  I'm gonna talk big today.

This is a GREAT idea.

That is FANTASTIC

I feel AWESOME

I've written my Appreciation List for the day and am smiling as I look at it and contemplate all the blessings I have created for myself.  I am a powerful creator and today I choose to create wealth, abundance and freedom. 

Try saying that yourself, or some variation of it.  Say it often, because it feels so good!  Remember, there is nothing more important than feeling good.  Your happiness depends on it.