How Do You View Giving?

How I view my money and my finances has come full circle over the past few years.   To be clear, I've never been destitute, however, I've had my financial challenges.

Looking back as 2013 has come to a close, I realize that I had become afraid to give for fear of lack and not being able to provide for myself or my children.  Of course, I am now very clear as to how the Universe works.  The tighter we hold on to the cash, especially when we can feel the worry and anxiety of "not enough", the less the cash seems to come to us.

And - the Universe tends to deliver us the lessons we need to learn around things like money.  Not always in gentle ways, I might add, but definitely in ways that get our attention and get us to listen.

So, in this last year, I've gotten my finances sorted out and am on a budget that works, thanks to help from my husband.  However, I'm still facing some demons in my giving financial help to others.

I've included intentional giving in my budget and am able to stick to that.  But - when I meet someone who's asking for money, I am torn with guilt  - and that's guilt on both sides of the coin.

I'm happy to give a dollar or two but, quite frankly, it starts to add up and my budget gets out of whack.  Then, I feel guilty about not sticking to my budget.  But, when I choose to say "sorry, not today", I still feel guilty because, let's face it - I just walked out of Trader Joe's with $50 of food.   Who am I to not give someone a few bucks?

To be in integrity with myself, what is starting to feel right is to listen to when I feel called to give - to not give out of guilt but to give because I feel the love in the moment.  And, to give within my budget.

I don't have to be everyone's Sugar Mama.  I am okay to occasionally simply give a silent blessing of love and light.  I have still given something precious - it's just not in money form.

I have had my financial wake-up call and I have come out the other side of it in much better shape.  Maybe, when I DON'T give, it's because the Universe is moving the other person toward their wake-up call.  Sometimes, it takes a dark night of the soul to realize we need to re-connect to our Source, to Spirit.

In either case, I now live in a place of trust that I am always provided for, regardless of the form it takes.   And, I have faith that I am giving in perfect and right ways - either financially or with my time or in a silent prayer.  I will not love myself less for the choice I make nor will the Universe.

So, how do YOU view giving?

Today I set the intention to practice intentional giving, releasing any judgements against myself when I choose to say "no" and to be open when I am called to say "yes". 

"Never be bullied into silence.  Never allow yourself to be made a victim. 

 Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."  

~Harvey Fierstein

"At all times, I am aware of my immediate Oneness with God.  

There comes a warm sense of my oneness in essence

 and experience with all the good there is."  

~Ernest Holmes

Affirmative Prayer:
In the stillness of this moment, there is a Oneness, a Divine Intelligence, that is everywhere present and always available.  It is heard in a bird's song and in the gurgling of a running stream of beautiful blue water.  It is felt in the warmth of the sun and in the cold of the blanket of white snow that covers the fields and mountains.

Leaning into this moment, there is a knowing that I am one with this Divine Intelligence.  It lives within and has Its being in me.  It is God manifest in me and it is perfect just as I am perfect, whole and complete.

From this place of Oneness, I realize that I am abundance, I am prosperity and I am generosity itself.  I trust that as I circulate, it is returned to me multiplied.  I release any fears around lack, knowing that I am guided by a Divine Presence in all things, including giving.  I will always give in perfect and right ways when I stop and tune into my heart, into that space that knows Divine timing and Divine order.  And I release any judgments I have about myself and others, with the faith that there is a higher power for good that knows better than me when I am called to say "no".  I am the beloved and I step boldly forward into perfect, right action each and every day.

I am so grateful for this life of ever-growing prosperity and financial abundance that allows me to give in ways that are meaningful to me.  And I am thankful for a Universe that is supporting me and sustaining me and is filling me with a wisdom that goes beyond what I have experience before.

From this place of thanks, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  My life is filling up with blessings.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

The Universe Knows When I'm Ready To Recieve

My mind feels pretty close to mush.  I've been putting the final touches on my term paper and completing the final exam, all of which is due on Thursday.

It's amazing and draining at the same time.  I am learning so much about how the Universe works and yet, I feel like I still have so far to go.

And, since I tend to wait until the last minute, I'm scrambling and feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Oh yeah, and I have to work as well if I want to get paid.

So - I'm practicing what I'm learning and I'm using affirmative prayer almost daily.  What became clear was that I struggle with the 'letting go' part of my prayer.

Release is a powerful step, however, once my seed has been planted, I now have to contend with the question of “when”.  When will my dream manifest?  When will I see results?

For me, it goes back to trust and faith in the right timing of the manifestation.  Knowing that each treatment is complete unto itself, I also now know I am uncovering beliefs that I have held subconsciously.  As I become aware of these beliefs, I can continue treating until I reach the place where I am ready to receive.

Ernest Holmes says in How to Use the Science of Mind, “While it is necessary that expectancy and acceptance be woven into every treatment, it is also necessary to continue treatments until the desired result is obtained.  The practitioner must train himself to come to a complete conviction in every specific treatment, and then forget that treatment.”

Divine Intelligence knows when I’m ready to receive a miracle.  It is my work to learn patience. 

This path of Practitioner studies has been about training for myself.   I am learning to let go and let God.   I am continuing to walk a spiritual path where I am better equipped with tools to recognize that the Universe is always responding to my thoughts.  And, I am learning to tap into hearing Spirit, through intuition, every day – not just when I need a treatment.

According to Holmes, “Everyone should train himself to listen deeply to the Spirit which spontaneously flows through his own being.  This is adding the Spirit of Truth to the letter of the Law.  When the two become one, the most amazing power the world has ever witnessed flows freely into action through human affairs.”

So, my intention for today is to listen to and trust the still, small voice within, knowing that the Universe is always taking care of me.

"Whatever life takes away from you, let it go.  When you surrender

 and let go of the past, you allow yourself to be fully alive in the moment.

  Letting go of the past means you can enjoy the dream

 that is happening right now." 

 ~Don Miguel Ruiz

"Surrender is simply saying, 'I am available to what seeks to 

emerge through and as me'."  

~Michael Beckwith, Life Visioning

Affirmative Prayer:

Standing in the stillness and quiet of this moment, there is a feeling of One Power whispering softly that now is all there is.  There is a knowing of One Intelligence that sees and supports all that exists in this moment now.

This One Power and One Intelligence lives, moves and has Its Being in and through  me, every single day.  And I am available to listen as this Power and Intelligence guides me down the path in ways that allow my life to unfold perfectly.  Every day, I stand open to receiving the wisdom of the Universe.

Every action that I take is inspired by a grace that supports my highest and best unfolding as Sandy.  And every decision that I make is made from a place of love and harmony.  And as I take right action, I receive more good, more joy, more abundance than I can imagine.  The Universe steps up to direct my choices as I become quiet and simply listen.  There is no need for fear or worry, there is only trust and faith that all is working together for my good.  I am loved beyond measure and all is well.

And from this place of love, I am filled with gratitude that I am always at choice.  I am so thankful that I am guided by a loving Universe that always wants by highest and best.  And I am grateful for the unfolding of my life, becoming more of who I am meant to be, every day.

I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing that my good is here now, knowing that I am cherished in this very moment as I let it be so.  And so it is.

Jumping On The Healthy Living Bandwagon

I have been traveling for work quite a bit lately and it has meant eating out, night after night.  On top of that, exercise has been limited if not non-existent.  And, after eating my way around Lake Tahoe all weekend, I noticed today that my jeans are fitting just a little bit tighter.

Note to self: time to get back on the healthy living bandwagon again.

The challenge for me is I am a foodie.  I love all of the flavors in a good Italian pasta and the spiciness in a Mexican dish is to die for.  Then there is dessert - especially chocolate.  Pair anything with a good red wine and I can munch and nibble my way through the day.

Knowing that I need to change some habits, I've now been obsessing over diets and cleanses and workouts.  I've been scouring through Pinterest to get ideas.  I've spent hours on websites like Dr. Oz, Jorge Cruise and Bob Greene.

Quite honestly, for me, it's just not that easy to stick to some of the stringent meal plans that I'm finding.

On top of that, I am beating myself up about the choices I have made.  Why did we stop at Carl's Jr. and eat the Bacon Cheeseburger?  Did I really need the extra large bag of popcorn at the movies?  I'm so weak....

Fortunately, I've been catching my negative self-talk and have been able to stop those thoughts immediately.  In stopping the negative thoughts and breathing into the space I just created, the word "choices" popped out at me.

I am ALWAYS at choice.  Wow!

I have the ability to start fresh each day.  I have the ability to set myself up for success.   I have the ability to make better choices.

So, I'm giving myself permission to enjoy my food and to indulge sparingly.  I'm giving myself permission to choose protein over carbs.  I'm giving myself permission to love my curves.

I will never stop being a foodie.  Nor will I ever likely be as thin as a pin.   I CAN set the intention to stay aware of my food choices.  I CAN still enjoy eating and be mindful of my portion size.  I CAN ask that the Universe support me in my new healthier lifestyle.

And, what I KNOW - when I ask the Universe for support, it is ALWAYS given.

I am guided to cook healthier meals at home vs. eating out.  Images on TV or in magazines show up to inspire me to stick with my eating plan.  I attract activities and events that get me up and out and exercising more.

So, my intention for today is to take my food choices and my exercise more seriously, trusting that the Universe is supplying me with will-power and with inspiration to live well.

"Be not the slave of your own past.  Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep 

and swim far so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, 

with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old." 

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Go ahead: Live with abandon.  Be outrageous at any age.  

What are you saving your best self for?"  

~Oprah Winfrey

Affirmative Prayer:
In every decision, in every choice, in every breath, there is only One Divine Intelligence.  Whole, perfect and complete.   As steady as a heartbeat and as solid as a mountain. This Divine Intelligence that I call God is filled with a love that knows no bounds and is rooted in the beauty and the grace that is unending.

Standing in the freedom of this love, there is a realization that all that God is, flows in and through me.  I feel God in the beating of my heart and I know God in the wisdom of the words I speak.  My vision is filled with the wonder and awe of that which is made manifest through God as Sandy.

As I let Spirit fill me and move me, I am swept along a path that unfolds in ways for my perfect expansion.  Life is good and provides a bounty of abundance in all things.  And as I take part in this abundance, I am guided to make healthy choices in my eating.  I am inspired to exercise in ways that are perfect for my body type.  I eat and enjoy my food and do not feel compelled to over-indulge.  My will power is strong and the Universe says Yes! as I continue to honor my body temple with nutrients that allow it to flourish and thrive.  It is so easy to make good choices in my life.  And it feels wonderful to savor and enjoy life in ways that allow me to shine and prosper.  Life is good!

Claiming perfect health as mine, I give thanks for the truth of the Universe that provides me the opportunity to express and expand in perfect Divine order.  And I am thankful as I leap with faith into the unknown, coming out the other side in grace and in peace with who I am.

Leaning into a future that is bright with possibility, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is done and made manifest.  My good is here now.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.