I love a good analogy!
The current economic challenges remind me of the California Gold Rush 1848 - 1855. All miners could see were mountains and streams but they knew there was gold in them thar hills!
Personal Visions of discovering gold pulled many from the comfort they knew, through danger and hardship we scarcely imagine in this day and age. A shred of hope drove them across the continent to mine mountains and pan streams in search of golden nuggets they imagined would fulfill their heartfelt dreams.
Some succeeded, many failed.
These times are increasingly difficult right now; our national and global dynamics are changing more rapidly than we have yet to realize the impact. More rapidly than has been the norm for us in the past few years.
The “good” hidden in this “bad”: Economic challenges are our modern day mountains and there is gold in them thar hills!
Ask yourself: “What effect am I feeling?”
“What impact do I notice to the lives of those around me?”
Your answers to these questions provide clues!!!
“How can I make the best of my current situation and what comes?”
“How can anyone more than just survive the next few years? How can I thrive as a result of difficult and challenging times?”
"How can I help others thrive in and through these difficult and challenging times?"
As usual the solution is simple but not always easy! Keep your eyes open for opportunities - opportunity surfaces right along with every bad thing that shows up... people who recognize and act quickly on opportunity are the leaders and profiteers of tomorrow.
Like with the gold rush of 1848 – 1855… the “easy money” was gleaned in the first two years. After 1850, most miners had to get creative and resourceful to access the rewards hidden in mountains and streams. The same will be true with these economic mountains!
Opportunity is one possibility of a challenge, difficulty, discomfort or problem!
Problem solvers earn and deserve the rewards they reap; particularly the pioneer problem solvers. Unfortunately we live in a world that forgets or has not yet learned that fact so falls into jealousy, envy & coveting - in reality there are enough problems for each of us to solve something and more than enough money to reward our efforts.
Times are getting hard enough that invention and solutions will spontaneously and abundantly come forth... This deserves our reflection and celebration!
Celebrate the good: opportunities
- What can I do?
- What can I do?
- What is important to me about what I do?
Reflect on: what is fair exchange?
It is only wrong and bad to be a Profiteer if or when you earn or spend your profits immorally, unethically or illegally. Win/win is a fair exchange.
People with "good hearts", who walk Jesus' advice: "Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind and body and love your neighbor as yourself." (not more or less than -> equally) earn and deserve large profits. These are the people who use their money to live a comfortable life and invest much of their hard earned gain to provide others with opportunity to improve their life circumstance as well.
They “example”: loving their neighbor as themselves… Could they be an example without money and resources?
Sure, Jesus obviously made a huge impact and set a great example. And, Mother Theresa! Much of what Mother Theresa accomplished, however, was to move and inspire those with money and resources to help those who suffer or are less fortunate.
Yet, we are taught that,”Money is the root of all evil.” And, “it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to get through the eye of a needle.”
A computer or television, fire or water can be used for good or for evil, constructively or destructively – the difference lies in the heart of the one in control! The same is true of money and resources.
But who really knows what's in the heart of another?
Jesus' teaching, "By their fruits they shall be known." comes to mind.
And does God work only through the lives, profits and deeds of good hearted people? Consider the story of Old Testament Joseph, the one with the coat of many colors. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery, intending him to die. Instead, Joseph prospered, gaining both influence and power over all of Egypt. When his brothers showed up many years later, begging for food and charity, to their embarrassment Joseph explained his perspective on their cruel actions, “you meant it for evil but God meant it for GOOD.”
The events of Joseph’s life molded his character and positioned him to accomplish great things for many people. Wealth, abundance and power were a significant part of his position.
And who is responsible and accountable for what is in the hearts and deeds of others?
I suggest it is enough that I am responsible and accountable for my own. After all, for karma and judgment day, I most often stand alone.*
Who was it that said, it is not what we do in the good times that reveals or defines our character but what we do in the difficult times? I suggest that actually, it is both.
Or, it is easy to do good when times are comfortable; it is far more difficult to do good when times are tough.
forewarned is forearmed
If you choose to join the wise one’s through these turbulent times, you will avoid time wasted in lamenting what is or seeking to lay blame. Only from a space of peace and wisdom can you turn lemons into lemonade!
Spend time daily thanking God for showing both the opportunity and the path to solution in your own backyard – or sphere of control – then, you will certainly see it!
An Attitude of Gratitude is a most powerful magnet - actually, so is an attitude of ingratitude. Choose gratitude!
What do you choose to attract?
Love, light & blessings,
janet lee
www.thesecretsolution.net
www.mastermindcleanse.com
www.apcd-institute.org
* I do believe collective karma and judgment exists also.
© jan gentleman-ingersoll Eastern Shepherd, Inc. 2008
