Last quarter of 2011 will have no quarter for those that don't invest into themselves. I spoke to many people today regarding a project and resources that will lead to financial freedom. It boggled my mind, at first, to hear the excuses, as just the other day these same people were complaining about their finances, relationships and health.
Then...it hit me. I was one of those people. I must have compassion and see all the positive and wonderful things that can come out of the resources they have. They can live an extraordinary life! After all, if my mentors didn't do that for me, I wouldn't have a paradigm shift and a new found energy for working towards my dream. Who was I to write off anybody? I should help them. However, we can not help people who truly don't want help.
These are the same people that not willing to truly stretch beyond their comfort zone, so they can expand their eventual realm of comfort with abundance. Tomorrow after a night of "facebooking" (yes, that is now a verb), they will go to work or work on something that deep inside they know is dead-end.
Now, if it's a passion they have, like working at a youth center, that's awesome. I'm talking about things people do just to make money (only to get taxed more should they decide to get a second job). The people I'm referring to had no passion in their voice. I know they are above that and deserve better. I truly see greatness in them.
We are all worthy to get the things we want. Why play it so miserably safe when we only got one life? Let's not beat ourselves up over all the wrong choices, regrets and mistakes that we made. What we have is not years of failure, but years of experience. A really good friend and mentor recently said that. I'm really glad he did.
Lately, I feel that I'm in for the fight of my life. As challenges and tests from the universe arise, I focus on my reasons and my mission. The pain of adverse experiences don't go away; however, with my purpose in mind, it keeps me grounded while I go through them.
One of my major obstacles recently is feeling misunderstood. While everyday, I am working hard towards my goal, it's as though I'm the only one who sees it. This may not necessarily be true at all. It's like the jedi master Obi-Wan telling Anakin, "Be mindful of your thoughts. They do betray you". I feel the universe is testing my emotional intelligence for later abundance and prosperity.
While it is true we attract what we think about, we mustn't always see bad events and circumstances as a negative thing we attracted. This is especially true if we are aligned with positive thoughts and actions toward our desires. What we have attracted in this case is a series of events and circumstances, some good and some bad, that lead to what we really want. I call the bad ones "tests", as I mentioned earlier.
Knowing this, I still find myself slipping occasionally into my old ways of negative thinking. This happens especially when I've tried and tried and tried again and again to get a project off the ground, and there are no results at all. My good friend Hector once said, "If this is happening, then ask, 'What am I doing wrong?'". As simple of a concept it is, I had never thought of that!
Life can be very distracting. With family, circumstances and drama, we can be very well consumed by it, like I was. Thanks to another friend, Joe, he reminded me to "tune out the static". It's going to be there regardless but don't ignore the negative. We must handle it, but don't dwell or focus on it.
Sometimes, our true friends tell us things that we don't feel comfortable with. In the end, if the intention is good and it's parallel towards real progression, we should accept it and even embrace it. This is another test of our humility for later abundance and prosperity. I got pushed in the pool. It's now time to sink or swim!
The reason for the title of this blog is based on the date 7/11, eluding to the 24-hour convenient store 7-Eleven and a certain mindset we should all develop. This is a reminder that those that are fixed in their ways are no longer growing, and will continue to reap the limited crop that they sow, if they are so lucky to reap any at all.
This is crucially different from standing firm on good values and high ethical standards. Those are constant for those that achieve greatness or on their way to achieve greatness.
As we are a little over halfway towards the year, let's ask ourselves if we have truly progressed. Is it the "same ol', same ol'", or have we reached past the constant busy-body socializing in an attempt to drown out real issues in our lives?
As the economy in this country is still looking to pick itself up, we need to better educate ourselves in money matters to secure our financial sanity. I am reading and researching to be in the constant "know" of what is really going on, so I don't leave my life to chance, as the majority do.
Let's be always open and do our due diligence, to ensure a prosperous future and an accumulation of abundance we can pass on to our children with pride. Don't be a among the sad casualties that lead a mediocre life and pass on debt to their children, like so many that cross their fingers, hoping to win the weekly lottery as an actual financial strategy.
As I hear the fireworks from my room, I reflect for the first time on what this day truly means. Yes, of course, I've been aware that the 4th marks independence of this country. I'm thankful for those that stood up for what they believed. While this nation is not perfect, as I have experienced, it still represents the indomitable spirit against all odds. In many ways, I see that time period as a sort of David and Goliath story, as the underdog prevailed to free his people from oppression.
What I'm talking about is personal freedom beyond that of living in "the land of the free and the home of the brave". There are many that will go to work tomorrow and return to an existence they are not happy with. The saddest thing is that nothing will be done about it and they will fade from this Earth, not knowing true freedom. What life is it to live day after day, year after year and not progress? I cringe sometimes when I ask, "How's everything?" and the person replies, "Oh, same old" or something like that.
I'm so happy and grateful that I am at least aware of what needs to change in order to progress. This is the beginning of true freedom and true happiness. In the Declaration of Independence there is a phrase "the pursuit of happiness". Anyone who has achieved a certain level of concrete success understands this: the actual pursuit IS happiness. To progress in life's journey is to move forward and help as many people as possible along the way. This is what it means to enjoy our lives and experience life's lessons, so that we can leave the world better than we found it.
Now some people are NOT interested in this quest for freedom, thus true happiness. That's fine by me. However, there is a grave statistic that records over 90% of those lying on their deathbed regret not taking the risks necessary to make life truly meaningful for them. This is not to say that they don't cherish their loved ones and the good they may have done. It's just too obvious from this survey that what is "normal" doesn't pay true dividends to the soul in the end.
There are no accidents on the road of life. Everything in our journey is meant to be. This philosophy has kept me sane especially these past couple of weeks, as I have met challenge after challenge. The universe tests us, much like if we want to get in shape, we must endure the pain of exercise, among other things. Tests mold us to become the person to attract what it is that we want.
So now, the million dollar question: what do we really want? If we don't what we want, how do we expect to ever get it? Many of us have vague ideas of what we want, but never solidify it in our minds and take methodical action towards its attainment. Why? Perhaps it's not feeling worthy enough, the fear of failure or maybe the fear that when we do get it, we will feel unfulfilled.
As for me, I was always baffled at the reason why I would be on my way to achieving success on a particular project, but manage to lose the momentum, revenue, resources and relationships necessary to continue. I would build marketing teams and establish clientele bases, only to have it almost completely dissolve just as quickly. This would repeat itself for years. It was so frustrating. I was so close to giving up so many times. Now, I'm glad I didn't. I see why I went through all those experiences.
It was to lead me to this moment in my life. In my last blog, I spoke about a book, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. I'm very certain that if I came across this book any sooner than I did, I probably would have passed it on the shelf. It was all my trails and tribulations that helped me to understand the contents in this read. I was searching for answers, and could identify with the situations and thought processes addressed.
All in all, for the first time, I began to open my eyes to everything I have ever done: my choice of relationships, my money decisions, my emotions, etc. I began to take inventory and noticed a common theme: opposites in conflict and I was caught in the middle.
On a conscious level, I've always wanted to make massive amounts of money, and to be in a healthy relationship. I've always wanted to travel the world and to take care of my mom. What I realize now is that on a subconscious level, it might quite well be the contrary. I'm now aware that my mind was programmed with mixed feelings about happiness, success, abundance, money and relationships.
The proof was too obvious. Although I wanted my business to thrive, I made bad decisions with my money and with my interactions with people. As a result, I would consistently lose both. I've always wanted to be in a wonderful relationship, but made choices that were the opposite. Who would want a money draining, drama queen that monopolizes all your time? I did...unconsciously.
You see, growing up, my parents had a tense relationship. They would tell me that even though they constantly argued about money, that we were at least good people. Pardon me, but what the fuck is that suppose to mean? What correlation is there between having money and being a good or bad person? While sure, one could point out numerous examples of those who are wealthy because they are good people, but that's not what I'm getting at.
That particular statement means that people that struggle with money are good people, while people with money are the evil ones that make the good struggle (e.g. bosses, owners of credit card companies, etc.). I realize now that my parents were programmed to live in lack of relationships, money, abundance and happiness. Also, it comes to no surprise that my parents eventually bitterly separated and haven't spoken to each other for a decade. They weren't intentionally trying to feed me that type of subconscious programming. They didn't even know what they were saying!
Now, I love my parents. I know they didn't mean any harm. It just gives me great relief to know that I am now aware of the reason I am where I am. Provided, yes, I am appreciative of all the good that is currently in my life. However, heaven forbid I go through another ten years of doing what I was doing, only to get what I'm getting, which is nowhere near where I want to be! I can actually FIX the crazy cycle that kept me wanting to throw in the towel, time and time again!
This book was recommended to me at the right place, the right time and from the right person. That's why I believe there are no accidents on the road of life. I am commited to change my subconscious programming and demand of myself to make my life an adventure in achievement. Obviously, this won't happen overnight. I understand this will take time. However, I feel that in the end, even if it takes me years, I know that the effort will result in a shortcut toward where I want to go and who I want to become.
Lately, I've been inspired by so many different energies: change, appreciation, attraction, hope, disgust, tolerance, frustration and anger. I'm so fortunate that I've made conscious efforts to pull myself in a positive direction. No matter if my feelings are negative or positive, I am proud that I strive towards bettering myself and those around me.
In fact, I have been reading a phenomenal book called Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. Now, I have read many books and attended many trainings pertaining to money matters and personal development. While all those were great and I don't regret engaging in all those activities, I feel that this book really speaks to me. I'm now beginning to understand what builds my self-image, my decisions, my feelings and my results. There's always a reason behind everything we feel and everything we work for.
In the next upcoming weeks, I will continue to read this book and apply its principles. I am willing to challenge any limiting beliefs I've ever had my entire life. Sincerely, I have been enlightened by this book and suggest for everyone to get it. I strongly urge it especially for those who work hard, like myself, but many times feel that the wheels of our life's progress are spinning in place.
