"Prosperity is a state of being not a state of having. One does not attain prosperity, rather it is a choice. There are plenty of materially wealthy people in the midst of spiritual poverty.
The next time you start to focus on all the things others have that you can't afford, or can't otherwise acquire, remember that you can still choose prosperity by focusing on all the richness of your life as it is. The essential ingredients of a full and meaningful life are the things that can not be taken from you.
Today's Exercise:
Focus on all the prosperity in your life. Share your prosperity with others who need your encouragement. Know that the wealth you put out will come back to you ten fold. Make a list of all the essentials of life that can not be lost and show gratitude."
When I read this, I thought of how prosperity automatically makes me think in terms of the material. (usually the "I dont haves"). I forget to acknowledge that prosperity is a valid term for the immaterial--love in my life, good friends, the prosperity in being clean and sober. And a prosperous Spiritual life. I could lose this prosperity in a nano second if I pick up that first drink. I can also lose it momentarily with my "stinking thinking", if I let it get the upper hand. I guess we are as prosperous as we allow ourselves, think ourselves, to be. Today, I feel wealthy, because I am. Wren
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i found god in myself/and I loved her/i loved her fiercely--Ntozake Shange
I am a partner with 3 other people in a small manufacturing firm, and have a higher income today than any other time in my life. I would trade it in a heartbeat for a little cabin on a secluded beach.
Reminds me of some Dali Lama tapes from years ago. Speaking about the subject of Prosperity.
I know when I first looked at that title on the Tapes, it made me curious, the Dali Lama speaking to gaining wealth?, haha. I was pretty new in Recovery, but of course, he was not speaking of any material wealth.
These tapes are very Powerful, and recommend to all, if you should ever see them.
hey chris and toni........awsome points.....and yeah, i love the budhist idea of prosperity too...
to me??? i had to be "human-having" or a "human-doing" in order to feel good about me..........now??? how about just being a "human-BEING"......that is what i am striving for now....
sure..i live here on earth where money frees me from a lot of lack and limitation, but i dont' WORSHIP it, i am not going to hurt someone for it...i want only my needs and basic wants met...that is all........but to me??? i feel more prosperous by having my decent health....i have a decent roof over my head...i have a decent truck that i take good care of....my bills are paid......i have a small 18' round x4' deep pool in my back yard so i can swim in the summer........AND--- i have folks who really really really LOVE ME!!!!!!
When i read your Post, i could not help thinking "Hope she is including me and others here, cause we sure do, REALLY, REALLY , REALLY, Love you, too. SO HAPPY to see you back here, asked someone the other day, Where is Rosie????
Kind of lost on that one. I believe this might be a more permanent thing once I have worked through all the steps. Right now it is temporary and fleeting.
We had a meeting on the 11th step a couple of weeks ago, and this step does fascinate me talking about improving on the whole spiritual side of things. I was kind of let down at the meeting because I expected alot of the old timers to share about it and most of them didn't even say anything. Oh well.... There will be another one some day not too far away and I'm sure I will get more out of it. Have a great night everyone and thanks for the post Wren!
Justin, the way I see it? If I am sober, in this moment, just this moment--I am spiritually rich. I am capable of experiencing life in this moment. For that moment I feel like the richest woman in the world..hugs, Wren
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i found god in myself/and I loved her/i loved her fiercely--Ntozake Shange
