Abundance

I just finished reading "A New Earth" by Echart Tolle. You may have heard of it from Oprah. My sister recommended it to me and I really loved it. There were so many moments where I thought, "Wow, that is so true", or "That totally makes sense". He definitely put new ideas into my mind as well. I haven't had a chance to watch the Oprah podcasts along with it, but if you have time and are interested, that is highly recommended from my sister.

Here is an excerpt that really hit me. Perhaps it can give you a little extra inspiration this week:

"Who you think you are is also intimately connected with how you see yourself treated by others. Many people complain that others do not treat them well enough. 'I don't get any respect, attention, recognition, acknowledgement," they say. 'I'm being taken for granted.' When people are kind, they suspect hidden motives. 'Others want to manipulate me, take advantage of me. Nobody loves me.'

Who they think they are is this: 'I am a needy little me' whose needs are not being met.' This basic misperception of who they are creates dysfunction in all their relationships. They believe they have nothing to give and that the world or other people are withholding from them what they need. Their entire reality is based on an illusory sense of who they are. It sabotages situations, mars all relationships. If the thought of lack-whether it be money,recognition, or love-has become part of who you think you are, you will always experience lack. Rather than acknowledge the good that is already in your life, all you see is lack. Acknowledging the good that is already in your life is the foundation for all abundance. The fact is: Whatever you think the world is withholding from you, you are withholding from the world. (emphasis added) You are withholding it because deep down you think you are small and that you have nothing to give.

Try this for a couple of weeks and see how it changes your reality: Whatever you think people are withholding from you-praise, appreciation, loving care, and so on-give it to them. You don't have it? Just act as if you had it, and it will come. Then, soon after you start giving, you will start receiving. You cannot receive what you don't give. Outflow determines inflow. Whatever you think the world is withholding from you, you already have, but unless you allow it to flow out, you won't even know that you have it. This includes abundance. The law that outflow determines inflow is expressed by Jesus in this powerful image: "Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap."