Sure,
we’re polite. We always say "please" and "thank you"…
to strangers at least. But for some reason, it seems that we often
forget to say "thank you" and show our appreciation to
the people who are closest to us; to our family, our co-workers,
our employees, our teachers. We especially forget to say "thank
you" to the universe for our many blessings.
Saying thank
you and showing appreciation can be done in many ways. But the most
important thing is simply recognizing how fortunate we all are.
The fact is, in this country, even our slums are better than the
best of what many other countries in the world have to offer.
Our lack-based
protective mind continuously looks for more (like a squirrel hording
nuts for winter) and has a tendency to overlook and discount what
we already do have. Consequently, unless we consistently remind
ourselves to look for "what’s right" in our lives, we
often only see "what’s wrong."
It takes courage
to "want what we’ve got" and be grateful for what we already
have. The ego will tell us that if we spend too much time appreciating
what we have, we won’t attempt to get "more" and disaster
will eventually befall us. This is how the ego keeps us on the high-speed
treadmill of "more". The fact is, however, that there
is never an end to the chase. (We think it will end, but notice
from your own experience that it never does!)
The key to remember
is that wanting what you currently have has nothing to do with not
getting any more. Just because you truly enjoy and appreciate tonight’s
meal does not mean you won’t want to eat tomorrow. To the contrary,
appreciating it fully motivates you to take even more action in
the hopes of enjoying this wonderful situation again.
The universe
has a rule that states, "If you don’t appreciate what you’ve
got, then you won’t get anymore." In short, if you don’t appreciate
one, you don’t need two. Again, it’s the old "use it (as in
appreciate it fully) or lose it" deal. The power of appreciation
particularly holds true when it comes to our finances. If you want
more abundance, be grateful for and properly manage all the wealth
you have now. Remember, what you focus on expands.
A disaster,
like September 11th, need not strike to make us appreciate all the
abundance and blessings in our lives. Fully appreciating all the
people, all the money, all the work, all the great many things you
currently have in your life and expressing your appreciation and
gratitude to others is one of the keys to living a fulfilled and
truly ‘rich’ life.
It’s time to
focus not on what we lack, but to fully appreciate what we already
have. To give gratitude for our health, our family, our friends,
and our current wealth, however large or small, right now. It’s
time to count our blessings instead of discounting them.
EXERCISE:
Who
and what have you not fully appreciated?
Today, list
all the people and things in your life for which you are grateful.
In some special way, say "thank you," and show your
appreciation to the people who mean the most to you, as well as
to the Universe for all that you have.
Declaration:
I am totally
grateful for who and what I have in my life right now.
For your freedom,
T. Harv Eker
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