Surely you’ve heard the saying, “money is the root of all evil”, perhaps you’ve even learned that this principle comes from the Bible. Not only has this mistaken notion caused many would-be millionaires to sabotage their futures with self limiting beliefs, but it is totally contradictory to the REAL truth – the fact that we are called upon to end the corruption that has taken control of the 7 mountains of the earth.

Have you been weighed down by subconscious feelings that it is wrong to have tremendous abundance and prosperity? Do you buy into the philosophy that those who live in poverty are more spiritual, more blessed, and more loved by God than the wealthy? Is money the root of all evil?

The truth of the matter is that the real culprits are lack of money, poverty mindset, and the complacency most of us feel with “having enough” .  Let me illustrate this point:

Joe and his wife Sue have always managed to get by. They and their 2 kids live in a house in the suburbs, have 2 cars, decent jobs, and get to take a vacation every year. The American Dream, right? Their lives are comfortable and they have always been satisfied, even though they have no significant savings. Basically they are able to take care of themselves and are happy.

What’s so wrong with that?

Consider This Scenerio:

Joe loses his job. Since there are no significant savings, finances become a major source of worry. Not only is he frustrated because the bills are beginning to pile up, but he is distraught by the overwhelming feelings of inadequacy that he has as the result of being unable to take care of his family. The financial and emotional pressures build up, and Joe and Sue begin to fight – Joe may begin to drink.

Their once stable home has become a place where the tension is so thick that they can almost see it. The kids feel the tension and, as children do, feel that they are somehow to blame for the fact that Mom and Dad are fighting. This leads to problems with the kids. We all know the story, and how it usually ends.

Oh…And By The Way:

Are we called to only take care of ourselves, or are we called to feed the poor and shelter the homeless? In other words, rather than being righteous in accepting the status-quo, are we being selfish?

And Even More Importantly:

If we want to contribute to the world we need to take our rightful places and collectively put an end to the corruption that has parked itself between the 7 mountains of the earth and the Kingdom of God. Please take 20 minutes out of your day to watch this powerful lesson to learn why money is of utmost importance.

So, think again…is money the root of all evil, or is it the lack of money that is the root of all evil?

This excerpt has been taken from a sermon presented by Pastor James Wood. To view the full video along with other life changing videos please visit GreaterWorxMinistry.com

With the holidays upon us, many are opening their hearts and their wallets, asking themselves, “what charity should I donate to?” I’m a huge advocate of giving money to charity, but I can tell you that I have been taken advantage of…..big time!

If you’d like to know how you can donate to charity without being ripped off, you’ll appreciate a few facts that I was never aware of, until now. If you feel compelled to give, and are looking for some ideas about where to best put your money, I’d also like to share with you some info about one of the charities I support – and why.

First, some Shocking Facts:

Up to 95% of Your Donations May Go to For-Profit Fundraising Companies

Imagine receiving a call from a sweet, polite lady or gentlemen who tells you about the tremendous need for donations to an organization that (for example) provides free health care to children with cancer. Can you say no? Well maybe….but some of us just don’t have the heart to say no to sick babies. I know, because I am one of them 

Well, the last time I received such a call, armed with this information, I asked what percentage of donations actually goes to the cause, and was told 5%. Yes, I’ll break that down for you….from a $100 donation, the charity itself will receive a measly $5. Oh and yes, this is legal!

Your Name May be Sold or Traded

Have you ever given to a charity, only to find yourself barraged with solicitations from other charities? It seems like all of a sudden, everybody’s “got your number”? I can tell you, there are weeks when I can receive 5 solicitations, all from different organizations that pull on my heart strings.

I always wondered how all these people had my information, until recently learning that when you donate to charity, your name may be sold or traded to other charities.

DNC List Does Not Pertain to Non-Profits

Fundraising organizations can legally call you, even if your name is on the Federal Do Not Call list – as long as they are raising money for a non-profit organization.

What Charity Should I Donate To?

Wow! So, am I telling you not to donate to charity? No, no, no – I repeat – NO! In fact I believe that one of the foundations of receiving is in giving. We are on this earth to help others, and in giving with happy hearts, we open the doors to blessings in our own lives.

My suggestion is that when considering which charities to donate to, use these practices:

• Learn what percentage goes to the cause. This information is readily accessible on the Better Business Bureau website http://www.bbb.org/us/charity.
• If you are solicited over the phone and feel that a cause is worthwhile, ask what percentage goes to the cause. By law, this information must be provided to you if you ask. If you are not satisfied with the answer, ask to be taken off their call list.
• Seek out charities that speak to your heart, use the money they collect for the most good, and are highly rated.
• If possible, set up an automatic monthly contribution for one or more causes or organizations that you truly want to support, and know that you’re doing your part to make the world a better place.

Still wondering, what charity should I donate to? There are many incredible charities to donate to, and I have a few favorites, but want to share one in particular with you. Feeding America addresses the growing epidemic of hunger in America. Why not start in your own backyard, where you can touch the lives of your neighbors? A few statistics on Feeding America:

• 96% of money donated is used towards programs
• Due to matching grants, every $1 donated provides 16 meals or more for hungry families
• 5.7 million hungry Americans are fed through the Feeding America network each week
• Feeding America meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability in accordance with the Better Business Bureau, and is a BBB seal holder

I could go on and on about the need, and about how this organization manages to do so much with so little. In the interest of keeping this post as short as possible I instead invite you to learn more about this worthy cause at http://www.feedingamerica.org

Feed your neighbors this holiday season (and throughout the coming year)….and feed your soul. Be Blessed!

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind of day where you just can’t figure out how to overcome fear, doubt, and insecurity? Maybe it’s because of something that happened, or something that didn’t happen, or maybe it just blindsided you for no apparent reason at all. Whatever the culprit, you can’t help but ask yourself, “why do I even bother?”, and quitting seems like a great and very possible solution….

If you answered no to this question, you’re either very lucky or you’re lying to yourself. The truth is that most of us struggle at one point or another with feelings that we’re not good enough, we’re not worthy, or we’re not capable (does that make you feel less alone in your struggles?). These feelings are enough to stop some people dead in their tracks. But we’re different, right?

As students of personal development we know that we need to live in gratitude, make vision and belief the cornerstone of our lives, and always, always, always mind our minds.

Despite this knowledge, sometimes you just hit a brick wall that seems impossible to hurdle, which is especially difficult for those of us who understand what it is to be enlightened. In fact, some of us (myself included…) have even made the situation worse by feeling guilty for feeling bad.

The reason I bring this all up is, just last week I had one of those days.

Oddly enough (although I believe there are no coincidences in life….), that dark cloud of negativity was precipitated by an unusual event. Just 2 days earlier, one of the most self confident, successful, capable people I know broke down and shared feelings of self doubt. I was totally blown away that this person, who “so” has it all together, could even have these kinds of feelings, or struggle with the same issue that I sometimes think is only for the weak at heart: how to overcome fear, doubt, and insecurity. Yet their pain was a gift to me. It gave me clarity and strength.  I saw first-hand that this is a human condition, one that strikes even the best of us.

Just 2 days later, out of the clear blue, that self loathing, scared, overwhelming voice of defeat started singing its ugly tune inside my head. Hopelessness and helplessness started to take over and I felt unable to fight it. But thankfully, rather than sticking around for days – as it sometimes does – this came and went in a matter of hours. Maybe it’s because of the personal development work I’ve been doing, maybe my spiritual growth, maybe the fact that I actually know what I’m doing, maybe Divine Grace. Probably a combo deal.  Whatever the reason, I want to share two very significant changes in mindset that brought me back into the light.

The Enemy Is Cunning

My spiritual journey has taken me down a new path, one which brings the Word of God into a whole new light and meaning, making it much more real in my everyday life. One of the realities is that just as there is a God, there is an enemy. He is cunning, wishes to break and destroy us, and is willing to do whatever it takes to see us suffer and keep us in bondage.

As the darkness and despair began to fight for control in my mind, I recognized for the first time that these thoughts and feelings were not mine….they were not me. They were coming from the enemy, they were fighting to destroy my will, and I had the choice to allow that to happen – or to stand up and defend myself.

This evil enemy wants to keep me in bondage. He knows that I’m on a steady path towards freedom, and that I plan to take many along with me. He also knows that the easiest way to prevent this good from flowing into my life is to plant the seeds within my mind that will lead to self sabotage. After all, it ALL begins in the mind. Yes, very cunning indeed….use my own mind to create my own downfall!

I guess it’s just a part of my personality that I’m usually willing to fight for what I want. When I saw this as a fight against an evil enemy rather than a weakness that I couldn’t control I had one of those “ah-ha” moments and something clicked in my mind. I wasn’t going to lose this fight.

I am stronger than the enemy.

I WIN

Many of us, me included, have been taught that there is a great reward waiting for us beyond this lifetime. It’s been held out in front of me ever since I can remember, an elusive promise of something better in exchange for living a good life.

What I’m beginning to wake up to is the fact that this promised land is available to each and every one of us here on earth…..today. There’s a Divine plan for my life and if I play it out with faith and knowing, I will always win.

Within my own being I have everything I need

Rather than trying to explain it, I invite you to watch as Pastor James Wood delivers a message that practically brought me to tears. Yes, it’s long but I can guarantee you it will touch your soul and may even impact your life in a major way.

Not only is Pastor Wood my spiritual leader, but he’s also my business partner, friend, and mentor (for which I am tremendously grateful). If you’d like to experience more of his messages you can visit his youtube channel or Facebook page at His Greater Worx

Why am I sharing this story of my weakness with you? It was in hearing a friend do the same that helped me to realize that I am not alone in this, and that all I have to do is look to the Truth to set me free.  I’ve picked up some emotional and spiritual tools that have taught me how to overcome fear, doubt, and insecurity when they try to invade my soul. Maybe a day will come when you’ll be overcome by the pain of hopelessness and you’ll remember back to this post. Maybe one thing that helped me will help you.

Be Blessed!

I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “laughter is the best medicine”…..with that thought in mind just picture this…

You’ve been working for days on an important video series to promote your business, and you’re down to the very last video. OK, you’re a work from home kinda guy or gal and revel in the fact that no, you don’t have to get all gussied up to “go to work”.

But today is different, because that one last video is taunting you. So you ditch the glasses for your contacts, put that purple shirt back on, and break out the makeup (guys, this may or may not apply to you….just sayin’).

You’ve been doing your video series with the pool and waterfall in the background, and have mastered the skill of getting your chair as far away from the flip camera as possible – to reduce the risk of your wrinkles shocking the world…..(how old IS she, anyways???).

Camera rolling, you take your place at the seat of honor and for some reason have a momentary lapse of good judgement, choosing to reposition the chair. In the midst of this you have the sudden irrevokable awareness that one leg of the chair has NOT landed on solid ground – and backwards you go….drenching your purple shirt, smearing your mascara, and ruining what had started out to be a good hair day…….yikes!

Do you carry the chair out of the pool and throw it at the video camera, in turn tearing a gigantic hole in the screen just behind the camera…..or do you thank your lucky stars that your brand new smartphone was not in your pocket, cut a short but hilarious video, and put it out there for the world to see and enjoy, opening yourself up to whatever this public display of humility may bring?

When all else fails, just remember that laughter is the best medicine. Share not only your triumphs but your silly unproductive escapades with others, and put a smile on somebody’s face today.

I’m opening myself up here to your comments, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And enjoy the video!!!!!!!!

Could you use emotional clearing? I recently had an incredibly EmMatrix session with a remarkable Law of Attraction coach named Sandhan, and it was life changing! Check out the video below to learn how you may be holding yourself back from true success and happiness, and how you can free yourself in less than 2 hours – really!

So, I’ll ask once more, could you use emotional clearing in your life? Well, if you can answer “yes” to any of these questions the answer is most likely a resounding “absolutely!”

• Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough?
• Do you ever feel like there’s something holding you back from having the life you want?
• Do you ever feel like you have no control over what happens to you?
• Do you have regrets about things you have done (or have not done)?
• Do you think you’re not smart enough?

My advice to you is to learn more about Sandhan and the EmMatrix process she uses to help people just like you and me. She has a great blog post describing this invaluable technique at http://sandhaninc.com/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-negative-emotion/

When you book your session be sure to tell Sandhan I sent you. And I would love to hear about your experiences!

Also, be sure to check out my post entitled How To Overcome Fear Doubt and Insecurity for some helpful tips on this subject.

Do you know how to attract abundance, health, wealth, happiness, or material possessions? I have a true, short story that will help you to take action to create the life you want. If you’re using the law of attraction and combining it with action, attracting abundance could be easier than you think!

• Have clear intentions for exactly what you desire
• Make your desire real, through visualization, affirmations, or putting yourself as close to what you want as you possibly can
• Experience the feelings and sensations of the desired goal
• Remain open to opportunity
• When the opportunity arises, take inspired action
• Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone…that is where all the “good stuff” is hiding

Hope you enjoy the video…is my son a doll, or what?

Do you know how to write goals that will “stick”? Did you know that when you have clearly defined, planned goals success is almost inevitable? Disclaimer here – Action IS Required

I must admit, I used the same strategy discussed in the video above several years back, and did NOT have the much anticipated results I was searching for. Hindsight is always 20/20, and of course today I realize it was my own fault. At the time I really didn’t know what to do to make my dreams a reality, so I missed the second most important part of the equation – taking effective ACTION!

Here I am once again, with many of the same goals but a much better mindset, a definitive plan of action, and more knowledge than I had ever even imagined being able to fit between my ears.

If you don’t really know how to write goals, success will probably be nothing more than an elusive dream. No, there’s nothing at all wrong with dreams, but personally I prefer the ones that we transform into reality!

When taking on this important task there are some fundamentals that will help you to claim a better, brighter future. Let me share a few of them with you:

How To Write Personal Goals

Imagine your ideal life. How is your health? Your fitness level? How do your relationships look with family and friends? What’s your family life look like? Where do you live, and what does your home look like? How do you spend your free time…..and just how much of your time is “free time” (hint, if time freedom is one of your goals, this should be plentiful)? What kind of car do you drive? Have you used the financial and time freedom you’ve created to help others? How have you chosen to do this?

Obviously this list could go on and on. The bigger the better. Think of every aspect of your life and write away. As you create the story of your life, be sure to reflect on and record the feelings that come along with your success. Revel in your greatness and put all of those feelings onto paper.

How To Write Professional Goals

Again, when you learn how to write goals effectively, your plan will be incredibly detailed. What business are you in? Do you have business partners, and if so, who and how many? Do you work from home or go to an office? How much money do you make each month (be sure to shoot for the stars here….)? What does your typical work day look like – an hour, 8 hours, do you outsource work, have employees, or manage your business totally independently? What (besides the large amount of money you make) do you love about your work?

Again, this can be very long, and should be as detailed as possible.

How to Write Measurable Goals

Many of us have not been taught how to write measurable goals….yet this is key! Consider this question: which goal is more likely to come true?

• I will make a lot of money….or
• Six months from now I will be making $10,000 or more each month

If you were to set out on a road trip to visit your great aunt Lucy in Las Vegas, you’d probably never get there unless you knew her exact address, right? I mean Vegas is BIG – and there can be many shiny obstacles that will take you off track….you really need to know exactly where you’re going!

Some of the specific details you want to consider include:

• Beginning and end date
• How much, how many
  
• How will you measure your success
• Exact plan of action
• Small, manageable steps

Let’s take for example a goal to “lose weight”. Which goal is more likely to come to fruition?

• I want to lose weight……or
• I want to lose 20 pounds between today and (2 months from today). This will require me to lose two and a half pounds each week. In order to do so, I will walk 3 miles, six days a week and consume between 1500 and 1700 calories each day. By (end date) I will weigh (goal weight) and fit into a size (desired size) jeans.

Sounds like a ridiculous question, right? Maybe….but really, many of us have never learned how to write goals that are specific and detailed – and many of us have suffered from this seemingly simple omission.

How to Write Goals – Don’t Miss This One Crucial Step!!!

It’s all about the story. As I’ve shared in the video, you will reap amazing benefits when you take the crucial step of weaving all of your goals into a story….Your story.

Take as much time as you need to create a beautiful, picture perfect image of your life just as you want it, and commit it to paper. Write it in the present tense. Record the details, your thoughts and feelings, and make it incredible. I went out and found a beautiful journal just for this purpose.

OK….you’re almost done. It’s on paper, but will soon become a part of you when you take this final step. READ IT, on a daily basis! Even if you take just a few minutes every day to read a few pages, this is powerful. As you read it, envision yourself living this glorious life, feel the feelings you’ve associated with your new success, and believe it is possible.

Once you have your goals set be sure to take the advice given by Jeff Olson in The Slight Edge, to make solidify your desires through daily action.

Now go out and make it happen!

Please share this post with others who will benefit from knowing how to write goals that Will become reality. Thanks….and if you have any goal setting tips you’d like to share, we’d love to hear them.

Regardless of where you are in life, it could be time to face your fears. My experiences have taught me several things about fears:

• Everyone has them
• They are number one in the dream stealer department
• Everyone can conquer them

When you take charge, look them straight in the eye, and face your fears, you can accomplish almost anything!

I spent the day at Busch Gardens today, where I conquered Sheikra!

The most intense of the Busch Gardens roller coasters, this monster ride climbs slowly and steadily up 200 feet then comes to a complete stop for 4 seconds. My son Dylan claims this is in order to give you time to contemplate your life, as you hover just at the edge of the 90 degree drop that is in store for you.

If you like roller coaster videos you’ll love my intro – and you’ll have a chance to get a taste of one of the demons I’ve just laid to rest!

Here I also share one of the fears that has wreaked havoc in my business in the past, and a golden nugget that I learned from The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olson, that has helped me to lay that one to rest.

Many of us struggle with overcoming fears that are based on self doubt and insecurity, which can be devastating to us as entrepreneurs. These can be the most difficult to tackle, but with the right set of tools and proper mindset and understanding it can be done.

Do you have any fears that are holding you back from creating the life you desire and deserve? Please share with us your experiences, and what you will do or have done to face your fears.

Dr. Wayne Dyer Power of Intention
The Power of Kindness

In his life altering book The Power of Intention, Dr. Wayne Dyer shares with us 7 principles of living that will help each of us to remain connected to Intention and live the lives we were meant to live. These are:

• Be Creative
• Be Kind
• Be Love
• Be Beauty
• Be Ever Expansive
• Be Abundant
• Be Receptive

The lesson to be learned in The Power of Intention is that each of us is born with pure, positive Intention. In every moment of our lives we are given the choice to remain connected to that Intention, which I personally believe is the spirit of God that resides within us, or to allow our egos to dominate the choices we make.

It is in remaining connected to the power of intention, denying the ego, that we ultimately come to live in peace, abundance, and joy, which in turn affects our loved ones and the world around us.

This post is by no means meant to be a complete review of the Dr. Wayne Dyer Power of Intention book; I may do that at another time.  Here I focus mainly on what I personally have found to be one of the most important components of remaining connected to Intention, that of kindness.

Be sure to check out the video above, and let me know how the story I share has touched your heart.

Short and simple…..if you haven’t given yourself permission to receive, you’re sending messages to other people and to the Universe that WILL interfere with your ability to live your best life, the one you want and deserve.

I shot this video a couple of months back while on a cruise somewhere in the Caribbean. What a great time to reflect on the importance of receiving graciously!

I share a story here about a giving and receiving exercise that I once participated in, and the surprising results.

Bottom line here, most of us have been taught that it is better to give than to receive and yes, this may be true. But when we deny ourselves the gifts that are out there for us, we:

• Deny others the opportunity to give
• Devalue ourselves and our worthiness
• Allow our ego-based pride to sabotage our lives
• Create mental blocks that will prevent us from having all we deserve
• Shut ourselves off from the flowing abundance of the Universe

Be sure to check out the short video above for a special treat at the end – my gift to you!

And please let me know, do you truly give yourself permission to receive all that your life has in store for you? If not, what are some of the blocks that are keeping you from allowing spectacular gifts into your life, and what changes are you willing to make in order to open yourself to the flow of all that is good?

Namaste, my friends!