Posts tagged Abundance
Proverbs 14 – Blessings for the Trustworthy Witness
Dec 10th
Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
~Proverbs 14:10 (NIV).
The usual suspects combine again in this chapter: diligence, exhortations to truth, approaches to wealth, the role of advice etc.
Diligence is Abundance
The first four verses speak roundly about diligence and the benefits of being morally upright in our approach to life. Quite plainly, there is abundance in the affairs of one whom walks with an attentive gait, the way of life. Respect in both speech and their ways apportioned to God-faith are the diligently-true and authentically humble found.
The Truthful Walk Straightly
Verses 5-9 have the straight thread of honesty woven through them, punishing deceit. Not only does the foolish mocker look in the wrong places for wisdom, their foolishness has blinded them to the truth that’s quite easy to see if they honestly looked. They aren’t realistically that interested in finding it. This sort of person is never a good mentor. The prudent, on the other hand, always give much honest thought to their ways.
Advice on Handling Wealth
Neighbours and wealth combine in verses 20-24. The nature of life is folly because it has little regard for the neighbour generally. Wisdom is, however, the constant consideration and respect of one’s neighbour.
And who is one’s neighbour? Well, one example is the wise always reach out to the needy. Their loving compassion drives them. And compassion converts to work, flipping us back to that continual ‘diligence’ refrain known right throughout Proverbs.
At several points this chapter initiates the discussion about our attitude to the poor – for instance, verses 20 and 31 – and it also opens up a theme that will recur from now until later, particularly into Proverbs chapters 20-31. This theme is one of monarchy and nationhood, and verses 26-35 speak about the character of kingdom, and particularly what role wisdom has in the reign of a monarchy.
Of course, we should know that there are ‘monarchies’ everywhere in life; not simply do they appear in palaces or as the head of one entire nation.
Each Heart is Unique
The foremost proverb (verse 10) at the very top is intriguing as it stands out from this collection, a bit like a sore thumb, but pleasantly so. It speaks such an obscure and rational truth.
Bitterness and joy only one heart can know. For the next, there’s an altogether different resonance to that same stimuli of both bitterness and joy. No one can truly step into another’s shoes.
Copyright (c) 2010 S. J. Wickham.
EFT Tapping: My Family Doesn’t Approve of Me
Oct 31st
One of the more common limiting beliefs people hold is that, “My family doesn’t approve of me.”
You may be aware that you believe your family doesn’t approve of you, or you may carry the belief around just under the surface of your consciousness, not really aware that you hold the belief.
Where do you get that belief?
It can be picked up when you’re an infant, before you have the ability to put thoughts into words. As a baby, youinterpretedthe facial expression, tone of voice and emotions of those around you.
Even in the womb, if your mother didn’t want to be pregnant or to have a baby, you could have picked up that belief.
As an infant, when those around you felt upset or angry, you felt their emotions. When the look on someone’s face was disaproving, you felt that disapproval.
Later, after you learned words, you interpreted their anger, disaproval or scolding as, “I’m bad. I’m not a good kid. There’s something wrong with me. I’m not ok.”
For many of us, we were told explicitly that we weren’t approved of.
What disapproving things were you told as a child?
As an adult, we might think, “My family doesn’t approve of me. I’m inadequate. I’m defective.”
Beliefs are simply thoughts that are repeated over and over and held to be true.
You can think of a belief as an obsessive thought. Or an unquestioned thought. We don’t generally question our beliefs; we just assume them to be true.
We often aren’t even aware of our beliefs, as they are so familiar to us. It’s difficult to question something you aren’t even aware of!
Are beliefs true?
A belief is no more true than another thought. In actuality thoughts and beliefs are neither true nor false. They simply are.
But beliefs have great power. Our beliefs have power because we don’t question them. We live our lives based on them. They influence our health, happiness and abundance in all areas of our lives.
Most of your beliefs are limiting. Do you have beliefs about how wealthy you can become?
How about how long you’ll live?
How about your limits because of your gender, your age, your race, your nationality, your education, your intelligence?
Your beliefs keep you from trying new things, from living as you dream, from making the income you’d love to make, from succeeding in areas you only dare to try.
Changing Beliefs Changing your beliefs can be challenging.
First you must discover just what your beliefs are.
Two ways to discover your beliefs are by observing your judgments and by noticing your disturbing emotions.
Under those will be limiting beliefs.
Then you can use the process of EFT tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques) to release limiting beliefs and instill new, more empowering beliefs.
