Inspiration Content

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 16, 2002

I recently went on a date with this guy I met online. We had been emailing for a few weeks before we decided to go out together.

We met at a restaurant, and he brought me a huge vase of flowers. He was sweet, polite and gentlemanly toward me and our conversation was good. But I felt embarrassed by all the attention given to me by the waitresses and bus staff regarding the flowers.

That's not even the whole story. You see, at the end of the date, this guy drove me home and got this huge box out of the trunk. He said he had gotten something else besides the flowers. We went in the house, I opened the box, and it was a DVD player!

I told him I couldn't accept such an expensive gift, but he refused to take it back. My family keeps telling me to give it back to him, and that it is morally wrong to keep it. I told him how I felt about the flowers and DVD player, and he just said he gets carried away sometimes.

I don't want to date him anymore, but because he and I have a lot in common I thought we could be friends. He has agreed to be friends, but I still have the DVD player! Part of me wants to keep it because I've wanted one for so long, but I could never afford it because I am unemployed.

I want to do the right thing and give it back, but then again, I want so much to be able to keep it. What do you think?

Ramona

Ramona, people who give something "over the top," usually expect something in retu. That something is usually a thing you would not have given freely in the beginning.

When you create a chink in what is acceptable, you open yourself to all kinds of consequences, and you create a propensity in yourself to act weakly. Accepting this gift makes you look bad. It makes it appear your standards depend on the price being right.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of writing an advice column is this. We get to see so many pattes of behavior repeated again and again. The behavior we see in your letter often ends in one of two places. Either you become vulnerable to men who think they can buy what they want from you, or you end up married to a man you didn't even want to date. Send it back.

Tamara

Catching Fleas

In February 2002 my friend Helen asked to borrow money or the bank would take her house. The money Helen borrowed I was saving for new carpet in my house. When I asked for it back, she said she lent the money to her friend Sandi, who is having an affair on her husband. Helen promised to repay the loan once Sandi repays her.

Helen is also having an affair, and I even covered for her with her husband by saying she was with me. In August I charged the carpet on a no-interest, no-payment credit card. If I don't get the money back by February 2003, I owe the whole amount plus six months of finance charges.

If I take Helen to court, all of this including her cheating will come out in the wash. What can I do to save this friendship and get my money back?

Karen

Karen, we make our own future, but in a way so subtle most of us can't figure it out. Involving yourself with deceitful people in a web of deceit was bound to come back to haunt you. If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

Perhaps a lawyer could help. But if you can't get your money retued, consider it the most valuable lesson you have leaed in a long, long time.

Wayne

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.

It all started early one Sunday moing in September 1997 after a two-minute encounter that would end up changing my life. It was with a man in a red pick up truck with a P.O.W. license plate. We were the only two vehicles on the road that moing.

I had no idea what I was doing with my life it felt out of control. I had just moved to Port Charlotte, Florida from Grand Rapids, Michigan just a few months before. I just picked up and moved with no money, no job - just opened a map book, pointed and moved.

I was 25 years old, super depressed and needed to get away from all those who had defined me my whole life. I don't know what compelled me that moing, up to that point I was pretty much pissed off all the time. I felt misunderstood, judged and unworthy. I was sad.

I had no idea who I was or why I was here, but I remember feeling very lucky and grateful to be in a country where I could go off and find myself. I could take as long as I needed to figure things out and I had the freedom to try as many different things as I needed to until I found my purpose.

I'm sure I looked crazy as I pulled up next to the red pickup and motioned the man to roll down his window. He looked at me very suspiciously. I don't blame him; I was just some punk kid with aggressive facial hair and dark sunglasses.

I think most people would have hesitated, but after one more motion he finally rolled down the window. I asked him, "Are you the P.O.W. on your license plate? "Yes I am", he replied. I took off my glasses and said "Thank you for my freedom." The light tued green and I pulled away.

He caught up to me at the next light and with tears in his eyes, he thanked me! He said "Not one time since I have been back from the war has anyone said that to me, I will never forget you!"

I never got the man's name and I have never seen him again, but the look on his face changed my life. The feeling we shared that day was not of this world, I felt it in my soul. From this experience my life's work was set in motion. To create a way for others to experience the feelings I felt during that chance encounter.

That day I uncovered one of the secrets to life. it's not the love you receive but rather the love you share that makes you truly happy.

� Andy Thompson � All Rights Reserved

Andy Thompson is a writer who enjoys the "growth" part of the Self Growth Process. He recommends the breakthrough 21-day self empowerment program Habit Busting and publishes a quality information packed monthly newsletter. Read more at http://www.BadHabitBreaking101.com/pow/ and sign up for our free 7-day goal setting e-course.

You may reprint this article in your newsletter as long as appears exactly as printed above including the link.

Every year Sister Mary writes and tells me about her work. She helps the less fortunate, and particularly the homeless. This year she sent me a note asking if I would be an angel to someone less fortunate. I smiled as I read the note, me an angel! Angels are special, they do great things. What could I do that would make me an angel?

I didn't have enough money to really make a difference in someone's life. To be an angel I felt that I would need a lot of money so I could truly change someone's life. However, as I sat reflecting on Sister Mary's note, I was thinking back to a course that I took on Continuous Improvement. The whole theme of the course was not to change 1 thing by 1000% BUT to change 1000 things by 1%. All of a sudden Sister Mary's note made sense. If one thousand people sent $10 each, then that would be equal to $10,000.

If each one of us gave only $10. to a charity that helped people who are less fortunate what a difference that would make! At this time of year, I would ask that you be that Angel that helps others by 1%.

All of us have times in our lives when things may not be going so well, yet, we get through those times, and maybe, just maybe, you had 1000 Angels helping you by just that 1%!

Catherine Pulsifer is one of the editors of Words of Wisdom 4 U! where you will find inspirational poems, inspirational quotes, wisdom in words and more! Plus receive our monthly motivational quote calendar free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ote to publishers - please use the text "Words of Wisdom 4 U!" when linking to http://www.wow4u.com Thanks!

You, my friend, are going to die.

What? What kind of motivational tool is that? Real inspiring!

In fact, it is. Our mortality may perhaps be the ultimate inspiration and motivation! If we lived on this earth eteally, we could be procrastinators extraordinaire! We would never have to get anything done because there would always be tomorrow. But alas, we pass on and all we leave are the memories and the lives of others we affected while we were here. Sounds gloomy? In actuality, it is exciting! You see, this gives us purpose (and a deadline, pun intended).

We can choose how we will live on in the hearts and memories of others. We do this by purposing to live lives NOW that make change happen in ourselves, and those around us.

What kind of legacy will you leave? How will your family and friends remember you? How will you leave your descendants in the following areas? Give some thought to them and make some changes. In doing so, you will begin to lock in your legacy.

Emotionally: Have you ever stepped back and asked yourself how you treat other people and how that effects them emotionally. I have four children, all under ten years of age. I am acutely aware that they are being shaped emotionally by how I treat them and teach them how to deal with the world. I am especially aware of this from my own background. I can directly trace my emotional shortcomings to the emotional coolness I felt from my own family. Are you raising emotionally healthy kids who are both independent as well as interdependent? Are you helping your spouse to grow emotionally? Give this some serious thought.

Spiritually: In my mind, the "God" question is the most important. You know, I often hear people say that they are just going to let their kids "figure it out on their own." These same people will show them how to shoot a basketball, trade stocks, and build a tree house, all simply temporal issues, but leave the answers to the biggest question up in the air! Now I am not advocating cramming anything down their throats, just taking the time to helping them find their way. Are you helping and encouraging those around you to find their spiritual life? Are you living an authentic spiritual life that will be your legacy? Give some serious thought to this.

Physically: Now I know what you are thinking: I can't change my genes. They got what they got and they'll have to live with it. To a certain extent this is true. I am 5'11 for the rest of my life. I will never be 6 foot, and neither will my kids. What I am talking about though, is to be examples of taking our physical health seriously. The statistics prove that whatever bad habits you have, your kids are likely to do them as well. Why? Because you are their example. This is why I work to stay physically fit. I work out. I lift weights. I eat right (most of the time - I am a sucker for Breyer's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream). I don't smoke. I want to leave a legacy of health behind for my kids. True, they can still go astray, but I will do my best to give them a good example to follow. Give this some serious thought.

Financially: There are two primary ways you can leave a financial legacy. First, teach your loved ones about how to handle money (some of you may need to lea yourself first). There are just so many good books on the subject, there is no excuse for not knowing how to handle money. Rich Dad, Poor Dad is a good book to start with, or perhaps The Millionaire Next Door. These will teach you the basics. Secondly, you can leave an inheritance. Now let me be clear on this. This does not have to be after you die. In fact, the more you have, the more I believe you ought to give away while you are alive.

Let's face it, the older you get, the less need you have for money once the basics are taken care of. It always cracks me up that by the time you can afford a big house, your kids are gone and you don't need one! Tu the money over early so you can watch the joy of your loved ones spending, investing and giving it! This is of course predicated upon the assumption that you have first taught them how to handle it. If you have, then you should give it away while you're alive so you can enjoy seeing your legacy in action! Give your financial inheritance some serious thought.

Relationally: What kind of legacy will you leave in regard to how people you know interact relationally with others. When people look at how you interact with others, will they be better off if they develop the same relational habits? Will your legacy be one of love, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and forgiveness? As you live this life, you will see that your legacy grows after you in those you influence day by day. Give the idea of influencing others relationally some serious thought.

Intellectually: I don't know about you, but I want to challenge people to deeper intellectual thought. In a day and age of People Magazine mentalities, we need people who will challenge us to think deeper. Are you doing anything that will challenge your sphere of influence to intellectual gains? Will those left after you are gone, say that you made them think thoughts they hadn't before? That you challenged them to be smarter? Give this issue some serious thought.

Functionally: Functionally? Yep. It's a catchall word. It is how they function. It is all of the above, rolled into one. How will those you influence actually function? This is to a great degree how you function. Are you well rounded? Are you balanced? Do you keep the main things the main things? Is your life functioning well? Make it your goal to live a balanced, functional life so you can leave a legacy of such. Give your life function some serious thought.

I ended each paragraph with a challenge to think seriously about each. These aren't issues we will solve immediately. They take a lifetime to build and they will ebb and flow. But as you diligently pursue staying on top of them all, you will be locking in that legacy you desire to leave behind!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations tu their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

(excerpted from the New Jim Rohn Weekend Event DVD/CD series)

Is thankfulness a survival skill? Perhaps most of you would respond with, "No, Jim, thankfulness is not key to survival", and I would tend to agree with you. Most of us have probably already solved the necessary problems of survival, gone beyond that and are now working to achieve our desires. But let me give you this key phrase, "Lea to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want." I believe one of the greatest and perhaps one of the simplest lessons in life we can lea is to be thankful for what we have already received and accomplished.

Both the years and the experiences have brought me here to where I stand today, but it is the thankfulness that opened the windows of opportunities, of blessings, of unique experiences to flow my way. My gratitude starts with my parents who raised me, gave me an incredible foundation that has lasted me all of these years and continues with the mentors that I've met along the way who absolutely changed and revolutionized my life, my income, my bank account, my future. I am also very thankful for the people, the associations, for the ideas, for the chance to work and labor, and to produce results, all of that has brought me to this place, to this weekend. I'm grateful for it all.

What a unique opportunity each one of you here has, so many of us; representing different countries, nations and cultures, to appreciate the uniqueness of our own experiences that has brought us all here, together, for these three days to lea new skills and sharpen old ones. For the countries we represent; we have freedom and liberty. These are extraordinary times, about eleven years ago the walls came tumbling down, in Germany, and it started a wave of democracy and freedom like the world has never seen before. We as a country and as a world have so much to be thankful for. Always start with thanksgiving; be thankful for what you already have and see the miracles that come from this one simple act.

Now thankfulness is just the beginning; next, you've got to challenge yourself to produce. Produce more ideas than you need for yourself so you can share and give your ideas away. That is called fruitfulness and abundance. Here's what I think fruitfulness and abundance mean - to go to work on producing more than you need for yourself so you can begin blessing others, blessing your nation and blessing your enterprise. Once abundance starts to come, once someone becomes incredibly productive, it's amazing what the numbers tu out to be. But to begin this incredible process of blessing, it often starts with the act of thanksgiving and gratitude, being thankful for what you already have and for what you've already done. Begin the act of thanksgiving today and watch the miracles flow your way.

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

---

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn Inteational. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

One of Life s Great Lessons Lea to be Thankful for What You Already Have

(excerpted from the New Jim Rohn Weekend Event DVD/CD series)

Is thankfulness a survival skill? Perhaps most of you would respond with, "No, Jim, thankfulness is not key to survival", and I would tend to agree with you. Most of us have probably already solved the necessary problems of survival, gone beyond that and are now working to achieve our desires. But let me give you this key phrase, "Lea to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want." I believe one of the greatest and perhaps one of the simplest lessons in life we can lea is to be thankful for what we have already received and accomplished.

Both the years and the experiences have brought me here to where I stand today, but it is the thankfulness that opened the windows of opportunities, of blessings, of unique experiences to flow my way. My gratitude starts with my parents who raised me, gave me an incredible foundation that has lasted me all of these years and continues with the mentors that I've met along the way who absolutely changed and revolutionized my life, my income, my bank account, my future. I am also very thankful for the people, the associations, for the ideas, for the chance to work and labor, and to produce results, all of that has brought me to this place, to this weekend. I'm grateful for it all.

What a unique opportunity each one of you here has, so many of us; representing different countries, nations and cultures, to appreciate the uniqueness of our own experiences that has brought us all here, together, for these three days to lea new skills and sharpen old ones. For the countries we represent; we have freedom and liberty. These are extraordinary times, about eleven years ago the walls came tumbling down, in Germany, and it started a wave of democracy and freedom like the world has never seen before. We as a country and as a world have so much to be thankful for. Always start with thanksgiving; be thankful for what you already have and see the miracles that come from this one simple act.

Now thankfulness is just the beginning; next, you've got to challenge yourself to produce. Produce more ideas than you need for yourself so you can share and give your ideas away. That is called fruitfulness and abundance. Here's what I think fruitfulness and abundance mean - to go to work on producing more than you need for yourself so you can begin blessing others, blessing your nation and blessing your enterprise. Once abundance starts to come, once someone becomes incredibly productive, it's amazing what the numbers tu out to be. But to begin this incredible process of blessing, it often starts with the act of thanksgiving and gratitude, being thankful for what you already have and for what you've already done. Begin the act of thanksgiving today and watch the miracles flow your way.

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

---

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn Inteational. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

This is a message from an Angel. Can you relate? Is it yours?

Golden light shining in the darkness. That is how the universe sees you.

You give much from the heart and this does not go unnoticed.

I am here to tell you this�the Divine is aware of your good deeds.

Many think in the day to day living that mostly what they do is of no significance... so they continue to walk in their fog�never seeing and never caring... this is not truth.

You care and you reach out to others... always there�always caring...

You do not walk this path alone... I am always with you�standing strongly beside you with the Light of the Divine.

I assist in all things, sometimes you feel my presence with you. I want you to know that I am always with you. Reach out take my hand�whisper... I need you close... and then breathe. You will feel my presence strongly, sometimes even a fragrance you will smell�this I will tell you is myself.

Shine your light brightly.

Sing the praise of the Divine... for you are truly blessed.

I am

These messages come through on a daily basis. Are you listening to the messages that come through for you? That small voice that comes from within. The voice that guides you is your inner knowingness and it can be from your own special Angel assigned to you. The voice that urges you on in a loving, positive way. Angels are with each one of us. Take the time to listen and the beauty will overwhelm you.

� 2005 Sharae Taylor

Sharae Taylor is a well known Intuitive Angel Artist whose paintings are in world wide collections and her works have been exhibited with other well known Angel Artists Andy Lakey ,Donna Terody Sheratan,Gary Markowitz, past art editor of "Angel Times" magazine and K. Martin Kuri, Angel Artist and Author. Sharae has also participated in many Angel Expos and Angel Conferences with other well known Angel Authors like Alma Daniels author of "Ask Your Angels". Her Angel paintings are featured in the newly released "Angels" DVD by Llewellyn and New World Music and was featured in the February 2005 issue of http://Planetlightworker.com. Sharae is a published author in magazines and ezines. To view Sharae's Angelic art and for further information visit her website at:http://www.angelsbysharae.com

There are numerous angels listed in both oral and written tradition. The four most commonly known are the archangels. According to Jewish tradition, the four archangels are Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. Each angel is assigned duties to which no other attends, yet as one studies the various angels, one can find contradictions to this principle. The duty of Michael is thought to be that of a messenger of God, that of Gabriel to represent the strength of God, Uriel represents the light of God, and Raphael represents the healing power of God.

The purpose of this article is to outline a method of meditation that includes the guidance of the four archangels. The process involves finding a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Sit with your back upright. This allows your energy to flow up the spine. Notice what is going on in your body. Feel your chest rise and fall as the air enters and leaves with each breath. Notice your breathing, and whenever you notice thoughts coming into your mind, reflect again on the experience of your body and your breathing.

Now call upon the four archangels. Ask Michael to be at your right and be open to any messages God has for you. Ask Gabriel to be on your left side. Many mystics believe that evil or death approaches from the left. Imagine Gabriel is there to protect you during your meditation. Ask Uriel to be in front of you to light the way. Ask Raphael to be behind you to support you while you are sitting in meditation. You may also ask him to help heal you of physical or emotional problems you may be experiencing. The four archangels now surround you and protect you during your meditation. At this point, you can imagine a huge cloud of white light overhead, representing the Shekhina. The Shekhina represents the feminine aspect or nature of God. However you wish to think of it, allow this light to descend on you and surround you with love and tender protection. Allow a feeling of peace to enter your mind. You are in a state of infinite security, safety, and kindness.

Pay attention to your breathing. As you inhale, think the word, Yah (pronounced as Ya), and as you exhale, think the word Weh (pronounced Way). This is considered the sacred name of God, and is derived from the tetragammaton (IHVH, JHVH, YHVH or YHWH, which in Hebrew is Yud Hei Vav Hei). It is the Hebrew tribal name of the Supreme Being, which for fear of desecration, the Jews about three centuries before the birth of Christ, ceased to pronounce. They substituted for it the word, Adonai, which means master. The vowel points that were included as directions on how to read it were misinterpreted and gave rise to the Christian form Jehovah. Thinking the word Yah and Weh as you coordinate the syllables with your breathing will not violate the taboo of pronouncing the word out loud.

Meditate on the word for approximately twenty minutes each moing and evening. When you are ready to end the meditation, do not get up abruptly and go about your daily or evening activities. End the meditation in the reverse order of how you began it. Ask the Shekhina to rise again above your head. Thank each of the archangels in the order that you invited them to take their place around you. Let them go about their duties.

You may feel a lasting effect of this meditation throughout your day, and a peaceful night of sleep. If you do this consistently, you should realize great benefits. You may gain insights into your life and inspiration involving problems you wish to solve. Do not approach the meditation with a view to solving a certain problem, however. It is always best to enter each meditation without an agenda. Let happen whatever is supposed to happen. Trust the archangels and the Shekhina to guide and direct your life.

Dr. Conny Young has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and a Master of Arts degree in Physiology and Biochemistry. He did postgraduate work in Neurophysiology and Phamacology. He worked as a research scientist for a major pharmaceutical company for 17 years before becoming a chiropractor. He attended seminars on Touch for Health, Logan Basic Technique, Bioenergetic Synchronization Technique, Reiki (Level III master), Network Chiropractic, Brimhall 10 Step Protocol and has studied the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Shiatzu, Kiatzu, and Reflexology. He maintained a private practice for 17 years, and taught Neurophysiology and Toxicology at Palmer College of Chiropractic. He conducted research on the effectiveness of energy balancing for the treatment of migraine headaches. Dr. Young has practiced mantra meditation for 31 years, and studied with the Self Realization Fellowship. He has also studied Hebrew and Kabbalah. He can be reached through his websites at: http://www.healthandwellnesssolutionsonline.com and http://www.sugarcitygifts.com