Prosperity In Hard Times

Now is the perfect time to have a discussion about prosperity. Economic advisors and forecasters are saying  now is the perfect time to start a new business, invest in real-estate, go back to school, and go green. These things may be true, but you can also build a house without the proper tools and materials, but it won’t stand for long.

More people are making money on the get rich quick scene than ever before, because rather than adjust in difficult times most people want to avoid the difficulty that is facing them. Like a child learning to walk, new challenges force us to gain balance on weak and wobbly legs. It is like trying to learn to walk for the first time or learning to walk again after a serious accident; you don’t quite trust your own legs will hold you up. The biggest blow to many peoples lives over  the last couple of years has not been just to  their bank account , but in their self confidence. The truth is that we human beings are capable of dealing with a lot more than we care to admit.

We have endured wars, disease, wild beasts and natural disasters, now another natural disaster is here to force us once again to greatness. Economic disasters like the great depression, and now the great recession are a type of natural disaster. You may be thinking what in the heck I am talking about, so let me explain. Clearly the Maddoff scandal took place due to the nature of mankind. There is no way anyone can deny that-greed- caused people who invested tens of thousands and in some cases millions to overlook the possibility that something was wrong. The types of returns this man was able to deliver on investments that no other financial organization could deliver created a don’t ask don’t tell scenario, and it was-greed-that allowed this fiasco to continue until Peter had nothing left to pay Paul. In the end human nature is what destroyed the system we trusted in.

There are however some people who lost nothing and some who did lose money, but did not lose their balance, or self esteem. This is the type of prosperity in hard times that would be wise to imitate. Prosperity to me exists in many forms and hopefully we have learned financial prosperity is the most risky basket to put your eggs in. In essence there is no one answer to what prosperity is, and I intend to prove it. I will be going on a quest to find out if I am the only one who thinks we have been sold down the -prosperity- river as a nation and as human beings in general. “I believe that prosperity is equal to quality of life, not quantity of material possessions.”

Having a positive, balanced, healthy perspective of who you are, and on life  is going to allow you to prosper in the hardest of times. In order to create this type of balance you have to be able to first accept yourself no matter what situation you may find yourself in. You must be able to do this so the moment you are living, which may not be a good one does not consume your inner fire. The key to a powerful you is self -acceptance. To be content or as I say to “Be You” is liberating once you begin the practice. Outside opinions, bosses, co-workers, and yes family who are constantly trying to tell you how live your life have no power when you are not moved by their negative review of your life choices. I don’t mean to say that we should live in opposition to what everyone else says, I learned that you have to filter what you decide to take in. Even a good cup of coffee has to be filtered.

Choose your friends carefully, because you don’t get to choose your family. While as I said “you can’t choose your family” you can choose your career, boss, your spouse or significant other, your church, and the next networking group you decide to join. Be sure that what you choose fits the lifestyle you want to create and if you don’t know what kind of lifestyle you really want- Get help!. There are image consultants, business consultants, and life coaches who can help steer you in the right direction. Pay attention to the negative emotions- that feed thoughts- that become behavior- that ultimately can destroy your quality of life. Emotions are real, but you have to learn to deal with them in a healthy way. I believe that peace is achieved not by rising above certain circumstances but by- digging deep - inside to anchor who you truly are regardless of whatever circumstances life may bring your way. Remember Your prosperity begins with You.

Thank you for reading and until next time “Be You”…

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