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Why Opulence Matters

One of my most favorite pieces of writing in the whole world is The Spirit of Opulence by Thomas Troward.

It’s a beautiful piece of writing, and it’s something that’s been with me for many years. It’s something I’ve read hundreds if not thousands of times over.

When people first hear the word "opulence," I think they sometimes assign a negative connotation to it. They think of money just for the sake of money.

...But it’s so much more than that.

The spirit of opulence is truly a state of being; it’s a mindset; an attitude.

As Thomas Troward wrote, "The spirit of opulence is precisely the attitude of mind which is furthest removed from the love of money for its own sake."

Over the next few weeks and months, I’m going to be talking a lot about money, because money is a very important tool in our lives.

It’s a tool we use to provide for ourselves and our families, and it’s a tool that we use to do good work in this world.

Money itself is neither good nor bad, it simply is.

It is whatever you assign it to be.

So, let’s go back to this idea of opulence…

I think Thomas Troward states it best when he says, what the spirit of opulence is all about is this generous feeling which does not cause you to ask first, how much am I going to get? But, instead, how much am I going to give?"

When you’re operating from a place of alignment with the spirit of opulence, you are working with an understanding that there is more than enough for everyone.

You don’t need to compete or try to get your "fair share." Let me say it again, there is more than enough for everyone.

So, with that in mind, what is it that you truly desire?

If you can dream freely and fully, without any worry that, by you achieving something, it means somebody else has anything less; if you can dream in this way with no limitations placed on yourself, what would you truly desire to be, do, and have in your life?

What kind of impact in this world would you want to have? How would you want your children and grandchildren to remember you by?

What good work do you desire to do?

This just scratches the surface on the depth of the principles in The Spirit of Opulence, but it at least gets you thinking…

Are you hung up on money? Do you see it as a bad thing? Do you want more of it, but you feel guilty that if you have more, somebody else will have less?

I think it might be time for some self-reflection, to really ask yourself these questions. Because I can tell you - if you’re hung up on money to any degree, you are creating restriction in your life. And that restriction will carry over into every other area of your life.

Stay with me as I continue to unpack these ideas in future messages to come.

Why Should You Dream Big?

Why Should You Dream Big?
“The dreamers are the saviors of the world.” ~ James Allen

Think about that for a moment; the dreamers are the saviors of the world.

How many times in your life have you been told to get your head out of the clouds, to stop dreaming, and to get in touch with reality? How many times have you been told that this is as good as it’s gonna get?

Does any of that sound familiar?

In his book, As a Man Thinketh, James Allen wrote, “The dreamers are the saviors of the world.”
He then went on to say, “The world is beautiful because they have lived. Without them, laboring humanity would perish.”

Again, think about that… The dreamers - those who create a vision, a picture in their mind of a world that is greater than the current one around us; they’re the saviors of the world.

They breathe life into this world; a life that every single one of us must feed from. They bring hope, they bring vitality, they bring loveliness and beauty.

Now, ask yourself: “Am I a dreamer?

Have you allowed yourself to be a dreamer?

I remember back when I was in my early twenties, right when I got the idea to start my cleaning company. I was so stuck in my life, working a dead-end job as a roofer (even though I was scared of heights). Yet, there was a part of me that knew I wanted more.

...And from that part of me, that dreamer within me, I came up with an idea that would allow me to create more in my life.

Maybe you think that it isn’t such a great leap to go from being a roofer to becoming a janitor.

But for me, at that stage of my life, it was the perfect next step for me to take to progress on this journey of life; to move in the direction of becoming more fully aware of my infinite, God-given potential, and the resources within me to live that out.

But let me tell you, I faced major objections.

It was during a Sunday dinner, sitting around the table at my grandmother’s house, when I suddenly blurted out, “I think I’m gonna start a cleaning company.”

At first, there was dead silence. Then all of the sudden, everyone at the table started talking at once.

My grandmother, my mom, my brothers, my sister, my uncle – everyone – began telling me all the reasons why it wouldn’t work, why I couldn’t do it, why I’d be lucky just to get a basic job that would provide just enough to meet my basic needs.

Yet somehow, that part of me, that dreamer within me, was able to put those voices to the side and press forward. I knew I would start my cleaning company.

...And start my cleaning company, I did.

Let me wrap up this message with one more thought from James Allen.

He wrote, “Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will, at last, be built.”

Read that over one more time, and as you do, just remember that you are a dreamer. You were created to be a dreamer; that is the essence of your true nature.

And as you dream, not only will you positively impact and change your own life, but you will be as James Allen so eloquently put it, “one of the saviors of the world.”

The world needs you to dream, and the world needs you to dream BIG.

What is your dream today?

Plant a tree today

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” -Chinese proverb

 This proverb captures an essential truth. Though you may read it and become reminded of the things you wish you would have done 20 years ago, the quote itself is not meant to incite regret inside of you. 

 Instead, it reveals a greater truth about doing things now to reap a harvest later.

 The truth is, time is going to pass, whether or not you’re intentionally doing things today to better yourself.

 Instead of feeling regretful for not taking action 10 or 20 years ago, ask yourself what you’re doing here and now to grow and expand your life; to turn your dreams into reality.

 Ask yourself what you’re doing today to get to where you want to be tomorrow.

 Even if you didn’t take the right steps 20 years ago, the good thing is, another year will pass. Another 10 years will pass. Another 20 years will pass. And when that time comes, you will ask yourself if you took the right steps to better yourself and your future. You will ask yourself if you planted that tree. 

 I want to encourage you with this thought: don’t get discouraged if you don’t see your hard work paying off right away. 

The Law of Gender governs the way we think, behave, and create our lives. And it states that there’s a gestation and incubation period for all things; how we grow, develop, and expand our lives.

 As you begin to take action today, know that your actions will build upon each other and go through a gestation and incubation period before you start to see results. It won’t happen overnight. 

Even if you don’t celebrate the fruits of your labor now,  just as a farmer plants a field of corn, the farmer waters that field day in and day out for weeks, if not months, before he sees any growth (above ground).

 Instead, he understands the Law of Gender. He knows what’s developing beneath the surface, so he provides his field with nutrients for growth. He is patient, and in due time he celebrates the reaping of his harvest.

 I encourage you to plant a tree today so you can celebrate the fruits of your labor in due time.