Receiving Abundant Supply

While I write often about those who resist receiving, there are many people who are trying desperately to receive what they want and/or need.  Almost everyone I know would like to receive more money than they have, and many of them need it to cover their basic living expenses.  Because I frequently get requests for prayers for a greater flow of abundance, I’ve done a lot of research on how to increase supply in whatever form is needed.  For your consideration, here are some key thoughts I’ve found:

-          “Change your mindset from the need to ‘get’ money to being a living representation of prosperity itself.” Wallace Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich  (Focus on what you have, not what you need.  Think of abundance, not lack.)

-          Write on the envelopes of your bills: “I give thanks for your immediate and complete payment. You are immediately and completely paid through rich avenues of Divine Substance.” Catherine Ponder, Open Your Mind to Receive  (Don’t worry about how.  You are the accountant, not the Paymaster.)

-          “God is my supply (not supplier).” H. Emilie Cady, How I Used Truth  (God is health, life, wisdom, strength, courage and so much more.  Don’t those translate into supply?)

-          “When you focus on the experiences you want to have, rather than the money that may (or may not) be required to have those experiences - you will find your desires being fulfilled in a much more effective, efficient, and effortless manner.”  Stephen Lane Taylor, from his new book, Further Down the Stream  (It’s not money we need, but what it can buy - food, electricity, transportation, and so forth.  Imagine already having those things.)

-          “Begin now to talk plenty, think plenty, and give thanks for plenty…Words are also seeds…They grow and bring forth after their kind.” Charles Fillmore, Prosperity  (This was written in 1936, Depression times.  Notice the common theme in all of these quotations?)

Clouded Lenses

Have you heard that what you need or desire is right in front of you? I’ve been told that many times before as people share stories about the ideal partner or job opportunity being in their midst, but they never recognized it. How can we be overlooking something for which we’re searching so hard?

For me, most of the time it’s because my vision is blurred by fear and worry. It’s as if my lenses are clouded over, making it impossible for me to see the good before me. I’m too distracted by worry about what might happen or fear that I haven’t done enough. Ever been there? When I remind myself to stay in the present, I realize that at that moment, I have everything I need. There are only 24 hours in the day, and worry and fear will not enable me to get any more done. If anything, they will inhibit my progress. The day will end whether I worry my way through it or not, so why not choose to live the day without the worry?

Join me right now in appreciating the good things around you. I have a beautiful, peaceful view out my window. I hear birds calling and my computer is working! I feel great and I’m getting lots done. What is there to be afraid of?

Receiving Help: Caregivers’ Lives May Depend on It

I recently took a course on issues and resources for caregivers of dementia patients. Several things I learned in the class startled me:

• Approximately 44 million Americans are unpaid caregivers to older people or adults with disabilities. That’s 18% higher than the population of California in 2010, our most populated state.
• Often unprepared for the demands of caregiving, more than one-third of caregivers suffer from poor health themselves (including heart attack/heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis), at nearly twice the rate of noncaregivers.
• According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, caregivers commonly suffer from burnout, “a physical, emotional, and mental condition marked by any combination of excessive stress, depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, irritability, diminished satisfaction, relationship conflicts, lowered immunity, and excessive use of medications or other substance.”
• Shorter hospital stays tax family caregivers, requiring them to provide higher levels of care at home than in the past.
• Many caregivers are uninsured because the time needed to care for their loved ones prevents them from holding a job that offers health insurance benefits.
• Some 40 to 70% of caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression, and these persist or even worsen after the care-receiver has been placed in a nursing home.
• Caregivers are more inclined to smoke, consume more saturated fat, miss doctor’s appointments, and fail to refill prescription drugs than noncaregivers. (Source: http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver)

Are you a caregiver? How about someone you know? Encourage them to accept all the help that’s available. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to care for our elderly and disabled. Begin by putting the caregivers you know on my mailing list (email me or visit my website to sign them up).

Caregivers Must be Skillful Receivers

As I’ve said repeatedly, we must receive before we can give. When I meet a caregiver, I like to ask them about their ability to receive. Invariably, they tell me that receiving is uncomfortable for them and they’d much rather be giving. Consider this frank statement written about 100 years ago by Myrtle Fillmore, co-founder of the Unity Movement: “Those who need help themselves don’t belong in work where they are continually faced with the problems of others.”

This remark struck me because it reinforces what I’ve been saying: caregivers need to ask for and receive the help they need if they wish to be of assistance to others. This sentiment is echoed by Eric J. Hall, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America in New York City, who said, “I think Americans have trouble asking for help, but you really cannot take care of your loved one by yourself.”

Most, if not all of us at one time or another, are at least part time caregivers for someone. Whether we’re parents, adult children caring for an aging parent, or a spouse tending to a disabled partner, we cannot fill the care-receiver’s needs alone. We must seek out and be willing to accept the help we need, for everyone’s benefit. Sharing the load allows others to give their time, talent, and love. It enriches them and person being cared for, and it gives us the time we need to rest and care for ourselves.

Thankfully, caregivers are getting more attention and support all the time. Don’t let pride, guilt, embarrassment, or unrealistic expectations of yourself keep you from receiving the help you need and deserve.

Children are Joyful Receivers

Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

To learn to receive with grace and ease, we may well want to consider the example of children, who are naturally joyful receivers. Having attended many children’s birthday parties and cared for over 100 children over the years, I’ve seen how easily little ones receive.

They’re not concerned about strings being attached; they show no sign of hesitation or reservation. Often children are so joyful to receive that they laugh and jump up and down with glee, tearing the paper off the package to get to their treasure. Children are skilled at receiving what’s presented in the moment: sometimes it’s the box the gift came in that they appreciate the most! It’s obvious that they feel loved by the way they express their gratitude and love for the giver with a hug.

When is the last time you showed such enthusiasm for a gift? This week let’s accept what’s offered with the excitement of a child. It will bless the giver and open us up for even more good to come our way.